London expands EV charging, Portugal leads European EV competitiveness

London’s public electric‑vehicle charging network now approaches 28,000 points and is slated to exceed 43,000 by 2030, supporting a rise to 25 % of new car sales being fully electric between early 2026 and June. The city’s Congestion Charge zone applies differentiated daily fees – £18 for most vehicles, reduced to £13.50 for EVs using Auto Pay – encouraging adoption while managing traffic flow.

A 2026 Ayvens Mobility Guide study ranks Portugal as the most cost‑competitive European market for hiring electric vehicles, placing it in the continent’s top‑seven for EV mobility. The total cost of ownership for EVs in Portugal averages €0.25 per kilometre versus €0.39 for combustion‑engine cars, a substantial saving for businesses. The report highlights the need for expanded charging infrastructure and stable public‑policy frameworks to sustain the transition.

Both developments underscore the accelerating shift toward electric mobility in key European regions, with infrastructure expansion in London and favorable economics in Portugal driving broader market growth.