A short guide to business grants for EV charging points
Securing funding for electric vehicle (EV)charging points remains a key challenge for businesses making the shift to electric vehicles.
Fortunately, with the UK set to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2035, the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has developed numerous grant schemes to support the rollout of the national EV charge point network.
Whether you need to subsidise the cost of installing EV charging points or a bespoke funding solution to remove the financial constraints associated with EV charging infrastructure, this guide summarises which grants are available to your business.
What EV charge point grants are available?
There are currently three main EV Charging Point grants available;
- Workplace Charging Scheme Grant (WCS)
- EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets
- EV Charge point Grant for Landlords
Finding the right grant for your business will depend on the size of your organisation and your ability to meet OZEV criteria. Eligible businesses could be entitled to receive up to £75,000 of funding towards the development of EV charging points.
Below we summarise the details of each grant.
Workplace Charging Scheme Grant (WCS)
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a government voucher-based initiative designed to support businesses with the upfront costs of installing electric car charging facilities on their premises.
The grant is available to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the criteria set by OZEV. Successful applicants will receive 75% of the costs associated with the purchase and installation of EV charge points, although this will be capped at £350 per socket for a maximum of 40 sockets.
The WCS aims to improve access to EV charging points in order encourage staff and businesses to purchase EVs. In order to apply for the grant your business must therefore have designated off-street parking facilities for staff or fleet vehicles.
How to apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme Grant?
Eligible businesses can apply for the WCS by visiting the government’s website and completing an online application form. Successful applicants will be emailed a voucher code that can be provided to an OZEV-approved installer, who will then use it to claim the grant after installation is complete.
Require help submitting your application? Contact Big Energy Group here and we’ll walk you through every aspect of the application process for the WCS.
EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets
The EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets grant aims to help businesses meet the rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles and encourages businesses to decarbonise their fleet by funding up to 75% of the costs associated with purchasing and installing EV charging infrastructure.
Businesses with less than 250 employees can claim for a grant of up to £850 per EV charge point installed. There is a maximum of £15,000 of funding available per site across a maximum of five sites, allowing a total claim of £75,000 for workplace EV charging.
The grant is capped at £500 for each parking space supported by charging infrastructure and an additional £350 towards the cost of purchasing and installing each charge point socket provided. Each parking bay claimed must be associated with a unique charging socket and must support at least five parking spaces.
This grant can be used in conjunction with the Workplace Charging Scheme Grant, but not for the same charging point. Find out more information here.
How to apply for the EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets?
Eligible businesses must register with DVLA using the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets registration form. If your application is successful then the OZEV grant is usually offset against the total cost of installation once work is complete.
To check your eligibility and apply for the grant, call us on +44 (0)1423 225 333 or email hello@bigenergygroup.co.uk.
EV Chargepoint Grant for Landlords
If you own, lease, rent, or manage a commercial or residential property, you have the opportunity to apply for a grant that slashes the expenses of acquiring and installing EV charge points by 75%, with an additional £350 reduction per socket. Find out more here.
Landlords are eligible to obtain a maximum of 200 grants annually for residential properties and 100 grants annually for commercial properties through the grant program. These can be across several properties and installations or for one property.
The grant is exclusively available to property owners who provide private off-street parking for existing or prospective tenants, fleet, and/or staff.
How to apply for the EV Chargepoint Grant for Landlords?
Before you apply for the grant, you should contact an installer authorised by OLEZ. Big Energy Group can provide you with a list of approved installers. The installer will provide you with a quote for installing the eligible charge points. Once you are satisfied with your quote, you can apply for the grant online. If successful, OZEV will let your installer know they can start work.
To check eligibility and get more information about EV grants for landlords, call our experts on +44 (0)1423 225 333 or email hello@bigenergygroup.co.uk.
How much does it cost to charge an EV?
To further understand the financial implications and benefits of installing EV charging points for your business, it's important to consider the cost of charging electric vehicles. By evaluating these costs, you can better plan and justify the investment in EV infrastructure.
For a detailed breakdown of the expenses involved in charging electric cars, refer to this interactive calculator by GoCompare on the cost to charge electric vehicles. This resource will provide you with valuable insights into the ongoing operational costs associated with electric vehicles, ensuring that your decision to install charging points is well-informed and financially sound.
About Big Energy Group
Big Energy Group is a privately held, British-owned energy brokerage with an established track record of helping clients successfully navigate the energy market. The company has offices in Harrogate and the Tees Valley and serves more than 400 businesses across the UK. For more information, please visit bigenergygroup.co.uk.
