How to run an EV charging network: mastering land, plugs and software
Discover how the UK's leading rapid charging network, Osprey Charging, delivers its popular charging hubs, strategically located from Land's End to John O'Groats.
In 2024, the UK overtook Germany to become Europe's largest electric vehicle (EV) market. Fully electric vehicles now account for over 20 per cent of new car sales and 4 per cent of all vehicles on our roads, with this number set to rise. With ambitious government targets and substantial private investment in infrastructure set to continue, the UK is becoming a leader in the global EV revolution.
The vast majority of the public charging stations that will become the backbone of EV refuelling are funded with private investment by nationwide charging networks such as Osprey Charging. These are the rapid charge points (adding 100 miles of range to a car's battery in as little as 10 minutes) that fleets and high-mileage vehicles will rely on for everyday use, and private drivers for longer journeys.
Operating a network of grid-connected, consumer-facing charge points is a relatively new type of business. Here's how Best of British Business 2025 company Osprey Charging delivers one of the UK's largest and most popular rapid EV charging networks.
Land
Across 2023 and 2024, Osprey deployed more rapid charging infrastructure than any other network in the UK, bringing its total network to 1,300 charging bays. Charging hubs, featuring six or more high-powered (150kW+) chargers, are preferred by drivers for maximising availability and providing a dedicated charging space, and can be future-proofed for expansion as demand grows.
Knowing where to build these high-power hubs is a particular strength of the business, which has had data in its DNA since inception. Hub sites cost millions of pounds to develop, so optimising return is crucial for investors. Thanks to an ever-improving proprietary assessment model, as well as in-house expertise in grid and development, Osprey makes informed decisions about location, size and design of hubs. This data-driven approach ensures Osprey selects locations that offer high footfall, strong grid connectivity and long-term commercial viability, making it a preferred partner for major institutional landlords such as Legal & General, as well as retailers such as Burger King and Starbucks.
Osprey also buys freehold land on which to develop and operate flagship hubs, where end-to-end control and design can produce award-winning customer experience. The award-winning Salmon's Leap Super-hub, for example, at Buckfastleigh on the Devon Expressway, is a rural oasis where Osprey created a partnership with a local farm shop, supporting local businesses, and giving river access to local watersports enthusiasts, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable infrastructure that enhances both EV charging and the surrounding community.
Plugs
Each of Osprey's hubs has a dedicated high-voltage grid connection, equivalent to powering 600-700 homes. To maximise the number of charge points on each grid connection and therefore serve more customers, Osprey installs dynamic load-balancing technology. Through this technology, the total available power is centralised and distributed via the high-power satellite chargers to the vehicles as they need it in real time. As a result, no power is wasted and the power delivered is maximised, making the most efficient use of the available grid connection. Osprey was the first to introduce this innovative solution to the UK.
Furthermore, the customer experience is quicker and better with more charge points available, and revenue is optimised by delivering the greatest amount of power to the greatest number of customers at any one time. Osprey's pioneering approach to dynamic load-balancing also ensures that each hub can be scaled to support more EVs without requiring costly grid reinforcements, keeping pace with the growing demand for public charging.
Software
With hundreds of sites nationwide and thousands of customers every day, Osprey enjoys absolute control and quality thanks to its proprietary software platform, Osprey Iris. This is critical as the business scales rapidly, both in charge point numbers and transactions processed. As a key differentiator, Osprey Iris gives in-house control of charge point management, extensive data and customer accounts, and therefore flexibility to provide the best experience for all types of driver, and to develop these over the long-term.
There are several advantages of having this control and software development in-house. For example, Osprey directly integrates with fleet billing systems and payment services of all sizes easily, from Motability Operations to Octopus Electroverse to British Gas, driving significant revenue from high-mileage vehicles. Osprey can choose to install any charge point hardware as the market develops, actively maintaining the best user experience.
Network health, security and emerging customer pain points are closely and easily monitored, with live diagnosis and solutions. Analysis and insights gained from proprietary data is used on a daily basis to inform customer strategy. Osprey Iris has significant commercial potential too, as charging-as-a-service offerings become more mature in the growing charging network market. For fleet operators, businesses and commercial landlords looking to enter the EV charging market, Osprey Iris offers a scalable, ready-made solution.
