UK Government EV Charger Installation Incentives and Rebates
Many eco-conscious people are shifting towards sustainable transportation to help reduce their carbon footprints. In the United Kingdom, this trend of eco-friendly commuting has influenced the rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs). It also created a need for EV owners to install robust charging infrastructure in either their home or their workplace.
However, many individuals find fitting EV charging points costly and can get discouraged from pursuing an environmentally friendly option. To address this issue, the UK government has incentives and rebates to make EV home charging points and public network installation more accessible.
In this article, we’ll explore the crucial role that government incentives and rebates play in accelerating the installation of EV chargers across the country and how you can maximise them.
Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS)
At the forefront of these government incentives is the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS). It offers financial assistance for home charging point installations. As a result, EV owners get the convenience of charging overnight in their homes without relying solely on public charging infrastructure.
Under this scheme, eligible EV owners can receive a grant to help cover the costs of purchasing and installing a home charging unit. Typically, the grant can cover up to 75% of the installation cost, with a cap of £350. The grant is open to homeowners, those who have off-street parking, landlords, and property managers. For instance, Myenergi's Zappi EV charger installation is eligible for support under this scheme.
Before you apply for this government grant, make sure that your vehicle is eligible. Once you’ve confirmed that your EV is eligible, you can apply for the EVHS with the help of an approved installer like Elecology.
Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
With the Workplace Charging Scheme, businesses are incentivised to install charging infrastructure in the workplace. Essentially, they can claim a grant for each charging socket they install. This ensures employees have access to convenient charging options at their workplace.
The WCS provides businesses with a grant covering up to 75% of the purchase and installation costs of electric vehicle charging points. The maximum grant amount per socket is £350, and businesses can apply for up to 40 sockets.
Just take note that there are several requirements before a business can apply for the WCS charge point grant. Firstly, it has to have a Companies House reference number. The individual applying must also own the business premises or have permission from the landlord to install the chargers. Furthermore, only authorised EV charger installers are permitted under this grant.
On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme
Addressing the need for charging points in residential areas, the On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme focuses on community accessibility. This initiative is run by the Energy Saving Trust for the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). It provides funding for local authorities to install EV charge points on residential streets. It's particularly convenient for EV owners living in urban areas or apartment complexes without dedicated driveways. It also encourages broader EV adoption within neighbourhoods.
The funding for this government initiative can vary depending on the scope and scale of the project. It may come from a combination of government grants and local budgets.
Domestic Chargepoint Funding Grant
To further facilitate home charging solutions, the Domestic Chargepoint Funding Grant provides financial support for the installation of EV chargers at residential properties. This grant aims to make home charging more accessible and encourage more individuals to embrace electric vehicles as a practical and sustainable commuting option.
This funding is open to rural EV owners, used EV owners, and those who bought their EVs through the Used Electric Vehicle loan. Once their application has been approved, they can receive a grant of up to 75% of the purchase and installation costs, with a cap of £350 per socket.
Scottish EV Charger Grant
Scotland is actively contributing to the EV revolution through the Scottish EV Charger Grant. The Energy Saving Trust provides financial support for electric vehicle charger installation. Eligible EV owners can receive a grant of up to £300 for the total purchase and installation costs of one EV charger per home. On top of this, there’s a £350 grant from OZEV. For those living in rural Scotland, they can get an additional £100.
Aside from homeowners, businesses in Scotland can also apply for an EV charger grant. This incentive provides them with funding for the purchase and installation costs of EV chargers in their workplace. The exact number of EV chargers covered by the grant will depend on the amount and type of company- and staff-owned EVs owned by the businesses. Presently, it’s only aimed at providing charging points for the business’s staff and visitors.
Thanks to these government incentives, EV charging point installation across the UK is becoming more accessible. They also help promote EV adoption as an eco-friendly commuting option. If you’re planning to apply for any of these grants, make sure your vehicle is eligible. Also, find reputable EV charger installers like Elecology that can install your EV chargers safely and efficiently. We can install the product at a much cheaper rate than the manufacturer provides and survey properties much quicker.