The government has announced a £10 million fund to develop innovative solutions to overcome grid constraints when it comes to installing electric vehicle chargers on the strategic road network, including more rural areas.

Private operators are invited to apply for a share of the funding to develop solutions using renewable energy sources such as solar, alongside energy storage systems like batteries, to avoid the need for expensive grid upgrades at ‘harder-to-power’ locations.

The solution will be targeted at hard-to-treat, grid-constrained sites where high costs or long timescales would otherwise delay chargepoint provision.

To be considered for funding, projects must enable at least 12 EVs to access ultra-rapid charging.

The competition, lead by Innovate UK, is open until 25 March 2026.

Claire Spooner, director of mobility, Innovate UK, said: "Launching this competition, Innovate UK will test new approaches to the EV charging power challenges on England’s strategic road network, especially in rural areas. The programme’s outcomes will build capability and bring together energy and transport stakeholders to improve EV charging for longer journeys."

Minister for aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister, Keir Mather said: "We’re powering up the future of driving with £10 million for cutting-edge tech to get more chargepoints on motorways and major A-roads.

"With over 25,000 drivers already switching to electric thanks to our discounts of up to £3,750, we’re backing British innovation, boosting jobs and making EV travel easier than ever."