Reporter: Stuart Littleford
Richard Turnbull, Head of Public Affairs at charge point operator (CPO), Believ, has a long-standing career in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. As the market scales and evolves to meet growing EV demand, and continues to adapt, Richard shares his thoughts with GPSJ on the latest policy measures, how they impact the rollout of charging infrastructure, and what more can be done to accelerate the EV transition.
Tell us a bit about your career, and how you found your way to Believ and the position of ‘Head of Public Affairs?
I’ve been working in the EV space since 2009, mainly focused on charging infrastructure. My work has always been at the crossroads of policy, sustainability, and collaborative partnerships, helping shape the regulations and standards that enable zero-emission mobility.
Joining Believ was a natural next step, as it allowed me to build on this experience and contribute to delivering reliable, affordable, and accessible charging infrastructure, which is key to achieving cleaner air for all.
What does your role at Believ entail on a day-to-day basis?
My role is all about engaging with both public and private sector stakeholders to understand pain points, barriers to progress and what Believ can do to speed up the EV rollout. I spend considerable time working with trade associations like Charge UK, where I chair the On-Street Working Group. We engage with policymakers and contribute to shaping the policies that govern how public charging infrastructure is rolled out and managed.
There’s always something happening! We’re now over a year into the enforcement of Public Charge Point Regulations, and December 2025 saw the publication of the PAS 1899 Review. In the run up to, and following last year’s Autumn Budget announcement there have been several consultations to address issues around affordability and grid challenges. For me, it’s great to see companies like Believ investing in public affairs and policy roles, helping drive positive change across the sector.
Ultimately, my role supports Believ’s ability to achieve its objectives by making sure there’s alignment between policy and market conditions. This helps consumers and fleets switch to EVs with confidence.
Why did you choose to work in the EV charging industry?
I grew up in New Zealand, where the environment was a big part of the school curriculum. As a result, environmental impact has always been front of mind for me. In 2008, I took the opportunity to reset my career and joined an EV startup as their first employee in 2009… and I’ve been hooked ever since!
Overall, I’d say that the EV charging industry helps me play a role in making cleaner transport the norm for future generations.
How do you interpret the EV-related measures in last year’s Autumn Budget?
The proposed Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED pay-per-mile) measure certainly grabbed everyone’s attention, but the real question will be how it’s implemented. Hopefully, the consultation the government launched following last year’s budget will bring much-needed clarity and fairness to its application, ensuring a smooth transition and continued EV uptake.
Another key milestone will be 31st August 2026 which sees the end to the fuel duty freeze, which will likely highlight the cost benefits of EV ownership. Additionally, the ten-year business rates relief announced in last years’ budget forCPOs is a step in the right direction, as it helps with the heavy investments needed ahead of demand.
In the long run, I hope the government will take a broader look at the fairness of its tax policies, ensuring that EVs are treated fairly and that taxes on high-polluting vehicles are higher to balance the scale.
How important is the commitment to VAT reduction in demonstrating that policy changes can deliver real savings for EV drivers?
Aligning VAT on public charging (currently 20%) with home energy (at 5%) is simply fair, and would deliver meaningful savings for drivers, especially those who rely on public networks. While last year’s Budget didn’t cut VAT, the government has committed to a review of charging costs, including VAT, by the end of 2026. This is a critical opportunity to explore how overall costs – including capacity and standing charges – can better support the transition to EVs.
When you consider how those with off-street parking are typically more affluent and have cheaper access to charging, reducing VAT would make EVs more accessible for those without off-street parking, levelling the playing field.
What types of grants or incentives would make the biggest difference to drivers right now?
Personally, I’d support a robust scrappage scheme to remove the most polluting vehicles from UK roads and support drivers switching to second-hand EVs would nicely complement the current EV Grant scheme that focuses on new vehicle sales. We also need action on legacy, low-power charge points that create inconsistent user experiences.
If the government fails to enhance affordability, what risks does that create for the UK’s EV transition timeline?
Affordability is a key driver to ensure the EV transition continues at pace. If the government doesn’t move quickly on issues like VAT, standing charges, and energy pricing, we risk slowing down adoption. The Cost of Charging Review is a great opportunity for government to review these costs and support both industry and drivers to make EV accessible to all.
At Believ, we’re working to improve affordability through our own efforts, such as better energy contracts and offering off-peak rates. But the government needs to keep doing their part to support the decarbonisation of transport, and with the upcoming charging review ithey have the opportunity to do this.
Believ is driven by the belief that sustainable transport should be accessible to all. With this in mind, what are your thoughts on the report reviewing the PAS 1899 EV accessibility guidance?
At Believ, we are fully committed to improving accessibility, both in terms of our physical products and the digital experiences we offer. Our £300 million investment is a clear demonstration of that commitment. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that charging works better for everyone, and we welcome the PAS 1899 report as another important step forward.
The report makes some great recommendations but also highlights ongoing technical challenges, like cable weight and required force particularly on ultra rapid chargers, that will require sustained research and development from operators, manufacturers, and policymakers. The report also makes the recommendation to align with European Standards bodies Cen & CENELEC, which I think is a positive step when thinking about mobility for a global market. Accessibility is an area we are committed to, leaving no one behind in the transition to EVs.
If you had four wishes to help accelerate the rollout of EV charging throughout the rest of 2026, what would they be?
1. Reduce VAT on public charging to 5%, aligning it with home energy. This would make charging more equitable, benefiting those who rely on public networks.
2. Address high capacity and standing charges. These upfront costs for energy are penalising CPOs for installing future proof charging capacity. This needs to be addressed to ensure that the sector can grow sustainably.
3. Streamline grid connections. A more efficient and standardised process for connecting to the grid would help accelerate deployments and reduce delays, making it easier to scale the infrastructure to meet demand.
4. As a fourth wish, I’d love to see the adoption of wireless charging take off. This would truly transform the user experience and make charging accessible for all!
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