#51: Industry under duress

Uber expands charging access, Trump ends EV tax credit, BYD and Octopus launch V2G bundle

Author

Steve Taylor
July 05, 2025

The Business and Policy of Charging Infrastructure

The 3 big stories

  • Uber secures major EV charging deals in the US and Europe

  • “Big, beautiful bill” ends tax breaks for EV’s

  • Octopus Energy and BYD launch UK’s first integrated V2G EV bundle

Plus, featured jobs and news.

Enjoy,
Steve

Industry News

Uber and C40 Cities have partnered to expand EV charging access in London, Boston, and Phoenix, with the goal of supporting 55,000+ Uber drivers who lack affordable or convenient charging.

The initiative combines policy, data, and tech to accelerate deployment in underserved neighborhoods.

Uber’s new EVIE tool maps neighborhood-level demand across 40 global cities, identifying zones like Hounslow (London), Maryvale (Phoenix), and Dorchester (Boston) as high-priority.

Access to charging has now overtaken EV cost as the number one barrier to EV adoption among Uber drivers in both the U.S. and U.K., according to Uber surveys.

Uber estimates the need for 10,000+ public fast chargers and 270,000 home chargers, with focus on dense urban areas, economic opportunity zones, and transport hubs.

This builds on Uber’s earlier £5M investment in London, where chargers in targeted boroughs now see 2x the national utilization rate.

Steve’s take

This partnership is one of the more focused examples we’ve seen of how rideshare companies can drive infrastructure outcomes that benefit both drivers and cities.

Companies like Uber have an incredible amount of data to inform public charger deployment using hyperlocal demand signals, which is important for both efficiency and equity.

Personally, I’m excited to see rideshare platforms leading here. These companies are well-positioned to steer public charging to neighborhoods where it’s most needed.

Power and Policy

In a major shift for the U.S. electric vehicle market, President Donald Trump signed into law the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” on July 4, 2025, which brings an end to the popular federal tax credits for both new and used electric vehicles. The legislation, which Republican leaders have hailed as a victory for fiscal responsibility and energy independence, will phase out the $7,500 credit for new EVs and the $4,000 credit for used EVs for vehicles purchased after September 30, 2025.

Supporters of the bill, including President Trump, argue that the federal government should not be picking winners and losers in the marketplace and that the free market—not taxpayer subsidies—should drive consumer choices in the auto industry. They also contend that the existing credits disproportionately benefit wealthier Americans who can afford to buy EVs, while middle- and lower-income households bear the cost.

Critics, however, warn that the repeal of these credits will likely slow the adoption of electric vehicles at a time when the global auto industry is rapidly shifting toward electrification. Environmental advocates and many Democrats argue that the move undermines efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will hinder progress on climate goals. There are also concerns about how the policy shift will affect American automakers, who have invested heavily in EV production and now face increased competition from foreign manufacturers operating in countries where government incentives remain in place.

Rob’s take 

The rollback of these incentives marks a significant departure from the policies of the Biden administration, which expanded EV tax credits as part of broader efforts to accelerate the transition to clean energy and combat climate change. Under the new law, not only are EV tax credits being eliminated, but other clean energy incentives—such as those for home solar, energy efficiency upgrades, and electric vehicle charging stations—are also being scaled back or set to expire.

In anticipation of the new deadlines, a rush of EV purchases is expected over the coming months as consumers try to take advantage of the credits before they disappear. After September 30, 2025, experts predict a possible dip in EV sales, at least in the short term, as the higher upfront costs of electric vehicles may deter some buyers.

Emerging Tech

Octopus Energy and BYD are launching the UK’s first all-in-one vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bundle, which combines a V2G-enabled electric vehicle, bi-directional charger, and smart energy tariff into a single, all-inclusive lease under £300/month.

The Power Pack Bundle includes a BYD Dolphin EV, a Zaptec Pro charger, and guaranteed free home charging. It uses Octopus’ Kraken tech platform to automate charging when electricity is cheap and export power when it’s expensive, allowing drivers to cut annual fuel costs by up to £1,000.

The offer transforms EVs into mobile energy assets, helping reduce grid strain and fossil fuel use while allowing drivers to effectively drive for free.

Steve’s take

Integrating bi-directional capabilities directly into the vehicle, bundling it with a smart tariff, and removing setup friction is a significant turning point for grid-interactive EVs.

It also highlights the power of vertical integration in which Octopus controls the energy, software, and leasing allowing them to offer benefits like free charging.

For U.S. CPOs, utilities, and automakers, this collaboration is worth watching. If replicated and scaled in other markets, V2G could finally shift from concept to competitive advantage, especially for fleets, multi-family properties, and cost-sensitive drivers.

You can find more EV industry jobs here.

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⚡️Steve and Rob

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