Will the UK’s EV Charging Crackdown Finally Deliver?

OPSS to enforce reliability standards as Gridserve and Shell grow networks with new government funding

9 Oct 2025

The UK’s electric vehicle charging industry is entering a new phase as regulators prepare to enforce stricter service standards and major operators expand their networks. The combined effect of tighter oversight, fresh government funding and private investment is expected to reshape charging infrastructure over the coming years.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards is set to take a larger enforcement role under the Public Charge Point Regulations introduced in 2023. The rules require all public charge point operators to offer clear pricing, contactless payment options and consistent uptime. While no compliance actions or fines have yet been issued, the agency said it is developing monitoring and enforcement procedures to ensure service quality across the market.

Operators are also scaling up their investments. Gridserve plans to expand its Electric Highway network, upgrading motorway and retail charging sites. Shell Recharge continues to deploy ultra-rapid chargers along key travel routes as part of its broader European electrification strategy. Both initiatives align with recent public funding streams and earlier corporate commitments.

In July 2025, the UK government allocated an additional £63mn to accelerate public and fleet charging rollout. The funding will support depot charging for commercial fleets, on-street solutions for homes without driveways and installations at NHS facilities.

Analysts view these moves as signs of a maturing market rather than a rapid transformation. “The UK’s charging network is moving toward greater reliability, but full implementation of standards and investments will take time,” said a transport policy researcher at Transport & Environment. “The foundations are being set for long-term growth.”

Challenges persist, particularly around high grid connection costs and regulatory compliance for smaller operators. Still, if enforcement and investment plans progress as intended, users could see a more dependable and accessible charging experience by the end of the decade.

The shift marks a cautious but deliberate step toward a cleaner transport system built on clearer regulation, coordinated investment and steady expansion.