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The Importance of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Discover the importance of electric car infrastructure for successful fleet management in your business. Drive forward sustainable goals with help from CBS.

In this blog, we’ll explore the critical role of Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure for successful fleet management in your business. We’ll walk you through key strategies to help you make informed decisions for a sustainable business.

With the 2035 deadline for transitioning to electric cars, many businesses have accelerated the shift to cleaner fleets. The latest figures show that electrified vehicle registrations continued to grow strongly in 2025, with Plug‑in Hybrids (PHEVs) up 45.9%, Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) up 4.2%, and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) rising 1.2% year‑to‑date. Collectively, electrified vehicles now make up a substantial share of the new car market, with BEVs representing 21.98%, HEVs 13.28%, and PHEVs 12.38% of registrations so far in 2026.

But with the move to EVs comes the need for a robust, reliable EV infrastructure – including charging stations, power grids, and network connectivity – that businesses should consider before transitioning their fleet.

Evidence shows that workplace charging infrastructure is expanding in line with the wider national rollout. For example, rapid growth in destination charging, which includes workplaces, continues across the UK, with 41,390 destination chargers installed by October 2025, representing 48% of all public charging devices. This indicates that workplaces remain an important part of the UK’s charging ecosystem.

What is EV infrastructure?

When we hear the term EV infrastructure, we generally think of the charging network, but there are other elements to consider.
 
Given that the number of EV chargepoints across the UK needs to increase significantly to meet future demand, it could be argued that the physical chargepoints are the highest priority ahead of the electric.

The Government has forecast that the UK will need around 300,000 public chargepoints by 2030 to support the nation’s transition to electric. At present, the rollout is continuing to accelerate, but there is still a considerable distance to go. By the end of 2025, the UK had 87,796 public charging devices installed across the country, according to updated ZapMap infrastructure data. This rapid growth places the UK broadly on track toward meeting the 2030 goal, but highlights just how much further expansion is needed to ensure a comprehensive, nationwide charging network.

Do we have the technology to handle the network connectivity increase needed to charge EVs?

Depending on the type of charging application, which could include residential, multifamily, workplace, fleet or public, a different type of network connectivity could be required. 

  • Level 1 EV chargers don’t require network connectivity, as they’re simply plugged into a 120V household plug socket. This type of charger is typically supplied by the manufacturer when an EV is added to your fleet. For Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or Plug-in Hybrids Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) with smaller batteries, charging can be quicker, which is suitable and accessible for your employees at their residential home with minimal set-up needed.

  • Level 2 chargers are dedicated EV charging units that may be hardwired or not, use a 208V-240V power source, and deliver an output range of 6.2kW to 19.2kW. A Level 2 charger provides an average of 32 miles of driving range per hour of charge, so typical charging time is around 4-8 hours from empty to full, but this varies depending on battery size. This type of charger is suitable for employees who could charge at home, if you or they are willing to pay for the installation costs, or for drivers out on the road, who might be making planned charging stops.

  • DC Fast Charging is the quickest way to charge an EV. These chargers are generally available at public locations, range in output from 50kW to 350kW and can recharge an EV battery to 80% in up to 45 minutes; the speed depends on the vehicle’s voltage capacity. These types of chargers are not in high volume publicly because fast-charging costs are higher and different connectors are needed. It’s recommended that fast chargers be used when necessary, so your drivers should have access to other charging methods.

If you haven’t made the switch to EVs yet, click here to find out what solution is right for your fleet.

How to build a smart electric vehicle infrastructure strategy

Strategic planning for EV infrastructure development is key to running and maintaining an efficient fleet. In preparation, your business should consider: 

  • Fleet size, vehicle types, and daily usage patterns. 
  • Power capacity at your facilities and potential upgrades. 
  • Availability of Government grants and incentives for EV infrastructure. 

Upgrade costs and available grants details are below in Overcoming Charging Concerns. 

Managing your electric fleet

Having a robust EV infrastructure strategy empowers your business to effectively manage your electric vehicle fleet. Key benefits for your business include: 

  • Reduced reliance on fossil fuels and lower overall fuel costs.

Although the cost of electricity varies dramatically from car to car, depending on location and energy supplier, and differs between public charging and home charging, there’s still potential to save on fuel costs. Equally, fuel efficiency depends on driving style, road and weather conditions, and the size of the battery.

  • Improved sustainability and positive environmental impact.

With EVs having lower CO₂ emissions, you can build the sustainability of your business.

  • Potential tax savings and financial incentives associated with EV ownership.

Salary sacrifice schemes are an attractive benefit for Electric Vehicles, as the current Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate for EVs is 4% for cars with CO₂ emissions under 75g/km. The Government has stated that BiK won’t exceed 9% until after 2030. 

  • Enhanced employee satisfaction with a modern and eco-friendly fleet.

Keep your employees feeling happy, rewarded and motivated by giving them affordable access to a brand-new EV. 

Overcoming charging concerns

Range and charging anxiety are still considered as potential challenges for EV drivers. Long-distance journeys have to be planned out for BEVs and PHEVs if these drivers want to utilise the electric part of the engine.

Costs to install electric chargers are another concern, whether at home or at business premises, with the average cost of a home charger installation up to £1,000. For businesses, the Energy Saving Trust reports costs ranging from £1,500 to £35,000, with charging speed a significant factor in the price variation.

Grants are available to renters, landlords and household with on-street parking from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), but there are certain eligibility criteria.

If you have a small to medium-sized business, grants are available to install multiple EV charging sockets. The grant is £500 per socket for up to 40 sockets.

Despite the challenges, there’s evidence that the Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure is growing, as according to ZapMap: As of the end of 2025, the UK had 87,796 public electric vehicle charging devices across 45,033 locations – reflecting strong year‑on‑year growth in the charging network.

There are also strategies you can consider to optimise charging schedules and minimise downtime, these could include: 

Charging infrastructure at work

A major investment, but if it’s fit for purpose now and for the future, it could be a beneficial enhancement, especially if they have limited access to home charging.

Renewable energy

Use renewable energy such as solar, wind or hydropower to charge your EV fleet, and this could help to reduce your carbon footprint. Or utilise a green energy tariff, which is when the energy supplied is fully or partly renewable, and charging when green energy is more available – and cheaper.

Share or rent out your chargepoints

This could act as an extra source of income to help offset the cost of installing the EV chargers. 

The importance of aftercare

Maintain chargers in a serviceable condition, ensure you don’t overload or install too many chargers in one location, and maintain sufficient power capacity for your fleet. 

Smart chargers are another way to efficiently manage energy consumption. These chargers optimise the charging process based on the preferences your drivers set, as well as electricity pricing, the best time of day to charge, and your battery level. 

Your employees can set their preferences in the smart charger app on their phone or laptop, and then the smart charger will intuitively charge the car based on the credentials set. 

  • To make smart charging the affordable, convenient choice for consumers.
  • To provide the right business landscape for electric vehicle smart charging products.
  • To create an energy system ready for electric vehicle smart charging.

EV expertise from Car Benefit Solutions

The transition to an electric fleet will be different for every company, and it may not be right for your business to go fully electric today, but there are multiple options for electrifying your fleet. Equally, the EV infrastructure plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition. 

If you’re looking for a fleet partner that can help you make the transition to EVs, get in touch with us today.