Net-Zero Retrofit Funding Spurs Hydrogen Heat Network & EV Growth

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Net Zero News can reveal that Norwegian EV charging specialist Zaptec has unveiled a refreshed brand identity as it prepares to deepen its footprint across the UK market. The announcement comes as part of a broader strategy to deliver smart, modular charging solutions tailored to Britain’s accelerating electric vehicle rollout.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, Zaptec launched its new brand platform at an industry event in London on 15 October. The overhaul encompasses a unified visual identity, simplified product naming and a commitment to an integrated charging “ecosystem” that spans residential, commercial and municipal applications. Zaptec’s strengthened positioning follows the company’s recent success in Scandinavian markets and marks its first major push onto UK soil.

Zaptec’s hardware features compact, scalable chargers that can be networked via cloud-based software. Each unit delivers up to 22 kW of power and supports dynamic load-balancing, allowing multiple vehicles to charge simultaneously without overloading local electrical infrastructure. The brand revamp emphasises design refinements aimed at easier installation and maintenance by certified installers, aligning with the UK government’s target of 300,000 public charge points by 2030 under the Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

This matters because the UK faces a critical need to expand its charging network ahead of the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales in 2035. By offering modular solutions that can grow with demand, Zaptec aims to address range-anxiety challenges and accelerate EV uptake. Net Zero News understands this forms part of a wider push to reduce CO₂ emissions from road transport, which accounted for 21 per cent of UK domestic greenhouse gases in 2022. Early trials suggest a 40 per cent increase in charge-point utilisation rates when powered by smart-charging algorithms like those in Zaptec’s suite.

Funding for the UK expansion will come from a combination of private investment and grant support, including a £5 million award from Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme. Zaptec is collaborating with local authorities in Manchester and Bristol to deploy its first British charge hubs, and it has secured partnerships with national installers such as Pod Point and Elektromotive. The company estimates its initial roll-out will create over 100 direct jobs in sales, engineering and customer service by mid-2026.

Net Zero News understands this launch aligns with the government’s broader EV Infrastructure Strategy, which seeks to streamline planning permissions and encourage private-sector roll-outs. Zaptec’s push also dovetails with Ofgem’s recent consultation on grid flexibility, as the company’s load-management features can help balance supply and demand on local networks—echoing themes from our recent coverage of the National Grid’s upgrade plans.

Communities across the UK are poised to benefit from more reliable and user-friendly charge points. Municipal fleets and property developers have expressed interest in Zaptec’s solutions, especially for multi-unit housing where shared charging is often a logistical challenge. While installers welcome the brand’s clarity on products and services, some stakeholders caution that local grid constraints could slow deployment—a concern flagged in our earlier report on the UK government’s EV-charging fund.

Looking ahead, Zaptec plans a series of demonstration days at select UK sites in early 2025, followed by a full commercial launch in Summer 2025. Net Zero News will track these milestones and share insights from the pilot programmes as they progress. For those interested in peer discussions, don’t miss the Net Zero Club’s upcoming EV Infrastructure Summit (https://www.net-zeroclub.co.uk/events/ev-infrastructure-summit) where industry leaders will gather to debate best practices and emerging technologies.

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