The Complete Guide to UK Government Grants for EV Charging

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is an essential step toward reducing our carbon footprint, and the UK government is offering a range of grants to help make this shift more accessible for everyone. Whether you're a business looking to install chargepoints for your employees, a landlord preparing your property for future tenants, or a tenant or homeowner considering your own EV charger, there’s likely to be a grant that can support your efforts to plug into a more sustainable future.

 

As the number of available grants get updated, navigating through them can be confusing. In this guide we will walk you through the key grants currently available for both commercial and residential properties. 

 

Commercial Grants

 

1. Workplace Charging Scheme

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides financial support for the purchase, installation, and infrastructure needed for EV chargepoints at eligible workplaces, which include businesses, charities and public authorities.

 

The grant covers up to 75% of the costs (including VAT) associated with buying and installing EV chargepoints, capped at:

•    £350 per socket
•    40 sockets across all sites per applicant—for example, if you plan to install chargepoints at 40 different sites, you’ll be eligible for 1 socket per site.

 

Eligibility criteria:

•    Off-street parking is required, and you must demonstrate a business need for EV chargepoints.
•    The chargepoints must be installed by an OZEV-approved installer.
•    Small accommodation businesses and charitable organisations have been recently included in the scheme. For these entities, there are no restrictions on who can use the designated off-street parking.

 

 

2.  WCS for State-Funded Education Institutions

In addition to the WCS, state-funded schools and educational institutions can also receive a grant to install EV chargers on their premises. This grant covers up to 75% of the purchase and installation costs, capped at £2,500 per socket, with a maximum of 40 sockets across all sites (including prior applications through the WCS).

 

 

3. EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets

This grant assists small and medium-sized businesses (with 249 employees or fewer) in installing the necessary infrastructure for EV chargepoints. It can be used alongside the WCS grant at the same location, but not for the same chargepoints.

 

The grant covers 75% of the installation costs, up to a maximum of £15,000, including:

•    £350 per chargepoint socket installed
•    £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure

 

 

The grant’s requirements include Installing infrastructure for a minimum of 5 private off-street parking spaces, with at least one active chargepoint reserved for staff or fleet use. Businesses can apply for up to five grants per financial year, but only one grant is permitted per site. Once your application is approved, you'll receive a voucher that’s valid for 180 days and all work must be completed within this period.

 

Grants for Landlords

 

1. EV Chargepoint Grants for LandlordsThis grant is available for those leasing, renting, or managing commercial or residential properties. Only one application is allowed per building and you cannot mix residential and commercial properties in a single application. However, you can apply for additional installations at the same property later.

 

Two grants are available for installing EV chargepoints at properties you own:

•    EV Chargepoint Grant: This grant offers 75% off the cost of buying and installing a chargepoint socket, up to £350 per socket. You can receive up to 200 grants per year for residential properties and up to 100 for commercial properties.

 

•    EV Infrastructure Grant for Residential Car Parks: This grant is for those renting, leasing, or managing multi-tenancy residential properties. It requires the installation of infrastructure for at least 5 parking spaces, with at least one active chargepoint. Passive infrastructure (cabling without the chargepoint) can be installed for the other spaces.

 

A maximum of 30 grants per financial year are allowed. Note that commercial landlords are not eligible for this infrastructure grant.

 

Grants for Tenants and Flat Owners

1. EV Charge point Grant for Tenants and Flat Owners

This grant offers £350 off the cost of buying and installing a home EV charger for renters or flat owners. Only one chargepoint can be claimed per eligible vehicle and household, and you must have dedicated off-street parking. This grant is not available if you’ve previously claimed another EV chargepoint grant.

 

You can apply if you:

•    Own and live in a flat
•    Rent any residential property, including those under shared ownership schemes
•    Own an eligible vehicle
•    Have your own private off-street parking space

 

 

2.    EV Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking

This grant helps EV drivers with the costs of purchasing and installing chargepoints at residential properties with on-street parking, provided they also install a cross-pavement charging solution (e.g., a cable channel).

 

You can receive 75% off the cost, up to £350, if you meet the following criteria:

•    Own or rent the residential property where you live
•    Install a permanent cross-pavement charging solution
•    Have not already installed the chargepoint
•    Have adequate on-street parking, as defined by local planning and highways authorities
•    Have permission from your local planning and highways authority for both the chargepoint and cross-pavement solution
•    Own or are responsible for an eligible electric vehicle

 

Some local authorities may offer financial support for the cross-pavement charging solution, which you should explore directly with them.

 

If you’re up for joining the clean energy future, but you’re struggling to understand the grant option available to you and determine your eligibility, you don’t have to navigate it alone. As an OZEV-approved installer, we are here to assist you every step of the way. 

 

We’ll check your eligibility, handle the grant application process and ensure your installation meets all the necessary criteria - making your switch to electric as smooth as possible. Don’t miss out on these valuable grants. They’re currently set to expire on 31st March 2025. Reach out to us today to start your journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.