Running a rapid charging network is complex. Osprey Charging combines a unique blend of data-led strategy, advanced hardware and software and in-house expertise to ensure both operational efficiency and a high-quality experience for all drivers. This strategy has paid off with Osprey winning numerous industry awards including Chargepoint Network of the Year in both 2023 and 2024 at the Electric Vehicle Innovation and Excellence awards, and Best EV Charging Network 2023 and 2024 at the Transport and Energy awards.
Recognised as a Best of British Business in 2024, Osprey continues to lead the charge in delivering a world-class charging network, making it a key player in the UK's electric vehicle transition. With further expansion planned for 2025, including new ultra-rapid hubs and enhanced fleet integrations, Osprey continues to set the standard for a reliable, customer-first charging experience.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
16 minutes ago
- Reuters
Stellantis to debut Leapmotor's EVs in South Africa this year
JOHANNESBURG, July 22 (Reuters) - Stellantis ( opens new tab plans to sell Chinese-branded electric vehicles developed by its partner Leapmotor ( opens new tab in South Africa starting with the C10 from September, the company said on Tuesday. The C10 is an electric SUV with a petrol engine used purely to charge the battery. More Leapmotor models are expected to be launched next year, including fully electric models, Mike Whitfield, managing director of Stellantis South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, said in a statement. Leapmotor created waves with its recent rollout of the all-electric B10 SUV equipped with smart-driving features and lidar sensing technology for less than $18,000. In 2023, Stellantis bought a 21% stake in Leapmotor for $1.6 billion. The two automakers also formed the joint venture Leapmotor International, in which Stellantis holds a 51% stake. Leapmotor will help the world's fourth-largest automaker widen its range of affordable EVs, as it presses ahead with electrification at a time when other Chinese automakers including BYD ( opens new tab and Chery Auto are aggressively expanding into Africa. "South Africa is a critical market for Stellantis, and we are fully committed to unlocking its potential through product, innovation and meaningful partnerships," Whitfield said. Stellantis, which entered the South African market four years ago, is building a new plant in the country, with a maximum capacity of 100,000 vehicles by 2030. It plans to become the No.1 player in the Middle East and Africa region with one million vehicles sold by 2030, with 35% expected to be electric. In 2024, it sold 500,000 cars in the Middle East and Africa. With over 60% of the South African market concentrated below the 400,000 rand ($22,755) price point, Stellantis' Citroën C3 range is gaining strong traction, with the upcoming C3 Basalt set to complete a competitive lineup in the accessible B-hatch and SUV segments early next year, Whitfield said. Stellantis will also launch the Citroën C3 Hola panel van, its entry into the growing commercial vehicle sector aimed at small business owners. ($1 = 17.5780 rand)
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Analysis: EV drivers cover higher annual mileage than petrol owners
More than one in 20 car miles driven in the UK is by an electric vehicle and only owners of diesel models cover higher average annual mileage than those with EVs, according to new analysis. Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation has found that battery powered vehicles were responsible for 5.3 per cent of all recorded car mileage last year. That is despite EVs making up just 3.8 per cent of the national car parc. Last year, pure battery electric cars under three years old were driven an average of 10,054 miles, the study found. This is far more than petrol models (7,585 miles) and only marginally short of the average for diesel cars, which last year was 10,728 miles. The last year petrol cars were recorded to have higher average annual mileage than EVs was back in 2015 when battery vehicles were very much in their infancy. The RAC says EVs are now so developed and capable that they are becoming a serious option for long-distance business drivers and 'starting to take over where the diesel left off'. The calculations are based on an analysis of more than 1.2 million MOT tests, with record held by the DVLA. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'Until recently, new car buyers, often fleets and businesses, have looked to diesels when they've needed something capable of racking up the big miles whilst still offering reasonable fuel economy. 'Now it seems that fully electric cars are starting to take over where the diesel left off, providing a practical alternative in terms of range and cost per mile, and because of the attractive tax breaks they come with.' The high-mileage capability of EVs has been improved by a rapidly growing charging network, especially the increase in availability of ultra-rapid charging hubs on the motorway network. Devices located at dedicated charging sites at motorway services can boost the batteries in the latest EVs from 10 to 80 per cent charge in under half an hour. 