The UK Government has unveiled £10m in funding to develop off-grid EV charging stations, boosting electric vehicle adoption and tackling range anxiety nationwide.
The funding package aims to accelerate the development of cutting-edge EV charging stations that can operate without large grid connections — or even completely off-grid.
The initiative will transform how and where drivers can power their electric vehicles, particularly along England’s strategic road network of motorways and major A-roads.
This new investment will fund advanced charging technologies that tap into renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, combined with on-site battery storage systems.
By reducing dependence on costly and time-consuming grid upgrades, the scheme promises to bring ultra-rapid charging capabilities to rural and remote locations where infrastructure has previously been limited.
Tackling grid constraints and range anxiety
A key challenge in the UK’s EV rollout has been the limited availability of high-power grid connections in certain areas.
This funding seeks to overcome those barriers by empowering private operators to design innovative, self-sustaining energy solutions.
Each supported project will need to provide ultra-rapid charging for at least 12 EVs at once – delivering around 120 to 145 miles of range in just 15 minutes. That’s enough to drive from Birmingham to York on a single charge.
For motorists, this means fewer worries about finding a charging point and more confidence to make longer, cleaner journeys.
By enabling more EV charging stations along strategic routes, including rural and hard-to-power sites, the government hopes to eliminate one of the main psychological barriers to electric vehicle ownership: range anxiety.
Drivers will know that wherever they travel in the UK, rapid and reliable charging options will be within reach.
Encouraging private innovation and EV adoption
Private sector operators are now being invited to apply for a share of the £10m fund to develop and deploy these next-generation charging solutions.
The initiative complements the government’s wider efforts to promote EV adoption, including the £650m Electric Car Grant, which has already supported more than 25,000 drivers with discounts of up to £3,750 on 39 eligible electric car models – contributing to a 29% rise in sales this autumn.
UK Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, added: “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 our discounts of up to £3,750, we’re backing British innovation, boosting jobs and making EV travel easier than ever.”
Building a cleaner, cheaper future for drivers
The government is also consulting on plans to simplify regulations for installing home chargers, especially for renters and residents without driveways.
Proposed changes could cut £250 in planning fees and allow more households to run their vehicles for as little as 2p per mile – just £2.50 for a trip from London to Birmingham.
Together, these initiatives signal a major leap toward a sustainable transport future, ensuring the UK’s growing network of EV charging stations keeps pace with rising demand and drives the nation confidently into its electric era.
