Net Zero News: Roam raises £65m net-zero funding for EV retrofit

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Today we report on a landmark corporate debt financing that promises to fast-track the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country.

Net Zero News can reveal that Roam, a leading operator of electric vehicle fast-charging sites, has secured £65 million in debt funding from a consortium comprising the National Wealth Fund, NatWest and Triodos Bank UK. The transaction, one of the first dedicated corporate debt deals for UK EV fast-charging, was signed in November and is set to accelerate site roll-out throughout 2025 and 2026.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, Roam plans to deploy the funds to install hundreds of additional ultra-rapid charging points at motorway service areas, urban hubs and rural locations. The company’s network currently spans key corridors in England, Scotland and Wales, offering chargers capable of delivering up to 350 kW to each vehicle. By expanding to underserved regions, Roam aims to bolster driver confidence and reduce range anxiety as EV adoption climbs.

This development ties directly into the UK’s target of banning sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Department for Transport’s 2035 Road to Zero strategy highlighted the need for widespread charging infrastructure, estimating that the UK will require at least 300,000 public chargepoints by the end of the decade. Roam’s new funding injection will contribute significantly towards meeting that gap.

The importance of this deal extends beyond simple network growth. By facilitating greater access to ultra-rapid charging, it supports decarbonisation of road transport, which accounted for nearly a quarter of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Roam anticipates that its enhanced network will enable annual CO₂ savings equivalent to removing thousands of petrol cars from the roads, advancing the national journey towards cleaner mobility.

Key stakeholders in the transaction include the UK government-backed National Wealth Fund, which seeks to deploy capital to strategic green infrastructure; NatWest, one of the country’s largest commercial banks; and Triodos Bank UK, a specialist in sustainable financing. The consortium’s combined expertise and long-term lending horizons provide Roam with the financial stability and sector insight necessary to deliver rapid, quality installations.

Net Zero News understands this debt facility forms part of a broader funding landscape for EV charging. Alongside private investment, recent government grants and subsidies such as the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme and the Rapid Charging Fund have laid groundwork for commercial players to scale. Roam’s approach of blending public-and-private support reflects an emerging model for resilient infrastructure deployment.

Communities across the UK are set to benefit from improved access to clean transport options. Rural businesses expect increased footfall as EV drivers seek reliable charging away from city centres, while local authorities welcome the economic stimulus and reduced air pollution. At the same time, Roam aims to foster job creation through site construction, maintenance roles and station operations.

Industry observers note that Roam’s deal could catalyse further corporate debt financing in the EV sector, lowering borrowing costs and unlocking growth capital for other network operators. As the market matures, diversification of funding sources will be crucial to achieving the scale required for the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

Looking ahead, Roam will use the £65 million facility to commission at least 200 additional ultra-rapid charging stations by the end of 2026. Milestones include new sites on the M4 and M6 corridors, regional expansion into the north of England and strategic partnerships with hospitality venues to integrate charging with customer amenities.

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