'The world where many saw the electric vehicle as being a second-car option, handy only for short trips, is changing rapidly to one where the battery-electric car is being bought to be a workhorse,' Gooding said. Earlier this week, the Government announced that drivers buying a new electric car will be eligible for grants of up to £3,750 . Only EVs with a retail price below £37,000 - and that are sustainably produced - are eligible for subsidies, with funding for the Electric Car Grant in place until 2028-29. However, the qualify for the scheme, manufacturers must first prove that their EVs are sustainably produced - both the cars themselves and their batteries. This will determine the size of the discount provided from taxpayer funding, which ranges from just £1,500 up to the full quota of £3,750 for the greenest-made electric models. However, manufacturers who fail to meet the sustainability criteria will be refused grants towards the sale price of their cars entirely. While car makers have widely welcomed the announcement and the potential increase in public demand for new EVs the scheme will trigger, industry insiders have dubbed it a drain on public finances. Commenting in an exclusive report by This is Money , experts warned the grant will compound existing 'rampant depreciation' for EVs, which has crashed the second-hand market in recent years.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
5 EVs likely eligible for new Electric Car Grant of up to £3,750
The Government has reintroduced grants to slash the price of some new electric cars as part of its efforts to boost sales before the end of the decade. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has unveiled Labour's £650million Electric Car Grant, which comes three years after the previous Tory regime scrapped its own plug-in car grant. The Department for Transport confirms only fully electric models priced at £37,000 or less are eligible for the new grants of up to £3,750, with funding confirmed up until 2028-29. However, there are a number of caveats. Firstly, the scheme will not immediately be available, despite officially launching on Wednesday 16 July. That's because manufacturers need to apply for eligibility for vehicles in their ranges, rather than buyers registering grants at the point of purchase. And not all grants will have a value of £3,750. There will be a two-tier approach to the value deducted from the recommended retail price (RRP), which is determined by how green the manufacturing process is for each different model. The RAC says the grant's restrictions mean drivers will be 'picking models that are not only better for their wallets, but better for the planet too'. We've picked five of the best EVs that are certain to be eligible for the grant - though we will have to wait to find out which will qualify for the full subsidy amount of £3,750. What is the Electric Car Grant? The Electric Car Grant (ECG) is the Government's new big hope to drive sales of EVs in the run-up to the end of the decade as it continues to steer towards outlawing the availability of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. It arrives three years after the previous Tory administration prematurely scrapped its Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), which it launched in 2011. Over its 11-year spell, the PiCG amount was gradually wound down; having originally offered to slash the price of any new EV or plug-in hybrid by £5,000 in 2011, by the time the scheme was closed in June 2022 only fully-electric cars below £32,000 were eligible, and the amount knocked off the RRP just £1,500. That said, the scheme proved incredibly successful. It provided more than £1.4billion to motorists to support purchases of nearly half a million electric and hybrid vehicles in that period, in which it was widely responsible for encouraging early adoption of electrified cars. The new ECG will hope to reignite electric car demand among private buyers with the same level of impact after months of stagnating sales. It will be supported by a £650million backing from the Government that will be available for the next three years. However, funding will remain under review, with the scheme subject to amendments or an 'early closure with no notice' should the pot of available money 'become exhausted', the DfT clarified. Only cars up to £37,000 qualify for the grant, which rules out premium models, including every Tesla on sale. No Audi, BMW or Mercedes EV will be eligible either. The Government's hope is that by making the most financially attainable EVs even more affordable, it will make switching more appealing to private buyers rather than just those who lease more expensive EVs or acquire them as company cars or through salary sacrifice schemes. Some 50 existing models are technically eligible for the grants solely based on their starting price. We've listed these below. However, there are a number of electric cars that are just over the £37,000 threshold and manufacturers are likely to review whether to lower the RRPs on these models in order to qualify. How does the Electric Car Grant work? Unlike the PiCG, buyers will not be allocated the grant amount at the point of purchase. Instead, manufacturers must