Key stakeholders

Who are the key stakeholders in the EV charging industry?

You can’t deliver EV charging alone; you'll need to work with a range of stakeholders and partners. You need to talk to the right people early, especially those who supply your electricity. This will help you plan your project so that it can run smoothly and avoid delays.

The table provides an overview of the key players involved in the energisation, installation and management of EV charging on the Strategic Road Network.

Stakeholder	Distribution network operator (DNO)	Independent distribution network operator (IDNO)	Independent connection provider (ICP)	Charge point operator (CPO)
Role	Responsible for maintaining, repairing and upgrading the electricity distribution network that connects homes and businesses to the national grid.	Owns, operates and maintains local electricity distribution networks, often in new developments or specific areas, independently of the regional DNOs.	ICPs build electricity connections and networks.	CPOs are responsible for building and managing electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Further detail	This includes power lines, substations and transformers. They operate in geographic regions of the UK.	They introduce competition into the electricity distribution sector, potentially offering more cost-effective solutions for new connections and network extensions.	ICPs don't operate electricity connections and networks - a DNO or IDNO must take them over.	This includes the chargers themselves and the infrastructure needed to make chargers work on the site (for example cabling, switchboards, bay markings and bollards).
Considerations	DNOs and IDNOs are both licensed by Ofgem, but IDNOs can help to mitigate financial risk by deducting construction costs posed by a developer (known as an asset value payment).	DNOs and IDNOs are both licensed by Ofgem, but IDNOs can help to mitigate financial risk by deducting construction costs posed by a developer (known as an asset value payment).	An ICP's remit can include designing new connections, digging trenches, and installing switches and transformers.	This includes keeping chargers working, safe, connected and available for drivers.

Industry and public bodies

EV charging delivery needs to consider transport and energy networks, land ownership and consumer behaviour, so no single organisation oversees everything. Industry needs public bodies for clear policy, land and regulatory certainty, while public bodies need industry for investment, technical delivery, and long‑term operation and innovation. Here are key organisations and considerations that can support in the goal to net zero.

National Highways

We're the government company which plans, designs, builds, operates and maintains England's motorways and major A-roads, known as the strategic road network.

We help to move EV charging from idea to operation by facilitating cross-organisational discussions on charging, advising on signage, and reviewing applications for consent for working on or near the strategic road network.

Industry bodies

Industry bodies and groups representing organisations involved in the installation of charge points sharing policy and best practice

Energy networks association (ENA): representing licensed DNOs in the UK

Independent networks association (INA): representing the 30+ IDNOs and 100+ ICPs in the UK

ChargeUK: representing charge point operators

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): representing the land and property sector

Country Land and Business Association (CLA): advice for rural landowners on development, energy and leasing

Consumer groups

Consumer groups protect consumers' rights, influence policy, promote fair pricing and access, highlight poor service, and provide public advice.

EVA England: aim to ensure EV transition benefits consumers, not just industry or government

Recharge UK: representing organisations that design, fund, install and operate EV charging infrastructure

RiDC: works to make products, services and environments more inclusive and accessible for disabled and older people

Transport Focus: represents the views of road users and makes sure that their needs influence decisions made by government, regulators and transport operators.

Planning, consenting and advisory authorities

EV charging infrastructure must comply with planning, consenting and safety rules, and be mindful of accessibility standards and consumer protections.

Local planning authorities: planning consents and building regulations to enable delivery

Energy Saving Trust: accessibility, guidance

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

British Standards Institute (BSI): good design

National Fire Chief's Council (NFCC): fire safety

Wider UK government

Central government sets the policy, regulations and standards for EV charging.

Department for Transport (DfT): supports the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. Plans and invests in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move

The HM Government Catapult Network: coordinates and supports the UK research and innovation sector

Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV): provides support for the take-up of plug-in vehicles, through a variety of policy setting, regulation making and discrete funding activity.