Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) helps businesses reduce the cost of installing EV chargers at their premises.

From 1 April 2026, the grant provides up to £500 per socket, covering up to 75% of the installation cost.

It applies to a wide range of sites: from offices and commercial units through to smaller businesses operating from a home address.

What Is the Workplace Charging Scheme?

The Workplace Charging Scheme is an OZEV-backed grant that helps eligible organisations cover part of the cost of buying and installing EV chargepoints at their site.

The grant is designed to support charging for:

  • Staff

  • Company vehicles

  • Fleet vehicles

  • Workplace visitors, where appropriate

It is available to eligible organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How Much Is the Workplace Charging Scheme?

From 1 April 2026, the Workplace Charging Scheme provides:

  • Up to 75% of the total cost

  • Up to £500 per chargepoint socket

  • For up to 40 sockets across all sites per applicant

That means the grant can make a meaningful difference to the cost of installing workplace charging - whether you are adding a couple of chargers for staff or planning a larger rollout.

Who Is Eligible for the Workplace Charging Scheme?

 

The Workplace Charging Scheme is open to eligible:

  • Businesses

  • Charities

  • Public sector organisations

  • Small accommodation businesses

To qualify, the organisation must usually:

  • Be registered in the UK

  • Be based in the UK

  • Have dedicated off-street parking

  • Have a genuine need for EV charging at the site

  • Use an OZEV-authorised installer

  • Install an eligible chargepoint model

Please be advised that you can find full lists of OZEV-approved vehicles, smart chargers, and EV chargepoint installers on the government’s website.

 

Can I Claim the Workplace Charging Scheme at My Home Address?

In some cases, yes. If you run a business that is registered at your home address, and that address is a genuine workplace for the business, you may still be eligible depending on how the site is used and whether it meets the scheme criteria.

You may qualify if you meet the criteria below:

  • The installation address is listed as your place of business with Companies House

  • The installation address is recorded on your business rate (non-domestic) rate bill issued to you by your local council or Land & Property Services (LPS)

What Type of Properties and Sites Qualify?

The Workplace Charging Scheme is not limited to traditional office buildings.

Eligible sites may include:

  • Offices

  • Commercial units

  • Industrial sites

  • Workshops

  • Depots

  • Farms

  • Business premises with private parking

  • Some home-address business, where the site is genuinely used as a workplace

The key is that the site must have off-street parking associated with the organisation and be suitable for safe charger installation.

What Does the Workplace Charging Scheme Cover?

The grant supports the purchase and installation of eligible EV chargepoints.

This typically includes part of the cost of:

  • The charger itself

  • Standard installation labour

  • Electrical connection works

  • Basic mounting and commissioning

 

What Makes Workplace EV Charger Installations More Complex?

Workplace charging installations are often larger in scale and more varied so the design and cost can vary significantly from site to site.

Power distribution

Workplace sites often need:

  • New EV distribution boards

  • Dedicated protective devices

  • Load balancing or dynamic load management

  • Careful consideration of available capacity

Cable routing

The route from the electrical supply to the parking bays often has a big impact on cost.

This may involve:

  • External wall runs

  • Buried ducting

  • Trenching

  • Cable tray

  • Surface containment

  • Pedestal-mounted chargers

Futureproofing

Many businesses do not just want one charger now. They want to avoid doing the same groundworks twice in future.

That often changes the best installation approach.

 
 

How the Workplace Charging Scheme Process Works

Step 1: Confirm the Site Is Suitable

The first step is confirming:

  • Where the chargers will go

  • Where the power supply is

  • Whether the parking is private and associated with the business

  • Whether the installation route is practical

Step 2: Get a Quote

The quote should reflect:

  • Number of sockets

  • Charger type

  • Installation route

This is especially important for business sites where costs can vary significantly depending on layout.

Step 3: Apply for the Grant

The organisation applies for the Workplace Charging Scheme using the government process.

You will typically need your:

  • Company Registration Number (CRN) or

  • VAT number

Step 4: Receive Approval

Once approved, the grant can be used towards the installation.

Step 5: Installation Takes Place

The chargers are installed by an OZEV-authorised installer using eligible equipment.

Step 6: Grant Is Applied

The installer deducts the grant correctly and submits the required claim details.

 

What Documents or Information Will You Need?

This can vary depending on the organisation, but you will typically need:

  • Your Company Registration Number or VAT number

  • Your business or organisation details

  • Site address details

  • Information about the parking area

  • Details of the number of chargers required

You will also need to ensure the chargers being installed are on the current list of eligible OZEV-approved commercial chargepoints.

Common Reasons Workplace Charging Scheme Applications Go Wrong

Most problems are not caused by the charger itself - they happen because the site setup, eligibility or scope has not been thought through properly.

Common issues include:

  • Assuming a home address business automatically qualifies

  • Parking not being clearly associated with the organisation

  • Underestimating cable routing or power requirements

  • Choosing the wrong charger type for the site

  • Not allowing for future expansion

  • Applying without fully understanding site constraints

This is especially common where a business is operating from a residential address, because the line between home use and workplace use needs to be considered properly.

FAQ - Workplace Charging Scheme

  • The Workplace Charging Scheme is a government grant that helps eligible organisations cover part of the cost of buying and installing EV chargepoints at their premises.

  • From 1 April 2026, the grant covers up to 75% of the cost, capped at £500 per socket for up to 40 sockets across all sites.

  • Yes. The scheme is open to eligible businesses, including many smaller organisations, provided the site and organisation meet the criteria.

  • Possibly. If the address is a genuine workplace for the business and the site meets the scheme requirements, it may be eligible. This usually needs to be looked at case by case.

  • No. It covers up to 75% of the total cost, subject to the grant cap. More complex installations may still have additional cost above the grant amount.

  • Yes. Eligible applicants can claim for up to 40 sockets across all sites.

  • Item description

If you’re considering workplace charging and want to understand what’s realistic for your site, the first step is usually confirming the power supply, charger locations and cable routes.

Once that’s clear, it becomes much easier to assess cost, grant eligibility and the best way to approach the installation.

If you’d like a clear quote and practical advice based on your site, get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.

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