The UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium provided a timely and focused examination of one of the most pressing challenges in the energy transition: the delivery of reliable, accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure at scale. As the pace of electrification accelerates, the discussion has moved decisively beyond intent and ambition towards execution.
Published: 9 March 2026
Authors: Gurjit Singh
Bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem, including local authorities, policymakers, network operators, investors and delivery partners, the symposium highlighted both the progress made and the practical constraints that must now be addressed. A consistent message emerged throughout the day: the sector has entered a critical delivery phase, where success will be measured not by strategies or pilots, but by infrastructure deployed on the ground and used effectively by the public.
Where deployment stands now
The UK’s rollout is on track for 2030, with an expectation of approximately 300,000 charge points by 2030, up from circa 30,000 in 2022. As of January 2026, the UK had 116,052 public EV chargers (connectors) and 87,796 public charging devices, up from 16,505 in January 2020. The distinction reflects the fact that many devices have multiple connectors and can charge more than one vehicle simultaneously. As at the end of 2025, delivery was ahead of expected demand for transit and destination chargers and broadly in line with expectations for residential charging, according to the Department for Transport’s Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics (2026).
The delivery decade
Across all sessions, there was a clear acknowledgement that the UK is now in what many described as the delivery decade for EV charging. Strategic frameworks are largely in place; the priority now is translating these into consistent, scalable outcomes. This shift requires greater standardisation, clearer policy alignment and closer collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Two operational dynamics are reinforcing this pivot to delivery at scale. Since capability funding came into force in February 2023, there has been an estimated 350% increase in EVI officer roles across local authorities. This has transformed EVI procurement from fragmented, small-scale exercises into large, coordinated programmes led by trained specialist teams rather than individuals with limited technical expertise. In parallel, these strengthened teams are reshaping commercial approaches. The majority of local authorities now pursue concession contracts, typically structured around 15+1-year terms, with increased use of concession fees and a range of lotting strategies, including large single lots, lotting by technology and lotting by geography.
Leveraging LEVI to accelerate delivery
Standardised, LEVI-backed local authority contracts are proving instrumental in accelerating procurement by reducing complexity and delivery risk while providing greater confidence for private sector participation. LEVI funding is most effective when used as a catalyst rather than as a standalone source of capital. Its primary value lies in attracting and de-risking private investment to support the development of long-term, sustainable charging networks rather than isolated installations.
Early LEVI contracts are already achieving scale. For residents without off-street parking, the pavement channel grant, available since FY 2025/26, has achieved greater than 80% uptake since its inception. This demonstrates both strong latent demand and the importance of compliant, resident-focused solutions that support equitable access to charging.
In practice, LEVI has also influenced commercial preferences. Some authorities, such as Southwark Council, have favoured revenue-share models, which have proven effective and profitable in their local context. Others, including Believ, have prioritised concession-led approaches following LEVI, reflecting the increased availability of private capital. More broadly, LEVI has brought significantly more private sector funding into the market, improving scalability and long-term delivery confidence.
Designing and integrating residential and curbside charging
Residential charging solutions continue to attract significant attention. Speakers consistently emphasised that scalability depends on designing for safety, accessibility and highways compliance from the outset. Early integration of these considerations is essential to achieving widespread adoption and avoiding delays or redesigns later in the delivery process.
This challenge is particularly acute given that around one-third of UK households do not have off-street parking, which remains a structural constraint on EV adoption. Cross-pavement and similar residential solutions must therefore be treated not as standalone interventions, but as infrastructure embedded within the wider regulatory and public realm environment. The strong uptake of the pavement channel grant underlines the importance of providing compliant solutions that work for residents who cannot charge at home.
More broadly, charging infrastructure cannot be planned in isolation from wider transport systems. Effective strategies must align with transport objectives, grid capacity constraints and long-term funding models to ensure that provision reflects actual demand. For curbside charging in particular, success will depend on balancing simplicity and clarity for residents with consistency in local policy and delivery approaches. Without this alignment, there is a risk that well-intentioned deployments fail to scale or deliver the intended benefits.
Enablers of scale in fleet electrification and charging delivery
A pragmatic approach to fleet electrification was evident throughout the symposium, with a strong focus on maximising the utilisation of existing charging assets while preparing strategically for the next phase of EV adoption. This approach is increasingly seen as essential to managing cost and operational risk as fleet operators transition at scale.
Land availability remains a critical constraint on delivery, particularly for high-capacity and hub-based charging. Under the theme of “Securing the Space”, several key messages emerged. Private sector participants, including The EV Network and GRIDSERVE, emphasised the need for local authorities to partner closely with CPOs and to develop a shared understanding of charging portfolios at an early stage. While land-banking has slowed, it has not disappeared, with investors still under pressure to secure sites with future potential, even where existing landholdings have yet to be fully developed. Location continues to matter, but the defining metric for success is increasingly the end-user experience. Authorities, CPOs and investors alike were encouraged to focus more explicitly on drivers’ needs, including reliability, accessibility, dwell-time suitability and ease of payment.
These delivery considerations are closely linked to the evolution of local authority procurement capability. Longer concession terms, more sophisticated lotting strategies and clearer risk allocation are enabling faster and more coordinated deployment that better reflects grid constraints, land availability and user demand.
Combating misinformation and sustaining alignment
Misinformation around EV charging continues to present a barrier to wider adoption. There was broad consensus that clearer, more consistent communication from both industry and government is required to build public confidence and maintain momentum. Underpinning this challenge is the need for sustained alignment between policy and industry. Ambitious targets alone will not deliver outcomes; coordinated action is required to translate policy intent into infrastructure delivered at pace and at scale.
Conclusion
The symposium underscored a significant shift in the sector’s collective mindset. The question is no longer whether electrification should happen, but how it can be delivered quickly, equitably and in a way that remains resilient to future demand.
With the UK’s rollout on track, and delivery ahead of expected demand for many public charging use cases, attention is now firmly on execution quality. Scaling LEVI-enabled programmes, maintaining procurement discipline, securing land through early partnerships and centring the end-user in siting and design decisions will be critical. As the UK continues its transition to electric mobility, the success of charging infrastructure deployment will increasingly define the credibility of broader decarbonisation efforts. The challenge now is to maintain momentum, reduce friction in delivery and ensure that infrastructure is planned not just for today’s needs, but for the system it must support in the decades ahead.