£10 million funding for ‘off-grid’ EV charging in England
The funding is specifically designed to allow EV chargers to operate in areas without large grid connections, or even function off-grid. The pool of cash is open to applications from private investors, who can bid for a share of the funds in order to develop new charging solutions.
According to the Department for Transport, this could include “combinations of renewable energy sources such as solar, alongside energy storage systems like batteries, to avoid the need for expensive grid upgrades at ‘harder-to-power’ locations”. Funds will be prioritised for those charging sites in ‘grid-constrained’ sites where high costs or long timescales could delay the introduction of new charge points.
The criteria for applicants hinges on the availability of fast charging: each project must contain capacity for at least 12 EVs to access ultra-rapid DC charging in order to be eligible for funds. Companies must apply via Innovate UK’s website by the 25th March 2025.
Claire Spooner, Innovate UK’s director of mobility, said: “Launching this competition, Innovate UK will test new approaches to the EV charging power challenges on England’s strategic road network, especially in rural areas. The programme’s outcomes will build capability and bring together energy and transport stakeholders to improve EV charging for longer journeys.”
The funding announcement comes amid a number of other changes to UK government policy on EV charging, which has seen both positive and negative shifts in tone. Last week, the Department for Transport announced plans to ‘cut red tape’ around the installation of on-street EV chargers. However, on the flipside, the UK’s EV charging sector could also soon face steep increases in tax.
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