As the UK moves into a period of tighter budget planning and continued debate around electric vehicle incentives, the ‘Powered Up’ Conference on 21 January 2026 will highlight the enormous opportunities ahead for Britain’s clean mobility sector.
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Rather than focusing on uncertainty, the event will demonstrate how innovative finance models, strategic investment, and collaborative thinking can accelerate the transition far more powerfully than technology alone. Delegates will explore why financial leadership – spanning leasing, mobility services, infrastructure funding, and consumer solutions has become the true catalyst for nationwide EV adoption. I will highlight how the industry can work together to unlock the next phase of growth.
When we first imagined the Powered Up Conference at the London Transport Museum, our aim was to create something that cut through the noise. We wanted to bring together people who are genuinely driving the shift to cleaner transport and give them the space to talk openly about what is working, what is not, and what comes next. The result was a gathering that felt alive with purpose. The first event was about conversations that mattered and connections that led to realworld outcomes.
From the moment the doors opened, there was an energy that you could feel. People were not there to be sold to; they were there to collaborate. The atmosphere reminded us that progress does not happen by chance. It happens when you gather the right people, give them the right platform, and allow honest discussion to take centre stage. That spirit became the foundation of what Powered Up stands for, and it is exactly what we are bringing back for the 2026 edition on Wednesday 21 January.
Collaborating again with the Everything Electric SHOW, Electric Vehicles UK, and other industry leads, the event further underlines that the next phase of the transition will not be defined purely by technology or ambition alone. We need to understand the financial frameworks that make the shift scalable and sustainable. Innovation is vital, but without smart finance and investor confidence, the pace of progress will inevitably slow.
Powered Up will once again take over the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, this time under the theme Finance, Fleet and the Future of Clean Mobility. It is a title that reflects where the industry truly stands.
That is why we are delighted to announce Close Brothers Asset Finance as the Lead Partner for Powered Up 2026. Their involvement is more than a sponsorship; it is a partnership built on shared purpose.
For more than a century, Close Brothers has been one of the UK’s most respected business financiers, supporting companies through every stage of growth and adaptation. Their growing focus on sustainability-led lending aligns perfectly with the conversations Powered Up was created to spark. When we met with Andrew New and his team, it was immediately clear that they understood both the urgency and the opportunity within the clean mobility transition. They are already helping SMEs across the country to invest in new technology, electrify their fleets, and embrace greener operations. They recognise that moving to low-carbon transport is not simply about environmental responsibility; it is about long-term business resilience.
As Mr New, Head of ESG Lending at Close Brothers Asset Finance, explains,
“As Lead Partner in Powered Up 2026, Close Brothers Asset Finance is committed to supporting UK SMEs as they transition to clean mobility. We understand that securing funding can be challenging for many businesses, which is why our experience in the sector is so vital. Our involvement in Powered Up 2026 highlights our dedication to financing the shift toward cleaner transport solutions.”
That kind of commitment matters because finance is now the real driver of decarbonisation. Technology is advancing quickly, but the economics around it are tightening. As we head toward the next UK Budget, there are growing signs that the political and fiscal climate for electric vehicles could become more difficult. Incentives are shrinking, infrastructure investment is slowing, and many fleet operators are watching anxiously to see if further cuts or delays to zero emission targets might follow. The sector needs clarity and confidence to plan effectively, and that is what makes this year’s Powered Up Conference so important.
Our previous events were staged both at the Transport Museum and on Brighton Beach. Here the late great Quentin Willson led a sparky, session attended by over 150 people busting EV myths and stirring the “Green energy pot” Events like this give industry leaders and financiers the space to share perspectives and address the challenges head-on. There is a real risk that without strong financial backing, the UK could lose momentum just as adoption rates are beginning to accelerate. We have already seen warning signs in the private EV market, where uncertainty over policy has affected both consumer confidence and resale values.
Fleet managers are also grappling with rising costs and inconsistent infrastructure, and they need reassurance that long-term investment remains viable.
Powered Up 2026 will focus squarely on these realities. Across five panel discussions and a series of keynote sessions, we will explore what financing models, policy changes, and infrastructure investments are needed to keep the transition moving. The panels will bring together experts from across finance, energy, logistics, and government to discuss how cleaner transport can be made both commercially and socially sustainable. The goal is not vague ambition but practical pathways.
The structure is deliberately focused. The afternoon format encourages more intimate, meaningful interaction between participants. Every delegate applies to attend, and each application is reviewed manually. That ensures that the people in the room are there for a reason. They have influence, experience, and a genuine stake in the transition. The day will conclude with a drinks reception in the museum’s upper gallery, offering space to network and reflect beneath the history of transport innovation that has defined the venue for generations.
For us, this event is the natural evolution of what began with the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally. When we launched the rally, it was designed to make the idea of clean mobility tangible. It showed that electric transport could be exciting, accessible, and inspiring. Over the past five years, it has grown into one of the UK’s most recognised sustainability events, bringing together carmakers, charging companies, local authorities, and the public. But we always knew there was another level to reach, a space for decision-makers to connect and drive strategic change. Powered Up was created to be that space.
The feedback from the first Powered Up Conference confirmed that the industry needed it. Delegates told us they valued the focus, honesty, and opportunity to meet others who shared their challenges and ambitions. There was no sense of competition in the room, only collaboration. By the end of the day, partnerships were forming, and plans were being made. That is what makes this format so effective. It is not about endless discussion but about creating an environment where real action can begin.
This year’s event arrives at a critical moment. The UK’s progress toward net zero is under scrutiny. Targets remain ambitious, but funding, infrastructure, and policy are under strain. Fleet managers are facing rising costs. Energy providers are working to expand capacity. Financial institutions are seeking long-term stability.
None of these challenges exist in isolation, and none can be solved without collaboration. Powered Up is designed to bring those worlds together so that they can move forward in sync.
The London Transport Museum provides the perfect setting for that conversation. Surrounded by the history of more than a century of innovation, delegates will discuss what must happen next to secure the future of clean transport. The event will end with a catered, drinks reception at the Marquess of Anglesey pub on the corner of Covent Garden. Giving people the chance to continue their conversations in a more relaxed setting and as was the case last time, turn ideas into partnerships.
As questions grow about the strength of government support for electric mobility, the importance of private investment and financial innovation becomes even clearer. The clean transport revolution will not slow down if the people behind it remain committed, informed, and connected.
In truth, the next few years will be decisive for the future of clean transport in Britain. Whether we accelerate or stall will depend on the partnerships formed today. It is easy to talk about targets, but the real challenge is delivery. The Powered Up Conference is about bringing together the people who can make that happen, people who have the authority to act, the resources to invest, and the vision to see where the opportunity lies.
About the author
Bill Murray is a broadcast journalist with over 14 years experience in the sector. Back in 2022, Bill and fellow EV blood hound Harrison Hughes founded Electra Connect to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. Their partnership has driven the creation of major industry events, including the Powered Up Conference, the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally, and the Charge & Drive series. Alongside events, Electra Connect provides PR and consultancy services to industry leaders, ensuring businesses pioneering sustainable transport receive the strategic support and visibility they need. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Bill and Harrison continue to shape the EV landscape across the UK.
