£63 Million EV Charging Boost: Big News for London’s PCO Drivers, Fleets, and the NHS

The UK Government has unveiled a major £63 million investment to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the country — a move that will be especially welcomed by private hire (PCO) drivers in London navigating the shift to zero-emission vehicles.

From new home charging support to depot grants and clearer road signage, this package targets some of the biggest charging challenges faced by families, businesses, and frontline workers — including thousands of PCO drivers working in the capital.

Charging at Home – Even Without a Driveway

One of the most common barriers for London PCO drivers making the switch to EVs is the lack of a private driveway to install a home charger.

That’s where a new £25 million cross-pavement charging fund comes in. Designed to help drivers living in flats or terraced houses charge at home, this scheme will support local councils in installing discreet channels that let charging cables run safely under the pavement — giving more drivers access to cheaper domestic electricity rates.

Kerbo Charge, one of the leading providers of this technology, says over 12,000 people are already on its waiting list — many of them in cities like London where street parking is the norm. Co-founder Michael Goulden called the announcement “a game-changer” for EV adoption in urban areas.

For PCO drivers who work long hours and don’t want to rely solely on expensive public rapid chargers, the chance to charge overnight at home is a potential lifeline — both financially and logistically.

Support for Fleet Charging – and London Operators

The government is also launching a new grant scheme for depot charging infrastructure.

This funding will help businesses install EV chargers at their own premises, ideal for fleet operators who want to transition away from petrol and diesel but are blocked by upfront installation costs or delays in connecting to the power grid.

Michelle Gardner of Logistics UK welcomed the funding but warned that commercial fleets — including private hire firms — still face serious challenges, particularly when it comes to grid connection delays and high costs. “Our sector must be prioritised,” she said.

EV Infrastructure for the NHS – and Better for the Roads Too

Beyond commercial fleets, the NHS will receive an £8 million sustainability boost, which will help electrify medical fleets and ambulances across 200+ sites in England. An estimated £120 million will be saved in running costs — money that can be reinvested in patient care.

Meanwhile, drivers across London and the UK will soon benefit from a long-overdue change to EV signage.

For the first time, charging hubs will be clearly marked on motorways and A-roads, making it easier for EV drivers to locate nearby chargers. This visibility boost is expected to help overcome “range anxiety” and improve confidence in EV infrastructure.

Why This Matters for London’s PCO Workforce

With ULEZ in full effect and Transport for London requiring all newly licensed PCO vehicles to be zero-emission capable, thousands of private hire drivers are already exploring their EV options. But many are still on the fence — often due to the difficulty and cost of charging.

This new government package directly tackles those concerns:

• Home charging options for drivers without driveways

• Depot funding for fleet operators and minicab companies

• Clearer signage to simplify finding public chargers across the network

• 
  

John Lewis, CEO of on-street charging provider Char.gy, summed it up best:

What’s Next for PCO Drivers?

As details of the home and depot grant schemes are rolled out, PCO drivers in London should watch for updates from their local councils and TfL-approved EV infrastructure providers.

Whether you're an individual driver looking to save on charging costs or a fleet manager aiming to meet green vehicle targets, this funding marks a significant step forward.