UK EV Charging and Zero‑Emission Fleets Accelerate UK Transport Decarbonisation

Welcome to Net Zero News, your daily briefing on the UK’s transition to a low‑carbon future.

The UK’s transition to net‑zero in transport is gaining pace with several significant developments across charging infrastructure, fleet transformation and policy commitments.

Public EV charging infrastructure continues its rapid expansion, reflecting both urban and regional demand growth. In the first half of 2025, the UK added 8,670 new public charge points 27% increase year-on-year bringing the total to approximately 82,369 devices at over 40,000 locations. Ultra-rapid charge points (150 kW and above) have surged by almost 23%, now numbering over 8,600, and charging hubs (with six or more rapid or ultra-rapid bays) rose to 673 across the country. This trend indicates a shift towards faster, more centralised infrastructure suited to high-demand areas.

By August 2025, that network exceeded 85,000 public charge points, demonstrating sustained month-on-month growth. As of the end of October, there were around 86,800 charging devices across nearly 44,200 locations. Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers accounted for a notable share of recent installations, while the number of charging hubs grew by 31% since the end of 2024.

In London, a novel model of charging infrastructure emerged as Jolt began rolling out an ad-funded public charging network. Under a 15‑year agreement with the Greenwich Borough Council, 30 chargers will be installed across Greenwich, offering 7 kWh of free energy per day about 30 miles of range powered by advertising revenues. This helps bridge the cost gap faced by urban residents without driveways and supports local retail economies.

Meanwhile, the UK’s bus fleet electrification continues apace. Transport for London (TfL) now operates more than 2,000 zero-emission buses roughly 20% of its total fleet marking the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe. Since 2021, all newly introduced TfL buses have been zero-emission, with the goal of a fully zero-emission fleet by 2030. Nationally, in Q1 2025 zero-emission bus registrations doubled year-on-year to 739 units, now making up nearly 30% of the market for buses, coaches and minibuses .

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) decarbonisation is progressing more modestly. Registrations of zero-emission HGVs grew by 59.1% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, with around 183 new units representing roughly 1% of the market. There are 35 zero-emission HGV models available, but to meet the 2035 policy target of all new HGVs up to 26 tonnes being zero-emission, adoption rates must accelerate substantially.

However, infrastructure barriers persist. A study by the SMMT warns that operators may face waits of up to 15 years for grid connections needed to install depot charging for commercial fleets, potentially making electrification impossible within current vehicle lifecycles. The study urges streamlined planning and faster grid access.

On the policy and planning front, the Public Accounts Committee has criticised the Department for Transport for a slow and uneven rollout of public charging. It highlights accessibility challenges for disabled and low-income drivers, regional disparities especially outside London, and delays in local charging schemes all issues that risk embedding inequality in national infrastructure.

What this means:
The UK’s EV ecosystem is accelerating through significant infrastructure deployment, fleet uptake and innovative models. Rapid proliferation of ultra-fast charging and the expansion of hubs are reshaping the network, while initiatives like Jolt’s make EV ownership more inclusive in urban areas. The boom in zero-emission buses marks meaningful public transport decarbonisation. Yet, HGV transition remains slow, and structural bottlenecks like depot grid access and regional inequities could dampen momentum unless addressed. Policymakers must act quickly to support infrastructure deployment, ensure equitable access, and scale transitions across all vehicle types.

Upcoming Events:
Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference -16 June 2026, Edinburgh

Net Zero Nations Projects Conference – 6 October 2026, Westminster

Do you have technologies, innovations or solutions that can help public‑sector net‑zero projects?
Email: lee@net‑zero.scot