A Solid Foundation: The Concrete Idea Accelerating the EV Rollout

PETERBOROUGH, England – December 08, 2025 – While investors and consumers fixate on battery range, charging speeds, and sleek vehicle designs, the electric vehicle revolution is quietly being won and lost on muddy construction sites. It is here, in the unglamorous world of concrete and conduits, that a critical bottleneck threatens to stall the global transition to electric mobility. This reality wasn't lost on Trevor Palmer, a former electrical contractor whose on-the-ground frustration has culminated in a prestigious recognition: the Global Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 award at The Allica Bank British Entrepreneur Awards.

Palmer’s company, EV Blocks, doesn't make the chargers or the cars. It makes the pre-cast concrete blocks they sit on. While seemingly mundane, this innovation is proving to be a pivotal force in streamlining EV infrastructure deployment. The award, presented at what is often called “The Grammys of Entrepreneurship” in the UK, signals a broader market awakening to the immense value hidden in solving foundational, operational challenges.

From On-Site Frustration to a Global Standard

For over two decades, Trevor Palmer worked as an electrical contractor, installing countless EV charge points across the UK. He experienced firsthand the chronic inefficiencies of the process. The traditional method involved excavating a site, building shuttering, pouring wet concrete, and then waiting—often for days—for it to cure before a charger could be mounted. This process was messy, labor-intensive, and entirely at the mercy of the weather. A single rainy day could derail project timelines and inflate budgets.

“Why are we building the future of EV charging with processes that slow us down?” Palmer recalls wondering. This question, born from wrestling with formwork on muddy ground, became the catalyst for EV Blocks. The idea was simple in concept yet profound in its implications: create a standardized, high-quality, pre-fabricated foundation that could be installed in hours, not days, regardless of weather conditions.

“I didn't set out to win awards,” Palmer stated upon receiving his honor. “I just wanted to fix a problem everyone on site was dealing with. The fact EV Blocks is now used around the world…that's thanks to the installers, partners and clients who backed the idea early. This award is for them.” This journey from a sketch pad to a global product, now used in the UK, North America, France, and Australia, exemplifies how the most powerful market disruptions often originate from a deep understanding of a single, pervasive problem.

Unblocking the Infrastructure Bottleneck

The market opportunity that EV Blocks addresses is enormous. The global EV charging infrastructure market is projected to skyrocket, with some forecasts predicting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 25% to reach more than $125 billion by 2030. Governments worldwide are pushing aggressive targets for EV adoption, creating immense pressure to build out public and private charging networks at an unprecedented pace. However, the speed of charger manufacturing has far outpaced the speed of installation.

The traditional wet-pour concrete method represents a significant drag on this growth. It introduces variability, risk, and delay into every project. Inconsistent mixes, incorrect sizing, and weather-related setbacks lead to higher costs and unreliable deployment schedules. For fleet operators, commercial property owners, and municipalities trying to meet green energy mandates, these delays translate directly into lost revenue and missed targets.

The market for prefabricated foundations, while nascent, is expanding rapidly to solve this very issue. Analysts project this specific sub-sector to grow from approximately $1.34 billion in 2024 to over $4.5 billion by 2033. This growth is not just about convenience; it is about enabling the entire EV ecosystem to scale efficiently.

The Competitive Edge of Engineered Simplicity

EV Blocks' solution is a masterclass in engineered simplicity. The blocks are manufactured in a controlled factory environment using high-strength concrete, ensuring consistent quality and durability that is difficult to replicate on a live construction site. Some models even utilize reduced-carbon concrete, cutting emissions by up to 35% compared to conventional mixes and adding a crucial sustainability advantage.

The installation process is radically efficient. A site is excavated, the pre-cast block is lowered in, and conduits are routed through integrated side openings. A universal adaptor plate allows for the mounting of a wide variety of charger models, effectively future-proofing the installation. The entire process can be completed in a few hours, allowing for same-day charger activation. The company claims this can reduce on-site labor costs by as much as 50% to 60%.

While EV Blocks is a clear innovator, it is not without competition. Established players like Oldcastle Infrastructure in the U.S. and other startups such as EZ Blocks are also offering pre-cast solutions. The competitive landscape is diversifying to include alternative technologies like helical piles. However, EV Blocks has established a strong competitive advantage through its universal design philosophy and its aggressive global licensing model, which leverages local precast concrete producers to scale production and distribution internationally. This strategy is rapidly turning a British innovation into a de facto global standard.

The Unsung Innovations Powering Tomorrow

The story of EV Blocks offers a critical lesson for investors and market watchers: the most transformative technologies are often enabled by a host of less-visible, foundational innovations. Just as the internet revolution depended on the rollout of fiber optic cables, the EV revolution depends on the ability to put chargers in the ground quickly, reliably, and cost-effectively. Trevor Palmer’s award is not just a personal victory; it is a validation of the critical importance of this supporting infrastructure.

By focusing on the unglamorous but essential task of the foundation, the company has created a scalable, repeatable, and efficient system that directly accelerates the energy transition. As nations race to build the backbone for an electric future, the companies that solve the practical, on-the-ground challenges will be the ones that create lasting value and drive real-world progress. The journey from a muddy English building site to a globally recognized standard shows that the most solid opportunities are often built on a simple, well-executed idea.