Enviro News Asia, London— The UK government has announced a £10 million investment to support innovative technologies that will enable electric vehicle (EV) charging points to operate without large grid connections, or even completely off-grid.
The initiative aims to overcome grid constraints and accelerate the rollout of charging stations along England’s motorways and major A-roads, including rural areas, ensuring EV drivers can make long-distance journeys with confidence.
Private operators are invited to apply for a share of the funding to develop advanced energy solutions — combining renewable energy sources such as solar with energy storage systems — to reduce the need for costly grid upgrades at hard-to-power locations.
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Keir Mather stated:
“We’re powering up the future of driving with £10 million for cutting-edge tech to get more chargepoints on motorways and major A-roads.
With over 25,000 drivers already switching to electric thanks to discounts of up to £3,750, we’re backing British innovation, boosting jobs, and making EV travel easier than ever.”
Funded projects must support at least 12 EVs with ultra-rapid charging capabilities, delivering 120–145 miles of range in just 15 minutes — enough to drive from Birmingham to York.
The programme builds on the £650 million Electric Car Grant, which has already supported more than 25,000 EV purchases with up to £3,750 in discounts and driven a 29% increase in electric vehicle sales in September.
Additionally, the government plans to simplify installation processes for home chargers, potentially saving drivers £250 in planning fees and enabling households to operate EVs for as little as 2p per mile.
Claire Spooner, Director of Mobility at Innovate UK, added:
“Through this competition, Innovate UK will test new approaches to EV charging power challenges, particularly in rural areas. The outcomes will strengthen collaboration between energy and transport sectors, improving long-distance EV charging infrastructure.” (*)
