The UK government has announced a significant increase to home and workplace electric vehicle (EV) charge point grants, a move designed to make EV adoption easier and more affordable for businesses, fleet operators and employees. From 1 April 2026, the maximum grant available for installing an EV charge point at home or work will rise from £350 to up to £500 per socket, covering almost half the cost of a typical installation. The enhanced support will be available until March

Octopus Energy has launched a new service designed to make it easier for businesses to move their fleets over to electric vehicles, as more companies look to cut emissions and manage rising fuel costs. Called Octopus Fleet , the new offering brings together charging, payments and energy solutions in one place, aiming to remove some of the practical barriers that often slow down fleet electrification. The service is aimed at businesses at all stages of the transition, from tho

2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for fleet operators, as proactive fleet management moves from a “nice to have” to an operational necessity. Industry experts say rising costs, tougher regulations and growing vehicle complexity are pushing fleets to move away from reactive decision‑making and towards smarter, data‑led management. For many years, fleet technology focused on collecting information – vehicle location, mileage, fuel use and driver behaviour. But simply hav

A new Europcar Mobility Group UK study has found that cost remains the single biggest barrier preventing businesses from adopting electric vehicles (EVs) into their fleets. The findings, published in Europcar’s latest EV Barometer, track sentiment across business fleets and company drivers throughout 2025. The research highlights a sector that is increasingly open to electrification — but still held back by financial concerns. While the outlook has improved compared to previo

A growing skills crisis in the UK’s vehicle repair and salvage sector is now directly pushing up repair costs, raising insurance premiums, and causing longer repair wait times — a situation Thatcham Research says is reaching a critical point. Thatcham’s findings reveal a sector struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving automotive technology, especially electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS). These systems require more advanced technical skil

A growing skills gap in the UK’s automotive sector is raising concerns as new data shows that only one‑in‑four vehicle technicians are currently qualified to work on electric vehicles (EVs). According to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), just 26% of the UK technician workforce held an EV qualification at the end of Q3 2025, a proportion that has stagnated as training rates slow. The IMI’s latest data reveals that the number of technicians gaining EV accreditation fel

Fleet operators across the UK are being urged to move quickly to secure government support for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, as several key funding schemes enter their final months. With deadlines looming and installation lead times tightening, the industry warns that fleets delaying action could face significantly higher costs—and risk falling behind in the race toward electrification. Two major schemes—the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) and the EV infrastr

The RAC is significantly expanding its telematics offering after forming a new strategic partnership with telematics specialist CalAmp. The move introduces a more advanced version of the RAC Connected  platform, giving fleet operators access to enhanced fleet‑management tools, AI‑powered video technology and automated crash detection features. The upgraded platform is designed to help fleets reduce risk, improve driver safety and manage operating costs more effectively. One o

MPs have launched a major inquiry into the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy, marking the first comprehensive review of national road‑safety policy in more than a decade. The Transport Committee will examine whether the strategy’s proposals — published earlier this month — go far enough to cut the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads. The Government’s strategy aims to significantly reduce road deaths by strengthening enforcement, improving infrast

The UK Government has launched its new “Get that electric feeling” campaign — and while it’s aimed at the general public, there’s a lot in it that matters directly to fleets. With EV running costs becoming a bigger part of business planning, this campaign arrives at a crucial time for operators considering the switch. At the heart of the initiative is the Electric Car Grant, offering up to £3,750 off the cost of a new EV, alongside potential savings of £1,400 a year in fuel a

Last week the government released their long awaited strategy to improve road safety by implementing new rules and plans to help reduce deaths and injuries on UK roads.Th eir goal is is to have a 65% reduction in the number of adults and 70% reduction in the number of children (under 16) killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 2035. The strategy details a range of polices, mainly focusing on 4 themes: Supporting road users - policies such as introducing 3 or 6 mon

Over the next year, pay‑per‑mile insurance is expected to become one of the most talked‑about developments in the fleet sector. As insurers increasingly look for ways to offer more flexible and transparent cover, usage‑based models are stepping into the spotlight. For many fleet operators, especially those with varying workloads or seasonal activity, this represents an opportunity to take greater control of insurance costs. Traditional fleet policies often rely on estimated a

Fleet electrification is set to accelerate throughout 2026 as a combination of policy pressure, growing infrastructure and new technology reshapes how businesses plan their transition. The biggest driver remains the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires manufacturers to increase the percentage of zero‑emission cars and vans they sell each year. This trajectory pushes EVs from a long‑term ambition towards an operational necessity for businesses, especially w

The year 2026 brings a series of tax adjustments that will affect both fleet operators and individual drivers across the UK. These changes reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to balance revenue needs with environmental goals, and they will influence everything from company car benefits to fuel costs and vehicle classifications. One of the most notable shifts is the increase in Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rates for company cars. Fully electric vehicles, which have enjoyed very

The heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and fleet industry is entering a new era as telematics technology becomes central to operations in 2026. Telematics is no longer just about tracking vehicles. In 2026, it’s becoming the backbone of fleet and HGV operations, helping to drive efficiency, safety, and compliance. Once seen as a simple tracking tool, telematics now delivers real-time insights, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven safety features that are reshaping how fleets manage r

Fleet operators across the UK are welcoming a major tax reform that could significantly reduce leasing costs for commercial vehicles. The Autumn Budget 2025 introduced a 40% first-year capital allowance for leased vans and light commercial vehicles, effective from 1 January 2026. This marks the first time leased assets have qualified for such relief, closing a long-standing gap in the capital allowances regime. Previously, only outright purchases benefited from full expensing

That quick peek at your phone could cost you more than you think. A few years ago, the rules around using your mobile phone behind the wheel changed, and the consequences for getting caught can be a major headache for both your driving record and your insurance. Since March 2022, it's been illegal to use a handheld mobile phone for virtually any reason while you're driving—not just for making calls or texting. This includes everything from scrolling through a music playlist,

Your company fleet is getting smarter, and it’s about more than just a sat-nav. Thanks to some serious tech upgrades, those delivery vans and service vehicles are basically growing brains, and it’s changing the game for business owners. It’s all down to something called telematics, which has moved on a lot from just putting a GPS tracker in a vehicle. Think of it like this: Instead of just tracking where your vehicle is, modern telematics is like having a co-pilot, a mechanic

The future of company cars and vans is electric—that much is clear. But while the electric vehicle (EV) buzz is all about saving the planet and reducing fuel costs, the road to a fully electric fleet is rocky, and everyone from business owners to insurers is feeling the bumps. Think about it: switching from petrol to electric isn't just a simple car swap. You have to consider a lot more than just the vehicle itself. First up, the battery. It's the heart of the EV and even a s

Fleet operators across the UK are being warned to take urgent action as collision rates continue to climb, driven by unsafe driving behaviours and rising road risk. Recent industry data reveals that the average distance driven before a collision fell by nearly 20% in 2023, signalling a worrying trend for businesses that rely on road transport. Experts say the surge in incidents is linked to persistent habits such as speeding, tailgating, and distracted driving. Mobile phone u