Strategic charging infrastructure
Find out how we're supporting the delivery of ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging by sharing practical guidance, industry insights and lessons learned.
This information is designed to support:
- service area operators
- A-road operators
- truck-stop operators on the strategic road network
- contractors
- distribution network operators
- charge point operators
It provides practical guidance and resources for all stages of ultra-rapid and rapid EV charge point installation.
The network management map shows the location of roads we manage, including trunk motorways and major A roads.
Section 1: Design and approvals
Section 3: Statutory undertaker process and related risks
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Section 1: Design and approvals
Signage guidance
This document provides updated advice on the signing of roadside facilities, including EV hubs, on England’s motorway and all-purpose trunk road network.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Understand the criteria and process for obtaining signage approval.
- Charge point operators: Align infrastructure planning and operations with signage requirements to ensure visibility and accessibility.
- Private infrastructure developers: Incorporate signage considerations into early-stage planning, design, and commercial strategies.
Signing of roadside facilities on the motorway and all-purpose trunk road network
In September 2025, the Department for Transport (DfT) issued a network-wide signs authorisation (GT50/198/0122) permitting the use of the legend 'EV hub' on direction signs on all-purpose trunk roads (APTRs), excluding motorways, where National Highways is the traffic authority.
Annex A of the authorisation sets out the minimum facility criteria for APTR EV hubs, which are not currently covered in the DfT Circular 01/2022: Strategic Road Network (SRN) and the Delivery of Sustainable Development. View the redacted authorisation here.
Standard project steps
A visual or step-by-step guide outlining each phase of EV charge point delivery on the strategic road network.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Understand the key delivery phases to better manage timelines and internal approvals.
- Charge point operators: Align build plans with required design, land access, and installation sequences.
- Private infrastructure firms: Use as a planning aid for site assessments and early project framing.
Standard project steps for installing charge points in SRN service areas flowchart
EV accessibility standards
Design and layout standards to ensure charge points are accessible to all users.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Ensure designs comply with best practice and avoid retrofit costs.
- Charge point operators: Integrate accessibility into bay layout, signage, and equipment selection.
- Private infrastructure firms: Demonstrate environmental, social and governance, and inclusivity credentials in investment proposals.
Electric vehicle accessible charging standard PAS 1899
ChargeUK
Industry body representing charge point operators; shares policy, best practice, and events.
Stakeholders:
- Charge point operators: Stay up to date with industry standards, consultations, and policy changes.
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Identify vetted and active charge point partners.
- Private infrastructure firms: Gain insight into partnership trends and industry perspectives.
Visit the ChargeUK website.
Energy networks – connecting fleets
Practical guidance for engaging distribution network operators to connect electric vehicle infrastructure.
Stakeholders:
- Charge point operators, private infrastructure firms: Understand network engagement early in development.
- Service area and truck-stop operators: Anticipate grid process and requirements during procurement.
- A-road operators: Inform highway-side infrastructure planning with realistic timelines.
Section 2: Grid upgrades
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB)
National Highways' core design standards for any works affecting roads or structures.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Use for design submissions and technical approvals.
- Charge point operators, private infrastructure firms: Align civil design with road authority requirements.
Visit the DMRB website.
Land and planning
Summary of what permissions, land access, and planning consents may be required.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Clarify what consents are needed and where National Highways input applies.
- Charge point operators, private infrastructure firms: Identify land and lease risks in site selection.
National planning policy framework (December 2024)
Renewable energy good practice
Advice for integrating solar or battery technology to make charge points more sustainable.
Stakeholders:
- Charge point operators: Enhance site resilience and sustainability.
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Explore renewable power purchase agreements or on-site solar integration.
- Private infrastructure firms: Support low-carbon investment cases.
Renewable energy good practice guidance 2023
Planning for the future
Internal National Highways guidance on strategic planning principles for electric vehicle infrastructure rollout.
Stakeholders:
- All stakeholders: Understand how future demand and network strategies may affect your site.
Planning for the future: A guide to working with National Highways on planning matters
Role of local authorities
Guide from the Local Government Association explaining local council responsibilities and opportunities.
Stakeholders:
- Truck stop operators, private infrastructure firms: Identify engagement opportunities with councils.
