UK Government Launches £10 Million Fund to Develop Off-Grid EV Chargepoint Technology
The UK government has unveiled a new £10 million competition aimed at helping electric-vehicle (EV) charging points operate without major grid connections or even fully off-grid. Announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) on 3 November 2025, the initiative is designed to accelerate the rollout of ultra-rapid charging technology on motorways and major A-roads in England’s more remote and grid-constrained areas.
What the fund covers
The fund will support companies and research organisations developing charging stations that rely on renewable-energy sources such as solar panels, battery storage or micro-grid installations. According to the DfT press release, projects must enable at least 12 EVs to access ultra-rapid charging via technology solutions that reduce dependence on expensive and time-consuming grid upgrades.
Applications will be managed via Innovate UK in partnership with the DfT and are open until 25 March 2026. The department says the funding aims to support the government’s broader EV-infrastructure strategy, including the goal of enabling longer journeys and reducing “range anxiety” for drivers beyond urban centres.
Government view: tackling infrastructure bottlenecks
Transport Minister Keir Mather stated: “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.” He added that the move targets “harder-to-power locations” where grid connections are often delayed or prohibitively costly.
Why the extra funding matters
Although public EV chargepoints in the UK have grown rapidly, the DfT reports more than 86 000 in place, a 23 percent year-on-year increase though regional disparities remain. The Public Accounts Committee described the rollout as “London-heavy,” and Zap-Map data for Q3 2025 shows nearly four in ten public chargepoints are located in Greater London and the South East.
Many motorway or A-road sites are ready for charger installations but face multi-year delays for grid upgrades. Analysts warn that unless charging infrastructure keeps pace with EV adoption, consumer confidence could stall. The new fund is aimed at addressing three key bottlenecks:
- Grid bottlenecks: Allowing chargers to operate with solar, storage or micro-grids helps bypass long connection waits.
- Rural and corridor coverage: Ensuring strategic roads and regions outside city centres receive high-speed charging options.
- Stimulating innovation and investment: By sharing risk, the fund encourages private firms to develop advanced chargepoint technologies.
Industry reaction
Claire Spooner, Innovation Lead for Mobility at Innovate UK, said: “This fund gives UK innovators the opportunity to develop solutions that will make EV charging easier and more accessible, especially in areas where the grid can’t yet cope. We’re looking forward to seeing ideas that combine clean energy with practical deployment.”
Trade bodies also responded positively. ChargeUK posted on X: “Positive step 🚀,” while TechUK called the move a “Smart move on off-grid tech 👍,” reflecting broad support across the clean-mobility sector.
Net-zero and longer-term implications
The funding comes amid the UK’s efforts to achieve its 2035 target for phasing out new petrol and diesel cars. The government’s 2022 EV Infrastructure Strategy set out a vision for tens of thousands of ultra-rapid chargers on strategic roads. Industry experts have warned that although the overall number of chargepoints is rising, the spread of high-power chargers remains uneven.
By focusing on technology to enable chargers in difficult-to-connect sites, the government aims to accelerate deployment in locations where waiting for grid upgrades would otherwise delay access. In doing so, it hopes to improve driver confidence in EVs, particularly for longer journeys outside metropolitan areas. However, success will depend on whether funded projects scale, are cost-effective and deliver the promised performance. The National Audit Office noted that some past programmes encountered delays and resource issues.
What to watch next
Applicants will likely be announced in mid-2026, with demonstrator projects expected in operation soon afterwards. Close monitoring will focus on whether the scheme supports strategic corridors and demonstrates significant grid-independent charging performance.
Additional metrics to track include:
- Number of sites delivered compared with plan
- Percentage located outside major urban clusters
- Reduction in grid-connection lead time compared with standard installations
- Impact on long-distance EV adoption rates
Bottom line
The £10 million fund marks a tactical shift in EV-infrastructure policy from simply increasing charger numbers to enabling deployment where the grid cannot keep pace. For the UK to meet its net-zero objectives and maintain consumer confidence in electric transport, it must ensure that high-power charging is available not just in cities but on long journeys and in rural regions. How effectively this fund bridges that gap will be a key test of the government’s ambition.
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Author: Fidelis News Desk | Date: 3 November 2025