apply to be eligible for the scheme with their sub-£37,000 cars on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that motorists will not need to fill in any additional paperwork to receive the grant, with all administration handled by the car maker, dealership, and the Government. But because manufacturers must apply for the scheme, it may take weeks for discounted EVs to begin appearing in showrooms, experts say. The new scheme will also differ from the PiCG in that it is a two-tier approach based on 'sustainability criteria'. Only the greenest models - considered 'band one' - receiving the full £3,750 amount. Band two cars with a lower eco rating will be eligible for a reduced amount as low as £1,500. Bands are determined by each maker's Science-Based Target (SBT) - an industry-wide scheme, with manufacturers needing to meet carbon scores below a specific criterion to achieve the highest green standard. Volkswagen and Renault Group have both confirmed they are signed up with the SBT scheme. ECG bands - which could later expand beyond two tiers - will be determined by how much CO2 is emitted in an EV's production, assessing the energy used during assembly as well as battery manufacturing. An overall SBT score is weighted 70 per cent for the CO2 produced during battery manufacturing and 30 per cent for vehicle assembly emissions. Threshold levels to achieve the full £3,750 discount or the lower banded £1,500 have yet to be made public. However, vehicles that don't meet a minimum level will not receive a grant at all. This could be bad news for Chinese EV makers , which currently offer some of the most competitive prices but could fall foul of the emissions-based rules. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme on Wednesday (16 July), Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said she did not expect any cars that are produced in China to be eligible. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards,' she said. 'And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant.' According to The Telegraph , the Chinese embassy has hit hack and the scheme's stringent requirements. It has called on the UK to follow World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and create a 'non-discriminatory environment for investment'. WTO rules stipulate that members must not give favourable treatment to one country over another when it comes to trading goods and services. An embassy spokesperson added: 'The Chinese side is closely following the situation and will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.' China's - and the world's - biggest EV maker, BYD, has informed the DfT of its intention to apply for eligibility for the Electric Car Grant and said it looks forward to being 'part of it'. According to early reports, British-built EVs were said to qualify for band one in support of UK car makers. However, the DfT has said this will not be the case and that 'all products are assessed under the same framework'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the ECG's availability on Monday night, saying: 'The EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money - it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century.' On Sunday, Alexander admitted she has not been able to afford an electric car as she hinted towards the introduction of new subsidies. The Cabinet minister - who earns around £160,000 - said she had not purchased a vehicle for about six years as it was 'expensive'. Car industry welcomes EV purchase incentive The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which has been campaigning for new EV purchase incentives to be launched since the PiCG was closed three years ago, said the grant is a 'clear signal to consumers that now is the time to switch'. Mike Hawes, its chief executive, said: 'Rapid deployment and availability of this grant over the next few years will help provide the momentum that is essential to take the EV market from just one in four today, to four in five by the end of the decade. 'This announcement is a welcome response to consistent calls from the industry for more support, which will be in addition to the substantive subsidies already provided by manufacturers.' Simon Williams, head of road policy at the RAC, described the grant as 'just the shot-in-the arm needed to help more drivers go electric'. He added: 'Within weeks, discounted cars should start appearing at dealerships across the country. 'And, as the biggest savings will be given to cars with the strongest 'green' manufacturing credentials, drivers will be picking models that are not only better for their wallets, but better for the planet too.' Ford UK's managing director Lisa Brankin said the introduction of the ECG will slash the price of its new Puma Gen-E model. 'Today's confirmation of customer grants – reducing the cost of sub-£37k electric cars by up to £3,750 – is great news for UK drivers and will make purchasing an electric vehicle much more affordable,' she told This is Money. 'Ford applauds the UK government for taking this step. We have been on the frontline of the conversation, highlighting the urgent need for consumer-based incentives for electric vehicles, and now they have arrived. 