While many are busy making predictions about Britain's charging network, fleet managers need practical answers for today. Which emerging charging solutions will actually make a difference? And how can you stay flexible while the technology catches up with the headlines?
In this article, we'll spotlight the charging developments that we feel hold potential for fleet operations, and show you how EV rental offers a smart way to adapt as the network grows.
Trend 1: Expansion of On-Street Charging Infrastructure
On-street Initiatives like the one in Watford, where the borough council secured a £386,250 grant from the On-Street Residential Scheme to install 24 twin charge points and 40 lamp column charge points, indicate a trend toward expanding accessible charging infrastructure in urban areas.
This expansion aims to address the growing demand for convenient charging options for EV owners, particularly those without access to private charging facilities.
Companies like Trojan Energy are also contributing to this development, securing £26 million in funding to deploy thousands of chargers integrated into pavements across the UK.
Trend 2: Cooperation for Network Expansion
Partnerships between companies like Greenflux and Clenergy EV, which added 4,000 new charge points in the UK, show a trend of collaboration to expand charging networks, enhancing accessibility and interoperability for EV drivers.
These collaborations are crucial in ensuring an efficient charging experience and promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
ChargeGuru UK's fully funded solution to provide EV charging infrastructure for apartment blocks across the UK is another example of cooperation aimed at increasing access to charging facilities.
Trend 3: Government Support and Regulations
While the previous Conservative government had allocated significant funds for public charger installation, including ultra-rapid chargers, the new Labour government has reaffirmed and expanded on these commitments. Labour has maintained the ambitious target of having 300,000 public charging points by 2030. To achieve this, they plan to designate charging infrastructure projects as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, streamlining the approval process and expediting development.
The new administration is focusing on both quantity and quality of charging infrastructure. They aim to fix existing charging networks and set clear battery standards to boost consumer confidence. Labour has proposed mandatory 'Electric Vehicle Confident' labels for new EVs, providing transparent information on environmental impact, real-world battery range, and expected battery lifespan.
Furthermore, Labour plans to use the National Wealth Fund to part-finance new gigafactories, aiming to increase domestic battery manufacturing capacity. This strategy is expected to create 80,000 new jobs and add £30bn to the economy.
These efforts, building on previous initiatives, align with Labour's accelerated target of banning new petrol and diesel vehicle sales by 2030, reinvigorating the UK's commitment to rapid EV adoption and sustainable transport solutions.
Trend 4: Shared Use of Charging Infrastructure
Initiatives by companies like DPD and Royal Mail to allow other fleet operators access to their charging facilities indicate a trend toward shared use of charging infrastructure. The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) is actively exploring ways to address the challenges and logistics of shared charging, including payment mechanisms and access scheduling.
This collaborative approach aims to maximise the utilisation of existing charging resources and promote efficiency in the EV ecosystem.
Trend 5: Technology Integration and Automation
Testing of driverless EV charging technology by companies like Bosch and Cariad reflects a trend toward integrating automation into charging processes. Bosch's automated valet charging system, developed in collaboration with Volkswagen's subsidiary Cariad, guides driverless EVs to designated parking spaces equipped with charging points, where a charging robot autonomously connects the vehicle to the charger.
This technology aims to increase efficiency and convenience for EV owners by automating the parking and charging process.
Trend 6: Innovative Charging Solutions
Innovations such as Coventry University's Dynacov project, which investigates dynamic wireless charging for EVs on the move using metal coils fitted beneath the road surface, suggest a trend toward developing diverse and innovative charging solutions.
These advancements aim to address concerns like range anxiety and infrastructure clutter, making EV charging more accessible and convenient.
Trend 7: Focus on Charging Speed and Efficiency
Partnerships like Volvo's collaboration with Breathe Battery Technologies to incorporate Breathe's patented charging software into its new-generation fully electric cars indicate a trend toward enhancing charging speed and efficiency. Breathe's adaptive charging techniques optimise the charging process, resulting in shorter charging durations while safeguarding battery health.
Similarly, Huawei's ambitious goal to transition all EVs to high voltage charging and achieve a charging speed of 1 kilometre per second demonstrates the industry's focus on improving charging performance to meet the growing demand for EVs.
Trend 8: Diversification of Investments
Major oil organisations like BP and Total Energies are making significant investments in the EV charging market, aiming to diversify their businesses and capitalise on the growing popularity of EVs. Shell has become a major operator of EV charging networks through acquisitions and investments, while BP acquired Chargemaster in 2018 and rebranded it as BP Pulse.
These investments demonstrate a trend of adaptation to the changing energy landscape and the recognition of the long-term potential of the EV market.
Benefits of EV Rentals
Keeping up to date with the constant changes in charging infrastructure and technology while managing fleet operations can be challenging. While the progress is promising, many organisations are seeking ways to test these advances without committing to permanent fleet changes. This is where flexible EV rental solutions offer a strategic advantage.
Fleetondemand's EV Plus service offers businesses a unique opportunity to trial electric vehicles without the risk of long-term commitment. With access to our extensive network of over 400,000 vehicles across 1,500+ locations UK-wide, organisations can test EVs in real-world conditions before making permanent fleet decisions.
Key benefits include:
- Flexible rental periods of 90+ days
- No upfront costs with monthly payments in arrears
- Comprehensive maintenance and breakdown coverage
- Nationwide delivery to a home or office address
- 25,000-mile annual allowance
- Ability to switch vehicles with two week's notice after the initial hire period
This flexibility makes EV rental ideal for testing different models, supporting temporary staff, or managing fleet size according to business demands while gathering valuable real-world data on performance and costs.
Want to learn more about our thoughts on the EV transition?
Read our full guide to electrifying your fleet to learn more about how you can successfully integrate electric vehicles and take advantage of flexible rental here.
And if you're interested to see how our game-changing EV rental solutions can work for your fleet, book a demo with our team today. We'll show you first-hand how we can help you unlock the full potential of electrification and achieve your sustainability goals, without all the risk.
