Britain’s EV Boom Plugs Into a New Phase

Big brands and financiers power a rapid expansion of charging hubs across the UK

13 Oct 2025

Britain’s drive to electrify its roads is gaining speed. A surge of corporate deals and fresh funding is turning the patchy network of electric-vehicle chargers into a serious national industry. Once the preserve of niche operators, charging infrastructure is now attracting global brands and institutional investors.

Duracell’s entry into public charging through its new “E-Charge” network marks one of the sector’s more surprising crossovers. In partnership with The EV Network, the battery-maker plans around 100 sites and 500 chargers by 2030, with the potential to grow to 200 ultra-rapid hubs. The move lends a household name to an industry eager for consumer trust.

Established players are also scaling up. In July 2025 Osprey Charging secured £110m in multi-bank financing to expand its network of high-speed hubs. Around the same time GRIDSERVE announced £100m in new capital to accelerate its rollout of Electric Super Hubs and Electric Forecourts. Both firms see their investments as helping Britain meet its 2035 zero-emission vehicle goal.

“The sector has moved beyond experimentation,” said an analyst at Transport & Energy. “It’s now about delivering the most reliable and accessible charging experience possible.”

Government policy is helping, too. Updated regulations now require better uptime reporting and clearer pricing. Local councils are being drawn into planning through the LEVI programme, which aims to improve access in smaller towns.

Yet the wiring is not all neat. Britain’s electricity grid is stretched, planning approvals are slow, and rural coverage remains thin. Without closer coordination between utilities, councils and network operators, the rollout could stall.

Still, the direction is clear. As brand-led entrants join the fray and money floods in, Britain’s charging network is fast becoming the backbone of its cleaner transport economy, a rare junction where policy, capital and consumer confidence meet.