The EV charge point rollout across the UK has taken a significant step forward as London-based energy tech firm Believ secures a £300M investment facility to support the installation of at least 30,000 new electric vehicle charging stations nationwide.
The expansion promises relief for drivers frustrated by limited access to public charging points. The UK government’s plan to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035 has added urgency to developing nationwide infrastructure. Believ’s ambitious contribution — enabled by funding from Liberty Global, Zouk Capital, Santander, ABN Amro, NatWest and MUFG — comes as momentum builds to reach the UK’s target of 300,000 public chargers by 2030. At present, that number stands at around 80,000.
A mission fuelled by urgency and infrastructure gaps
Believ’s CEO, Guy Bartlett, emphasised the importance of long-term commitment in scaling clean transport: “Confidence in EVs will continue to grow as drivers see more infrastructure going into the ground. At Believ, we are very proud to be at the heart of this journey.”
The £300M capital injection aims to bridge a significant infrastructure gap. Bartlett added, “This new funding recognises the scale of investment required and the urgency of the need.” The company plans to work closely with both public bodies and private sector partners to deploy the new charge points across urban and rural areas.
Believ’s rollout will focus primarily on on-street, residential locations, targeting drivers without off-street parking and rural and underserved communities. The company will also install chargers at retail and hospitality venues, aiming to provide both convenience for drivers and economic benefits for local businesses.
Government support has helped lay the groundwork for private sector investments like Believ’s. The UK has committed £2.3B to support EV adoption, including a £200M public infrastructure fund and a £381M allocation to local authorities to bolster charging networks. Lilian Greenwood, Minister at the Department of Transport, said: “Believ’s investment is a brilliant vote of confidence in the transition to electric and another fantastic example of government and industry working together to roll out tens of thousands of charge points across the country.”
Backers with a track record in sustainable infrastructure
A mix of equity and debt investments made this funding milestone possible. Liberty Global, a multinational telecommunications and broadband company, and Zouk Capital, a sustainable infrastructure investor jointly own Believ. Zouk is well known for managing the UK Treasury’s Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund (CIIF), which has supported numerous EV projects including InstaVolt and char.gy. Liberty Global, with decades of experience in digital infrastructure, brings operational scale and cross-sectoral expertise.
Zouk Capital partner Massimo Resta commented, “This landmark investment is a major moment, not just for Believ, but for the UK’s electric future. The EV market is at an inflexion point. EV penetration is expected to accelerate driven by the arrival of new mass-market vehicles at attractive price points. The EV charging rollout required to support the transition needs long-term private investment with strong partners.”
Debt financing was provided by major lenders including Santander, ABN Amro, NatWest, and MUFG, reflecting institutional confidence in Believ’s growth strategy and the long-term demand for charging infrastructure.
Liberty Global’s Jonathan Pearson also highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, noting that Virgin Media O2 will be a key delivery partner for Believ’s network expansion.
Building Believ from the ground up
Founded by a diverse team of energy infrastructure and sustainability experts, Believ has focused on solving one core problem—accelerating equitable access to EV charging. CEO Guy Bartlett, who leads the team, brings decades of experience in utilities and energy infrastructure, having previously served in executive roles at ENGIE and SSE. The founding team, headquartered in London, was brought together by a shared frustration with the uneven distribution of charge points across UK cities and rural areas.
From the outset, Believ has focused on working with local authorities to install kerbside charge points in areas often overlooked by commercial networks. This mission-driven approach has helped the company grow rapidly, winning major public sector contracts and forming partnerships that span housing estates, business parks, and residential streets.
Recent contract wins include a major LEVI funding tender from Suffolk County Council (6,000 charge points) and a rollout at Luton Council’s residential car parks.
The road ahead for Believ
Believ’s plans extend beyond the 30,000 chargers targeted in the current phase. The company is preparing for rapid expansion, hiring across engineering, sales, and partnerships teams, and investing in proprietary software to manage charging networks more efficiently. By embedding its technology into local planning frameworks, Believ aims to offer solutions that are future-proof and easily scalable.
Believ’s charging tariffs are designed to be competitive and accessible: ‘Fast’ charging (up to 22kW) is priced at £0.56/kWh, while ‘Rapid’ and ‘Ultra rapid’ charging (50kW+) are set at £0.66/kWh. All charge points feature dual sockets, with output varying based on simultaneous use.
In a market where competitors like Be.EV, InstaVolt, and Pod Point are also racing to expand, Believ differentiates itself through a deep partnership model and a mission-first ethos. Rather than focusing only on high-traffic areas, Believ prioritises accessibility and fairness in deployment, aiming to ensure all communities can participate in the EV transition.
As mass-market EVs become more affordable and battery ranges increase, Believ’s role in supporting driver confidence is set to grow. With the UK’s climate goals in sight and government policy aligned, this latest round of funding positions the company as one of the key players in delivering the charging network Britain needs.