- Charge point operators: Explore local partnerships and funding pathways.
Scoping the role of local authorities in the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Lorry parking demand
An interactive mapping tool showing current and forecasted demand for truck stops across the Strategic Road Network. It includes location-specific insights based on freight traffic patterns, helping identify priority areas for future infrastructure.
Stakeholders:
- Truck stop operators: Pinpoint high-demand locations to prioritise potential EV charging investment.
- Charge point operators, private infrastructure firms: Inform business cases by aligning site selection with freight demand hotspots.
Lorry parking demand assessment app
Sustainable development guidance
DfT framework for delivering infrastructure sustainably on trunk roads and motorways.
Stakeholders:
- Service area and A-road operators: Ensure projects align with National Highways planning expectations.
- Private infrastructure firms: Strengthen alignment with wider sustainability goals.
Strategic road network and the delivery of sustainable development
National Highways planning portal
Main National Highways page for developers interacting with the Strategic Road Network planning system.
Stakeholders:
- All stakeholders: Use for pre-application engagement, consent routes, and contacts.
Planning and the strategic road network in England
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) guidance
Professional standards covering valuation, land development, and surveying.
Stakeholders:
- Service area operators, private infrastructure firms: Support land acquisition and feasibility decisions.
- Charge point operators: Benchmark land values and development models.
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) landowner advice
Advice for rural landowners on development, energy, and leasing.
Stakeholders:
- Truck stop operators, private infrastructure firms: Identify landowner concerns and resolve early-stage barriers.
Section 3: Statutory undertaker process and related risks
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD)
A trenchless method for installing utilities (such as power cables or ducts) beneath roads, rivers, or environmentally sensitive areas without open-cut excavation.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Use HDD to avoid major surface disruption at active sites. Understand space and access needs.
- Charge point operators: Frequently needed for crossing carriageways with high-voltage cabling. Requires specialist contractors and planning.
- Private infrastructure firms: Evaluate as a solution for constrained or high-risk locations.
Directional drilling for motorway crossings
Geotechnical risk assessment
Assessment of ground conditions such as soil type, stability and load-bearing capacity to inform excavation, foundation or trenching works.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Important for safely siting heavy equipment and avoiding costly redesigns.
- Charge point operators: Enables safe placement of cables and foundations, supporting build assurance.
- Private infrastructure firms: De-risk investment decisions and avoid unexpected ground condition costs.
CD 622 - Managing geotechnical risk
Street works regulations
Government guidance on conducting street works, including notification requirements, traffic management and reinstatement standards.
Stakeholders:
- All stakeholders: Ensure legal compliance when carrying out any excavation, utility works, or reinstatement in the highway.
Network Rail asset protection
Requirements for working near rail infrastructure.
Stakeholders:
- Private firms, truck-stop operators: Flag if a site lies near rail infrastructure to manage risks early.
Section 4: Battery storage solution
Grid scale electrical energy storage systems
Introduction to using batteries as a temporary or supplementary power source.
Stakeholders:
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Explore battery systems where grid upgrades are delayed.
- Charge point operators: Assess technical and commercial feasibility of storage integration.
- Private firms: Identify innovation opportunities or pilot investments.
Health and safety guidance for grid scale electrical energy storage systems
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) fire safety
Fire risk and land use safety standards for installations involving electrical systems and batteries.
Stakeholders:
- All stakeholders: Ensure safety compliance and mitigate risks in site design.
Grid scale battery energy storage system planning – guidance for fire and rescue services
Section 5: Operation
Public charge point regulations overview
Regulatory expectations for charge point operators around pricing, access, and reliability.
Stakeholders:
- Charge point operators: Must comply with payment, reliability, and user access regulations.
- Service area, A-road and truck-stop operators: Ensure partners are compliant.
- Private firms: Understand future obligations if entering the EV charging market.
Regulations: public charge points
2023 charge point regulations guidance
Full technical guidance for implementing the 2023 regulations.
Stakeholders:
- Charge point operators: Interpret rules for implementation.
- Other stakeholders: Use to monitor partner compliance and customer experience standards.
Contact us
If you need a response about a specific development proposal, or have a general query, please contact the Strategic Charging Infrastructure Team.
