• • • 2026 PREDICTIONS • • •
BEYOND THE HYPE: THE EV CHARGING LANDSCAPE AS WE ENTER 2026
The EV charging sector has changed considerably over the past year, but perhaps not in the way many expected By Alex Hinchcliffe, Managing Director, Mer UK
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ather than explosive growth, we’ve seen strategic consolidation and a more nuanced approach to infrastructure development. Instead of a focus on numbers, such as charging points deployed, the last year has seen the industry getting smarter with where and how infrastructure is built, adapting strategies to reflect market realities.
Customer retention has also become an increasingly important focus and business success metric. It’s no longer enough to acquire new customers, you need the backup of great aftermarket support and approaches that adapt as customer needs change.
For public charging, it’s all
about location Talking with Elizabeth Warren, Mer’s Director of Public Charging, it’s clear that location has continued to be key in 2025. Commercial landowner collaborations are a growing area, with charge point operators increasingly working with
retail partners, supermarkets and investment funds, to create multi-bay rapid and ultra-rapid charging hubs in locations that naturally suit both journey charging and destination charging. As Elizabeth says: “There’s been particularly strong growth in retail parks, which are often located on main roads, so they’re easy to access and crucially, have shops and activities that enable people to do something while they charge. The industry has moved away from the old model of putting a public charger in the back corner of a dark car park and thinking that’s good enough.” This strategic selectivity has become crucial across the sector. Two or three years ago, aggressive network expansion made sense. Today’s market demands a different approach, with operators being more selective about where they build. For those able to adapt, this has driven higher usage, and will continue to do so into next year.
Elizabeth adds: “The reality is that there’s considerable competition in the public charging space now, and successful operators will be those
who are selective, establish strong partnerships and leverage data and operational experience to make smart decisions on size and location of charging sites.”
Fleet electrification is evolving Fleet operators are showing significant interest in electrifying their vehicles. Long-term electrification remains a priority for most businesses, and we hope the eVED exemption for vehicles including vans and HGVs as announced in the recent autumn budget will add further momentum to EV fleet transition.
Meanwhile, the public sector continues to grow. NHS trusts, police, fire and ambulance services are increasingly running major EV fleets. As Natasha Fry, Mer’s Head of Fleet Sales, notes: “It’s interesting to see a solid growth pattern here: with organisations starting with chargers for public and staff car parking to build confidence and experience, then progressing to electrifying their critical fleet vehicles.” Last-mile delivery and e-commerce logistics have also shown definite growth this year. Government funding for commercial vehicle depot and fleet transition has really catalysed the market. Many fleet operators who were interested but lacking funding have now been able to move forward, creating a flurry of activity that will continue into 2026. Natasha adds: “ With only 1-1.5 per cent of commercial vehicles having transitioned to electric so far, there’s enormous growth potential. In particular, the business case is increasingly clear for lighter vehicles, up to 3.5 tonnes, because early adopters have already proven electrification works.”
But there’s also likely to be real acceleration in 2026 for adapted vehicle types, e.g. the construction and utilities vehicles needed to tow generators, highways maintenance equipment, and specialist machinery. Manufacturers are now reaching the point where they’re developing fit-for- purpose electric options for these applications.
Pricing continues to
be important Pricing will continue to be an area for development. Since the targeted charging review, grid costs for distribution and transmission have increased by as much as 450 per cent across the sector, alongside substantial increases in standing charges and wholesale energy costs. Charging out of home continues to be a vatable cost.
42 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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