EV Infrastructure & Energy Summit to Drive UK’s Charging Revolution
The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) transition is no longer on the horizon—it’s happening now, and at a staggering pace. In 2024, the number of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on UK roads surged by 39%, totalling 1.4 million, alongside 800,000 plug-in hybrids and 76,000 electric vans.
This growth isn’t slowing down; in the first quarter of 2025, one in four new cars registered was fully electric, marking a 37.4% year-on-year increase.
This surge comes despite persistent misinformation about EV viability. The data tells a different story: demand is booming, and the UK is edging closer to its zero-emission targets.
Cleaner Roads, Lower Emissions
The shift to EVs is already paying environmental dividends. Despite increased traffic volumes, UK oil demand for transport fell by 1.4% in 2024, slashing emissions by 5.9MtCO2e. Additional electricity demand from EVs, around four terawatt hours or 1% of total UK consumption, contributed just 0.5MtCO2e in emissions. The net benefit? A 70% reduction in lifecycle emissions compared with petrol and diesel vehicles.
The message is clear: EVs aren’t just about cutting tailpipe emissions; they’re redefining the sustainability equation for transport.
Infrastructure Rising to the Challenge
Meeting the charging needs of this expanding fleet is a race against time. According to Zapmap, the UK now boasts over 75,000 public chargepoints—a 32% increase year-on-year—with ultra-rapid chargers expanding by a remarkable 74%. Government initiatives, including the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme, are boosting momentum alongside substantial private investment.
With a national target of 300,000 public chargepoints by 2030, progress is on track. For motorists, the benefits are more than environmental; 80% of drivers could save an estimated £5,000 over a vehicle’s lifetime by switching to electric.
The EV Infrastructure & Energy Summit 2025
Against this backdrop of rapid change, the EV Infrastructure & Energy Summit 2025, organised by Solar Media, part of Informa Markets—will convene industry leaders on 1-2 October at the London Hilton Metropole. This high-level event is designed to connect policymakers, fleet operators, energy providers, charge point operators (CPOs), investors, and innovators in a concentrated two-day programme.
Recent Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures underline the urgency: March 2025 saw over 69,000 BEV registrations, a 41.8% jump on the previous year and the highest monthly total on record. Yet BEVs still made up only 19.6% of the market, below the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target of 28% for 2025.
Tackling the Key Challenges
The summit will confront the most pressing barriers to adoption and infrastructure rollout, including:
- Financing the Rollout: Innovative investment models and public-private partnerships to scale infrastructure.
- Grid Readiness & Smart Charging: Ensuring the power grid can cope through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) tech, storage solutions, and demand management systems.
- Fleet Electrification Strategies: Commercial depot charging, route optimisation, and managing battery lifecycles.
- Public & Near-Home Charging: Closing the equity gap by integrating charging into urban planning and residential areas.
- Policy, Standards & Regulation: Navigating evolving mandates, consumer expectations, and compliance requirements.
The Energy-Transport Nexus
One of the most anticipated discussion threads will be the convergence of energy and mobility. Smart charging systems, V2G integration, and renewable energy-powered infrastructure are central to reducing grid strain and delivering cost efficiencies. This approach also offers opportunities for drivers to feed energy back into the grid during peak demand, turning EVs into active assets in the energy ecosystem.
Who Will Be There
The event promises a unique networking platform for:
- Government agencies and local authorities
- CPOs and network operators
- Energy suppliers and distribution network operators (DNOs)
- Fleet managers and logistics operators
- Commercial property owners and retail chains
- OEMs, battery tech developers, and software innovators
- Finance, legal, and consultancy experts
Highlights Not to Miss
Attendees can expect:
- 60+ expert speakers sharing market insights
- Interactive panels and closed-door roundtables
- Targeted networking with decision-makers and buyers
- Case studies on ROI, utilisation, fire safety, and grid connectivity
Seizing the Opportunity
With the UK’s charging landscape scaling at record speed, the EV Infrastructure & Energy Summit 2025 offers a timely checkpoint for industry stakeholders. The nation’s EV adoption curve is steep, but so are the challenges in infrastructure, finance, and regulation.
Those in the business of shaping the UK’s transport future—whether through policy, investment, or innovation—will find this summit an invaluable arena for collaboration. It’s not just about keeping pace with change; it’s about driving it.
