Net Zero News: MFG Completes Morrisons EV Retrofit Roll-Out

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Today, Net Zero News can reveal that Motor Fuel Group (MFG) has completed its rollout of rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging bays across the entire Morrisons forecourt network, marking a significant milestone for low-carbon transport infrastructure.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, retail giant Morrisons and forecourt operator MFG have finished installing rapid chargers at all 370 Morrisons sites nationwide by late October 2025. The programme, which began in early 2024, involves 7,000kW combined charging units capable of replenishing most EV batteries from 20 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes.

Net Zero News understands this forms part of MFG’s broader strategy to deliver 600 rapid and ultra-rapid sites by 2027, supporting the government’s ambition to ban new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Each charger location also features dedicated parking bays, contactless payment systems and real-time charger availability monitoring through MFG’s mobile app.

The expansion of high-power charging at Morrisons forecourts bolsters public confidence in EV adoption by addressing range anxiety with easily accessible, fast-charge hubs situated off major arterial routes. According to industry data, the new chargers could avoid up to 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, based on projected utilisation rates. In addition to environmental benefits, these installations are expected to generate approximately 150 full-time-equivalent jobs across maintenance, customer support and electrical infrastructure upgrades.

Key stakeholders in this venture include MFG, Morrisons, charge point manufacturer HyperCharge Solutions and distribution network operators across multiple regions. The total investment exceeds £120 million, funded through a mix of corporate capital and a £15 million grant secured under the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) Rapid Charging Fund. MFG’s programme delivery team worked closely with local authorities to expedite planning consents and grid connections, ensuring minimal disruption to existing forecourt operations.

Net Zero News understands this initiative aligns with the UK government’s Energy Security Strategy and decarbonisation targets set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan. It also echoes commitments in the 2023 UK Infrastructure Bank investment framework, which prioritises projects that reduce carbon intensity in the built environment and transport sectors. At a regional level, the chargers support Scotland’s ambition to have 1 in 5 vehicles electric by 2030, as highlighted in the recent Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference discussion.

Local communities stand to benefit from both cleaner air and enhanced energy security. Smaller businesses near widened forecourts can expect increased footfall as drivers plan longer pauses for dining or shopping while their vehicles charge. Nevertheless, integrating high-power chargers has required new approaches to grid management and the installation of energy storage systems to buffer peak demand, offering a testbed for innovations in smart, resilient energy networks.

For commercial fleets operating out of Morrisons locations, the availability of ultra-rapid chargers presents an opportunity to transition delivery vans and small logistics vehicles to electric without compromising operational timetables. Net Zero News previously reported on fleet electrification incentives that, combined with this charging infrastructure, could reduce annual operating costs by up to 30 percent compared to diesel vehicles.

Looking ahead, MFG plans to upgrade 50 of the Morrisons charge points to 350kW ultra-rapid capacity by mid-2026, enabling next-generation EVs with 800V architectures to charge at maximum speed. The firm will also trial vehicle-to-grid technology at selected sites, allowing parked EVs to feed stored energy back to local grids during peak usage periods.

For more details on how public and private sectors are collaborating to accelerate EV infrastructure growth, see our feature on the UK’s evolving charging landscape. To explore the role of supermarkets in decarbonising transport, read our analysis of the Morrisons sustainable energy scheme. If you’re interested in joining the conversation on regional net-zero developments, register today for the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference (https://www.net-zero.scot/private-sector-register) and connect with peers shaping the UK’s low-carbon future.

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