'Ford Puma is the best-selling car in the UK and the government grant will help make the all-electric Puma Gen-E even more affordable.' Renault's managing director, Adam Wood, called the grants a 'much-needed signal that Government is ready to put tangible action behind the ambitious plans for the transition to electric vehicles that it has outlined'. Five of the best EVs likely eligible for the grant While any battery electric car with an RRP of £37,000 or below will be eligible for the grant, we will have to wait for manufacturers to apply for the grant before finding out which vehicles qualify - and which band and subsidy amount they will be categorised. However, here is a list of five of the best EVs on sale currently that are available for less than £37,000 - and should become cheaper to buy within a matter of weeks. Below, we have listed them with the potential start price if they are to qualify as band one and the full £3,750 grant allowance. 1. Renault 5 E-Tech - from £19,245 Current price from: £22,995. Versions under £37k: all. Range: up to 250 miles. The Renault 5 E-Tech is a reborn version of the legendary eighties model with battery power - and it has proved a huge success for the French manufacturer since it arrived in Britain earlier this year. Impressive driving characteristics, a premium feel to the cabin, and a more than adequate range of between 190 to 250 miles earned it the worthy title of European Car of the Year Award for 2025. With a starting price of £23,000 and even the top-spec Roland Garros version ringing in at less than £30,000, every version should be eligible for the grant. The 5 has been the best-selling EV in the UK retail sector in the months of April and May, so this is certainly one of the cars the grant is aimed at. 2. Nissan Leaf - from circa £26,250 Current price from: circa £30,000. Versions under £37k: TBC. Range: up to 375 miles. An all-new Nissan Leaf is due to hit showrooms this year. And, given it's the only mass-market EV produced in the UK [ since assembly of the Mini EV moved to China ] at the Sunderland plant in the Northeast, the Japanese brand will be hoping to meet the requirements to secure the full £3,750 'band one' grant allowance. Unlike the outgoing Leaf hatchback, the new model is a crossover with a jacked-up ride height and bulkier styling. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but bosses have hinted it will start from around £30,000. Even mid-to-top spec models are likely to sit below the grant's £37,000 threshold. Two battery options will be available from launch in 2025: a smaller - and cheaper - 52kWh unit offering up to 270 miles of range on a single charge and a larger 75kWh battery which ups the distance to 375 miles. 3. Citroen e-C3 - from £18,345 Current price from: £22,095. Versions under £37k: all. Range: up to 199 miles. There are plenty of compact EV options that should qualify for the ECG criteria, including the Dacia Spring (from £14,995) and Hyundai Inster (from £23,505). But our pick of the most attainably priced electric cars is Citroen's new e-C3 , which start from £22,095. With a range of up to 199 miles, an existing starting price a little over £22,000, and enough room for five adults, this practical and comfortable electric supermini could become even more affordable if it qualifies for the full ECG amount. Even the entry-spec models get a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while higher trim levels - all of them falling well below the grant's £37,000 ceiling - have heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a reversing camera. 4. Kia EV3 - from £29,255 Current price from: £33,005. Versions under £37k: EV3 Air. Range: up to 375 miles. Kia's latest - and smallest - model, the new EV3 , looks set to steal a march on rivals in the most competitive segment of all. With every brand on the planet seemingly offering a compact SUV, Kia's EV3 is our choice of the bunch exclusively with battery power. The entry 'Air' specification sits under the £37,000 ECG threshold with the choice of either the 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh battery. While the smaller battery model (starting from £33,005) offers a range up to 254 miles, the £36,005 Air with the Long Range 81.4kWh battery providing up to 375 miles on a single charge. Produced in Slovakia, it has a very good chance of meeting the DfT sustainable manufacturing criteria to be eligible for the grants. 5. Skoda Elroq - from £27,760 Current price from: £31,510. Versions under £37k: Elroq SE, SE-L and Edition. Range: up to 266 miles. For family car buyers, Skoda's Elroq is another quality option. And with three trims in its range likely to qualify for the ECG, a discount of up to £3,750 could make it compelling option. It's roomy, well-equipped and has that robust Volkswagen Group build quality. While not the most entertaining to drive, it's excellent value against comparable rivals. The entry Elroq SE with a 52kWh battery is the cheapest from £31,510, though this provides a maximum range of up to only 233 miles. The SE-L 60 and Edition 60 with the bigger 59kWh offer up to 266 miles and both sit below the grant's £37,000 cut-off for eligibility. Unfortunately, the larger 77kWh battery versions are all over the ECG's price threshold.
