Incoming Changes to Electric Vehicle Charging Grants

The UK has one of the world's most advanced charging networks, but access remains a sticking point. Almost half (40%) of British respondents in the latest LeasePlan Mobility Insights Report cited insufficient chargepoint as a barrier to going electric [1], and OZEV funded home and workplace infrastructure for almost a decade to help overcome that anxiety.

From 1 April 2022, funding for home and workplace charging points is changing, according to official guidance from OZEV. Although inevitable as the market becomes more mature, it sets some tight deadlines for applicants and installers.

Introduced in 2012, the EVHS provides support for homeowners to install their own charging points. Funding currently covers up to 75% of the cost of the chargepoint and installation, to a maximum of £350 [2] per applicant - households with two electric vehicles can claim twice.

Funding is available to drivers who own, lease or are the primary user of an eligible electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle for at least six months [3] - including leasehold or rental properties [4]. However, they must have their own parking space, even if this is not connected to their property.

Click here to find out more about charging an electric vehicle at home.

OZEV is aiming to stimulate electric vehicle demand in the rental and leasehold sectors. From 1 April 2022, the EVHS will no longer be available to homeowners in single-unit properties (such as houses and bungalows). Installations made under the current scheme must be completed by 31 March 2022, with claims submitted by 30 April. Applications made after these dates will not be eligible.

The reformed grant will be offered through a new digital platform, which is set to launch early next year. Funding will target the following groups:

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  Residents in flats and rental accommodation will be able to claim up to £350 per person towards a chargepoint (including installation) as long as they have their own off-street parking and an eligible vehicle.
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  Landlords and social housing building operators will get grant funding of up to £350 per socket (so units which can charge two vehicles qualify twice) up to a maximum of 200 applications per year. There is no limit on sockets per property, but they must be installed in private parking spaces.
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  Owners of apartment blocks will have access of £30,000 per building, limited to 30 applications each year. Funding is capped at £500 per bay to wire them for future infrastructure, or £850 per bay for a working chargepoint. Properties must have private parking and a minimum of five dedicated charging bays, including one installed chargepoint.

Landlords and housing suppliers must be registered businesses or public authorities to qualify. Eligible vehicles and approved installers and chargepoints will be rolled over from the current scheme.

Workplace charging is an essential component to encourage electric vehicle uptake. It provides vital infrastructure for shared and depot-based fleets and enables employees to charge where they park. Recognising that importance, OZEV has provided funding since 2016.

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) current covers up to 75% of the cost of the chargepoint and installation, to a maximum of £350 per socket - so units that can charge two vehicles at once qualify twice. Funding is available for up to 40 sockets per year, including faster chargepoints than are available via the EVHS, but applicants must have private parking reserved for their own staff and fleet. [5]

Click here to find out more about charging an electric vehicle at work.

For most applicants, it isn't. Grant levels and eligibility will continue, and applications will be processed using the existing digital platform. However, OZEV is making it easier for small businesses to access support.

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  Registered charities and small accommodation businesses (such as B&Bs and campsites) will be able to claim the full WCS through an extension to the existing digital platform. However, chargepoint installations won't need to be in spaces limited to staff or fleet use.
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  Owners of commercially let properties will get funding of up to £350 per socket, to a maximum of 100 each year. Parking spaces must be reserved for their own staff or fleet, or for future tenants. OZEV says this is important for encouraging infrastructure roll-out in rural areas.
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  Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) will be eligible for up to £15,000 per building if they dedicate at least five private parking bays to electric vehicle charging. This provides up to £500 where spaces are wired for future installations, or £850 for a working chargepoint. Applicants can claim up to five grants but must have at least one working chargepoint in place following the first round of funding.

Support for SMEs and owners of commercially let properties will be able to apply through the new digital platform, launching in 2022. Businesses and charities must be registered to qualify for funding.

[1] LeasePlan. (2021) Mobility Insights Report: EVs and Sustainability Edition [online] Available at: https://www.leaseplan.com/corporate/~/media/Files/L/Leaseplan/documents/news-articles/2021/report-mir-evs-and-sustainability.pdf [Accessed 8 Oct 2021].

[2] OZEV, (2021). Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme: customer guidance [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-guidance-electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme [Accessed 8 Oct 2021].

[3] OZEV, (2021). Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme: eligible vehicles [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme-eligible-vehicles [Accessed 8 Oct 2021].

[4] OZEV (2020). Support for small businesses, landlords and leaseholders: government charges up the electric vehicle revolution with £50 million boost. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/support-for-small-businesses-landlords-and-leaseholders-government-charges-up-the-electric-vehicle-revolution-with-50-million-boost [Accessed 8 Oct 2021].

[5] OZEV. (2020). Workplace Charging Scheme: guidance for applicants, chargepoint installers and manufacturers. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/workplace-charging-scheme-guidance-for-applicants-installers-and-manufacturers/workplace-charging-scheme-guidance-for-applicants-chargepoint-installers-and-manufacturers [Accessed 8 Oct 2021].