This Week in EV Charging: 19 October 2026

Here is our round-up of the EV charging news that matters to UK hotels, leisure venues, workplaces, fleet operators and councils this week.

Planning permission no longer needed for cross-pavement chargers in England

From 21 October, homes without a driveway in England can install cross-pavement charging, with the cable run through a channel in the pavement, without applying for planning permission. The government says this saves up to £300 per installation, and that related changes make it quicker and cheaper to install larger public charging hubs. Highway authority approval is still needed (gov.uk).

Why it matters: more drivers without driveways will switch to electric, and they will still look for reliable charging when they travel and stay away. Scotland has its own planning rules.

Two consultations on charging in buildings close on 16 December

Alongside the planning change, the government opened two consultations on 21 October: one on building regulations for chargers in new and refurbished buildings, and one on charging access for tenants and leaseholders. Responses are due by 16 December 2026 (gov.uk).

Why it matters: if you are planning a refurbishment or manage leased property, these rules could shape what you have to install. It is worth reading the proposals and responding before the deadline.

Depot Charging Scheme reopens on 28 October

The second window of the government's Depot Charging Scheme is expected to open on 28 October and close on 29 January 2027, with £38 million available for projects starting from April 2027. Grant rates for this window have not yet been confirmed (gov.uk).

Why it matters: the window is short and a site survey takes time, so fleet operators with vans, HGVs or coaches should start planning now. Our fleet charging page explains how Connekt helps.

Almost 1,000 former bp pulse fleet customers move to new providers

bp pulse has left the fleet depot charging market, and its fleet customers are being moved to Fuuse, with Drax Electric Vehicles providing service and maintenance. Existing hardware warranties transfer to the new operators (EV Infrastructure News, 20 October).

Why it matters: when a provider leaves the market, sites can be left without support. Before you sign, ask what happens to your chargers, software and maintenance if that happens. Our guide to choosing an EV charging partner you can trust covers the questions to ask.

Scotland tests a tool for electric HGV routes

ScotVolt, a dashboard developed for Transport Scotland by Heriot-Watt University, uses data from about 80,000 real truck journeys to show where electric HGV chargers would be needed and whether the local grid could cope. Hauliers and logistics firms are invited to test it on their own routes (Energy Live News, 15 October).

Why it matters: grid capacity is often the deciding factor for depot charging, especially in rural Scotland. Testing your routes now shows where power will be the constraint.

ChargePlace Scotland: ten weeks to move your chargers

Charge point owners on the ChargePlace Scotland network must move their chargers to a new network by the end of December 2026, and must clearly display which network runs each charger (ChargePlace Scotland).

Why it matters: if your site's chargers are still on ChargePlace Scotland, now is the time to choose a new network. Our article on what the ChargePlace Scotland transition means for businesses explains the options.

If any of this week's news has you thinking about charging at your site, book a free consultation and we will talk you through it.