How do I apply for the workplace EV charging grant? Charging at work might be a practical option for employees to recharge their EVs while parked during the day. From a business perspective, having a charge point on-site will become increasingly vital as a convenience for employees and visitors, while it can be a critical operational component for enterprises with an EV fleet.
Like the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, the Government provides financial assistance to enterprises, organizations, charities, and local governments to install charging points at various locations under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).
The subsidy covers up to £350 per socket at 75% of the total cost of installation – up to a maximum of 20 sockets – for off-street parking designated for staff, visitors, or fleet usage.
Workplace EV charging grant
The Workplace EV charging grant, funded by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), provides grants to businesses to offset the cost of installing an EV charge point on their premises.
Businesses, charities, and local governments can claim up to 75% of the entire installation cost, up to a maximum of £350 per socket installed, with a limit of 40 sockets per application across all sites. Firms based in the United Kingdom (except the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) can claim and do not necessarily need to own a plug-in car.
The charge points must be justified by a business necessity, including charging existing EV fleet vehicles, providing an incentive for personnel to adopt plug-in vehicles, providing a charging option for visitors, or charging EVs scheduled for purchase by the firm. Where relevant, charging for services is not eligible for WCS financing.
Standard three-pin plugs are not eligible for funding, and accredited OLEV installers can only install EV charging stations. These must produce a least of 3 kW, with no reduction in supply due to charging many vehicles concurrently. Companies cannot apply for the award if they already have EV charging stations, as the subsidy is only available for newly built EV charging points. Additionally, the business must have designated off-street parking for personnel, visitors, and fleet use.
Because customers and visiting electric vehicles will have varying charging connectivity requirements. It is critical to build a charging point that is likely compatible with the broadest possible variety of vehicles. The most typical workplace installation is a wall-mounted Type 2 7kW charger, which is compatible with most popular electric vehicles and can fully charge a vehicle in approximately 3-7 hours, depending on the model. Depending on the cost and available space, some organizations may want to install a quicker 22kW unit or a rapid charger. For additional information about different charging points, see the charging basics page.
Most workplace installations choose wall-mounted units due to their ease of installation. The alternative is to use a post, which is a fine choice but typically requires more installation expenses due to the necessity to run electricity to the post underneath.
It is critical for businesses planning to place charge points in publicly accessible areas to consider accessibility standards. To prevent unauthorized use, most charge point manufacturers offer units accessed through a key or RFID card.
Most manufacturers provide back-office assistance for reporting on energy consumption, charging station usage, and CO2 emissions. The level of assistance varies and is typically customized for the business purchasing the service, ranging from basic maintenance to comprehensive network support.
Apply for a workplace EV charging grant
To qualify for the Workplace EV charging grant, registered businesses, charities, and public sector organizations must meet the following criteria:
· Possess proof of business registration in the form of a Company’s House reference number, a VAT number, or a letter from HMRC.
· Within four months of submitting your grant application, you must own an electric vehicle or intend to purchase one.
· You should be able to justify the purchase of EV charging equipment or demonstrate an intention to increase staff and fleet usage.
· The electric charger must be OZEV-certified (explore Mer OZEV approved charging options here)
· The charger must now be a Smart Charger, which means it must have an internet connection.
· The installation must be OZEV-certified.
· You’ll require dedicated off-street parking for staff and fleet vehicles that are compatible with the installation of electric charge points. Parking spaces cannot be used only by customers or as part of a household property; they must be earmarked for the application.
· Charging stations for electric vehicles in commercial establishments
· It is suggested that applicants obtain a site survey before submitting to ensure that they meet the criteria of having a minimum power supply of 3kW to each socket – that is not reduced when many sockets are utilized concurrently.
· You must intend to install no more than one socket per parking place.
· You must be a resident of the United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
· You must either own the premises or obtain permission from the landlord before installing any charge points.
· You must have received de minimis aid totaling less than Euro 200,000 during the last three fiscal years (not applicable for local authorities)
· Your business must not have made a previous claim at the same address under the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.
Moreover, applicants should be prepared to maintain each ChargePoint for a minimum of three years and to provide OZEV with consumption data. A voucher for a grant cannot be utilized retroactively.
The application process for the Workplace Charging Scheme is as follows:
Step 1:
You can apply for a grant online via the government’s official website, but you’ll need the following information:
· Companies House registration number.
· The company’s staff count.
· Confirm that you have not received any governmental support over 200,000 Euros.
· Details about your website (address).
· Contact information.
· The total number of charging stations you intend to install
Step 2:
If authorized, you will receive a voucher to present to your preferred OZEV-certified installation.
Step 3:
The installation will be finished within the OZEV-mandated 180-day time range.
Step 4:
The WCS will get evidence of the installation from your installer.
Step 5:
OZEV will provide you the installation specifics provided by your installer. You will be prompted to confirm.
Step 6:
The grant is awarded, and you will receive an invoice.
Looking for quick, easy and reliable EV charger installation? Wether that be for home charge, public charge or workplace charge, Trent Vehicle Charging are here to help. If you have any questions then please visit our FAQ page or don’t hesitate to get in touch.
