Renewables energy specialist CES says a two-fold infrastructure gap continues to hold back EV adoption across the UK’s commercial fleet sector.
The Midlands-based company says a widening gap between the UK’s EV adoption ambitions and the availability of specialist charging infrastructure is continuing to deter businesses from making the switch to electric.
The company – which delivers end-to-end commercial EV charging solutions for fleet depots, logistics operations and manufacturing sites – says a parallel gap in understanding how to fund and plan depot charging projects is further hampering progress.
CES managing director Joe Collison says, “The number of electric commercial vehicles in the UK rose by 31 per cent from 2024 to 2025, showing that operators want to make the switch.
“But research from Arval shows that 41 per cent of fleet decision-makers said the quality of the national charging infrastructure was still a big obstacle to pursuing those ambitions.
“Meanwhile businesses are struggling to navigate an increasingly complex funding landscape particularly when it comes to depot charging projects. The closure of the Depot Charging Scheme, rumours of planned changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) transition mandate and associated uncertainty over the timeline for commercial EV adoption all spread confusion among businesses.
“It is essential that the new government moves quickly to bring real clarity to the area and help companies such as ours, which have a strong track record of helping businesses to make the switch to commercial EV.”
Joe says that Shropshire-based CES continued to do everything it could to plug the infrastructure gap and support the transition.
“We speak to operators every week who are ready to commit to electric vehicles but don’t yet have a viable charging strategy. The DCS has helped, but many businesses still need our expert guidance on what funding is still available, what timelines are involved and what they can do now to start future-proofing their operations.
“We remain committed at CES to providing the technical expertise, the financial modelling and the end‑to‑end delivery that fleets need to make confident, informed decisions.”
Joe adds that workplace charging demand was rising sharply, driven by both commercial fleets and businesses preparing for the upcoming phase‑out of new diesel vans and trucks.
He points out that the industry must now focus on scalable, future‑proofed depot charging solutions that support real‑world operations rather than short‑term compliance.
“The UK cannot meet its electrification targets without robust depot charging,” he says. “We expect further government support to follow the DCS, but businesses shouldn’t wait. Early planning is essential and the operators who act now will be the ones best placed to manage costs, secure capacity and keep their fleets moving.”
CES has established itself as an expert in renewable energy systems and decarbonisation projects, completing several notable projects including flagship DAF dealerships in Leeds and Leicestershire and a recent BYD showroom conversion in Trench alongside Ample Power Ltd.
