Increasing EV charging capacity on the strategic road network
Innovate UK / Office for Zero Emission Vehicles · England
Grant funding to support the development and demonstration of innovative solutions that increase public electric vehicle charging capacity for long journeys on the Strategic Road Network in England, particularly addressing grid, power and operational constraints at motorway service areas and trunk road cold spots.
Summary
Deadline
25 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding to support the development and demonstration of innovative solutions that increase public electric vehicle charging capacity for long journeys on the Strategic Road Network in England, particularly addressing grid, power and operational constraints at motorway service areas and trunk road cold spots.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research, Public Sector
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, energy systems, transport infrastructure, grid technologies, energy storage, digital and energy management systems.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK registered organisations including businesses, academic institutions, charities, public sector organisations, research and technology organisations and not for profit organisations participating in collaborative projects. The project lead must be a UK registered business. Academic institutions, charities or not for profit organisations cannot lead. Projects must develop and demonstrate innov...
Eligible applicants
UK registered organisations including businesses, academic institutions, charities, public sector organisations, research and technology organisations and not for profit organisations participating in collaborative projects.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£500,000 to £3,000,000 grant request per project
Total fund available
£10,000,000
Funding intensity
Industrial research: up to 70% micro/small, 60% medium, 50% large. Experimental development: up to 45%/35%/25%.
Payment type
Reimbursement (in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects must develop and demonstrate innovative solutions addressing grid, power and operational barriers to ultra rapid EV charging along the Strategic Road Network in England, enabling at least 12 vehicles to access 150kW or higher charging capacity at eligible sites.
Eligible expenses
- Eligible innovation project costs including development, deployment, equipment, research, testing, demonstration and associated project delivery activities.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under Innovate UK strategic road network EV charging IFS competition guidance.
Application and risks
Application platform
Innovation Funding Service (IFS)
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Applicants notified by 15 May 2026.
Assessment process
Applications are assessed by independent assessors based on project quality, innovation, team capability, value for money, market awareness, risk management and wider impact.
Application sections
- Project details, application questions, finances and project impact.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not meet eligibility rules, fall outside competition scope, fail financial checks, or do not demonstrate sufficient innovation or feasibility.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
3 Nov 2025
Project duration
Funded development and deployment must complete by 31 March 2028.
Project start
30 Jun 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV)
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects only. The lead organisation must collaborate with at least one other eligible organisation claiming grant funding.
- International partners are allowed but must normally participate as non-funded collaborators unless justified otherwise.
Consortium requirements
- The consortium must include at least one UK registered SME claiming grant funding. It must also include organisations performing the roles of a Strategic Road Network site operator and an EV charge point operator.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Industrial research and experimental development."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Subcontractors are permitted and must normally be selected through standard procurement processes. Overseas subcontractors are allowed only with justification."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must demonstrate innovative solutions to grid and operational barriers to EV charging, deploy ultra rapid charging solutions at eligible SRN sites, and operate the deployed infrastructure for at least three years after project completion."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Businesses may lead only one application but may collaborate on multiple applications."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Projects must deploy solutions at motorway service areas or within one mile of the Strategic Road Network and must disseminate learnings and project outcomes to support wider industry capability building."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 25 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £500,000 to £3,000,000 grant request per project
- Funding band
- Large (£5M+)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Reimbursement (in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, energy systems, transport infrastructure, grid technologies, energy storage, digital and energy management systems.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 4 Nov 2025