Who’s Winning Britain’s New EV Charging Race?

Duracell and Blink roll out huge EV charging plans, reshaping access and competition across the UK

24 Oct 2025

The UK’s electric vehicle charging race is speeding into a new phase, driven by two big players making bold moves. Battery veteran Duracell has announced its first-ever EV fast-charging network, pledging over £200 million to install at least 500 ultra-rapid points by 2030. Six sites are already slated to open in 2025 through a partnership with The EV Network and Elektra Charge.

“Charging your car should be as simple as changing the batteries in your remote,” said Duracell’s managing director, unveiling plans for hubs capable of delivering more than 400 kilowatts, enough to top up most EVs in minutes.

Across the Atlantic, Blink Charging is taking a different route. The US-based company has signed a major deal with Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to roll out up to 1,000 chargers across 230 public sites within two years. Backed by £282,000 from the government’s LEVI programme, the effort targets areas where access has lagged, such as on-street and shared parking zones. “This partnership will give drivers confidence to make the switch,” said Blink’s European chief.

Together, these projects signal a major shift. Duracell is tackling long-distance travel with motorway and retail charging hubs, while Blink is bringing power closer to home for urban and suburban drivers. The dual-front push is transforming what was once a fragmented patchwork into a nationwide network.

For investors and local councils, the message is unmistakable: EV charging has moved from pilot phase to prime infrastructure. Duracell’s consumer clout and Blink’s public-private model could spark a wave of collaboration and competition that cuts costs and boosts reliability.

Challenges persist, from grid constraints and high installation costs to limited space among them, but momentum is building fast. Within two years, the winners will be those who deliver scale, uptime, and simplicity as Britain races toward a cleaner, fully charged future.