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Join regular online events
Hear directly from project leaders, hosts, suppliers, policymakers and researchers.
A New Community Helping to Shape the Future of Rural and Islands EV Charging
The Rural Charge Collective will bring together chargepoint hosts, fleet operators, suppliers, funders, policymakers and advisers to exchange practical knowledge and build trusted connections which ensure the right type of chargers are available in the right places for residents and visitors.
Expressions of interest are free and carry no obligation.
Place-led infrastructure, built through collaboration
Hosts • fleets • suppliers • funders • communities
Destination charging
Fleet transition
Funding and policy
Reliability and maintenance
Rural economic value
The case for the collective
Rural and Islands EV Charging needs a better connected ecosystem.
Rural and island EV charging projects face a distinct mix of commercial, technical and operational challenges. Too often, they are tackled in silos.
Low and seasonal utilisation
Grid and power constraints
Long travel distances
Digital connectivity gaps
Fragmented funding
Limited local maintenance
The opportunity is larger than the charger.
Better infrastructure can support local business, resilient public transport, build visitor confidence, accelerate commercial fleet transition and create wider community value. The Rural Charge Collective will build constructive collaborations that ensure these opportunities are realised.
What members will gain
Useful knowledge. Trusted connections. Better Outcomes.
The collective will focus on the issues that determine whether rural charging works in practice—from funding and grid capacity to payments, accessibility, reliability, data and maintenance.
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Build useful connections
Meet potential partners, customers, advisers, funders and collaborators across the UK.
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Share case studies
Learn what worked, what did not and what others would do differently next time.
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Discuss policy barriers
Explore the practical implications of regulation, funding, planning and delivery choices.
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Develop opportunities
Identify places where members can combine expertise and work together on real needs.
Who it is for
Connecting local businesses and community organisations with suppliers, funders and expertise.
Rural and island businesses and community organisations
- Potential and existing chargepoint hosts
- Hospitality and accommodation businesses
- Visitor attractions and rural retailers
- Community organisations and landowners
- Local authorities and public bodies
- Electric van, truck and bus fleet operators
Infrastructure, funding and expertise
- Chargepoint manufacturers and installers
- Chargepoint operators and maintainers
- Energy and grid specialists
- Government, local authorities and funders
- Finance providers and investors
- Data, analytics, consultancy and research
You do not need to be an EV charging expert. The community is open to anyone who is motivated to make rural and island EV charging networks accessible, affordable and resilient.
How the community will work
Place-led, not charger-led.
PRINCIPLE 01
Place-led
Begin with local journeys, businesses, fleets, visitors and community needs.
PRINCIPLE 02
Practical
Focus on implementable lessons, transparent evidence and delivery experience.
PRINCIPLE 03
Collaborative
Create neutral space for demand and supply-side stakeholders to find shared solutions.
About the founder
Founded by Alex Reid.
Alex Reid is an independent transport and infrastructure consultant and founder of Rural Charge Weekly. He has more than 30 years’ experience across digital communications, payments and transport infrastructure, with recent work focused on rural EV charging, integrated transport, water transport and the decarbonisation challenges facing rural and island communities.
His work consistently makes the case that infrastructure should be designed around places, journeys and economic outcomes—not deployed as a collection of disconnected assets.
“By connecting local demand with the right expertise, evidence and investment, we can deliver charging that creates lasting value.”
Register your interest
Become a founding member and help shape the community from the beginning.
Register to receive launch updates, invitations to the first online sessions and opportunities to suggest the issues the community should prioritise.
- Be among the first invited to launch events
- Influence the initial programme and priorities
- Find relevant people across demand and supply
Frequently asked questions
Before you register.
Is there a membership fee?
The initial expression of interest and launch events will be free. Any future membership options will be explained clearly before commitments are requested.
Is the community only for Scotland?
No. Rural Charge Collective is UK-wide, with attention to the different needs and policy contexts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Do I need an active charging project?
No. You may be delivering infrastructure, planning a project, operating electric vehicles, considering hosting chargers or offering relevant expertise.
Will suppliers be allowed to sell?
Useful commercial connections are welcome, but events and discussions must remain relevant, evidence-led and free from aggressive sales pitches.
Place-Based Collaboration Is Essential to Decarbonising Rural and Island Transport.
Join the people working to make charging more accessible, reliable and valuable to rural and island communities.
Register your interest