EV Charger Grants UK 2026

The UK EV Charger Grant Landscape in 2026

The UK government wants 300,000 public charge points installed by 2030 and millions more at homes and workplaces. To get there, several grant schemes help cover the upfront cost of buying and installing an EV charger. If you're a renter, landlord, business owner, or charity, there's almost certainly funding available to reduce what you pay.

The challenge is knowing which scheme applies to you. Eligibility rules have changed significantly since the schemes launched — most notably, single-unit homeowners lost access to the main residential grant in April 2022. This guide breaks down every active scheme, who qualifies, and what you actually need to do to claim the money.

OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant (Residential)

The OZEV EV chargepoint grant is the main government scheme for residential EV charger installations. It's administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), part of the Department for Transport, and provides up to £350 (or 75% of the total installation cost, whichever is lower) towards a home charger.

Who Qualifies

This is the part most people get wrong. Since April 2022, the OZEV grant is not available to homeowners who own a single-unit property (a detached, semi-detached, or terraced house). It is only available to:

• Renters and tenants — in any property type, with written landlord consent
• People living in flats or apartments — whether you own or rent the flat
• Landlords — installing chargers at rental properties they own
• Housing associations — for residential properties they manage

You must also own or have ordered a qualifying plug-in electric vehicle (battery electric or plug-in hybrid). Company car users qualify with a signed letter from their employer.

How It Works

You don't apply for the grant yourself. Your installer — who must be OZEV-approved — submits the application on your behalf. If approved, the grant is deducted directly from your invoice. You never handle the money; you simply pay less. The charger must be a smart charger capable of scheduling off-peak charging. All major brands qualify: Ohme, Zappi, Pod Point, Wallbox, and Easee.

Read our full OZEV grant guide for detailed eligibility rules, required evidence, and tips to avoid rejection.

Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)

The Workplace Charging Scheme is designed for businesses, charities, and public sector organisations that want to install EV chargers at their premises. It provides up to £350 per socket, with a maximum of 40 sockets per applicant — that's up to £14,000 in total funding.

Who Qualifies

The WCS is open to:

• Businesses of any size — from SMEs to large corporations
• Registered charities
• Public sector organisations — councils, NHS trusts, schools, universities

Sole traders can apply, but only if the charger is installed at commercial premises — not at a home address. The chargers must be for staff and fleet vehicle use, not public-facing. Public EV charging falls under a separate scheme (LEVI — Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure).

How It Works

Unlike the residential OZEV grant, the WCS uses a voucher system. You register on the OZEV online portal, receive a voucher code, and pass that code to your OZEV-approved installer. The installer applies the discount when invoicing you. Vouchers are valid for 180 days from issue.

You can split your 40-socket allocation across multiple sites — for example, 20 sockets at your office and 20 at a warehouse. The total across all sites cannot exceed 40.

Read our full Workplace Charging Scheme guide for the application process, cost examples, and planning considerations.

Scottish Government Interest-Free Loans

If you live in Scotland, you have access to additional funding through Home Energy Scotland. The Scottish Government offers interest-free loans of up to £2,500 specifically for EV charger purchase and installation.

This isn't a grant — it's a loan you repay over time — but with zero interest, the total cost is the same as the purchase price. The loan can cover the charger unit, installation labour, and any necessary electrical upgrades.

Key Details

• Available to Scottish residents who own or lease an eligible EV
• Covers charger purchase and installation costs up to £2,500
• Interest-free — you repay exactly what you borrow
• Can potentially be used alongside the OZEV grant if you also qualify (e.g., if you're a renter in Scotland)
• Apply through Home Energy Scotland — application is separate from OZEV

For Scottish renters and flat-dwellers, combining the OZEV grant (£350 off your invoice) with the Home Energy Scotland loan (up to £2,500 interest-free for the remainder) can make an EV charger installation essentially cost-free upfront.

Local Authority Grants and Council Funding

Some local councils offer their own EV infrastructure grants, particularly for residential on-street charging solutions and community charging hubs. These vary significantly by area and often change year to year as council budgets are allocated.

Examples of what councils may fund:

• On-street residential chargepoint schemes (ORCS) — lamp post chargers and dedicated on-street bays
• Community charging hub projects
• Additional top-up grants for residents in certain boroughs
• EV-ready parking requirements in new developments

The best way to check is to visit your local council's website or contact their transport or environment department directly. Search for "EV charging" plus your council name. Some councils publish dedicated EV strategies with details of available funding.

Energy Supplier Schemes and Charger Bundles

Several major energy suppliers offer EV charger deals that can reduce your upfront cost, though these aren't government grants — they're commercial offers that change frequently.

• Octopus Energy — regularly offers discounted charger bundles with installation, often tied to their Intelligent Octopus Go tariff. Prices for charger plus install packages can start from around £500–£700.
• British Gas — offers Hive EV charger packages with installation included
• OVO Energy — periodically runs EV charger promotions for existing customers
• EDF Energy — offers charger installation services with bundle pricing

These deals can sometimes be combined with the OZEV grant if you're eligible, reducing your cost further. Always check the terms — some supplier deals require you to switch tariff or sign up for a specific energy plan.

Eligibility Quick Reference

Here's a summary of who qualifies for what:

• Homeowner (detached/semi/terraced house) — No government grant available. Consider energy supplier bundles or pay full cost. A typical home EV charger installation costs £800–£1,500.
• Renter or tenant — OZEV grant (up to £350). Need landlord consent and proof of tenancy.
• Flat owner or resident — OZEV grant (up to £350). Need management company or freeholder consent and dedicated parking.
• Landlord — OZEV grant (up to £350 per installation at rental properties).
• Business owner — Workplace Charging Scheme (up to £350 per socket, max 40). Need commercial premises.
• Charity or public sector — Workplace Charging Scheme (same terms as business).
• Scottish resident — Home Energy Scotland loan (up to £2,500 interest-free), potentially combined with OZEV if eligible.

Common Mistakes When Applying for EV Charger Grants

We've helped hundreds of customers navigate the grant process. These are the errors we see most often:

1. Assuming Homeowners Still Qualify

The single biggest misconception. If you own a house (not a flat), you haven't been eligible for the OZEV grant since April 2022. We still get calls weekly from homeowners who've been told by charger companies that they qualify. They don't.

2. Choosing a Non-OZEV-Approved Installer

The grant can only be claimed through an OZEV-approved installer. If you hire someone who isn't approved, you cannot claim the grant — even if the installation is technically identical. Always verify your installer's OZEV approval status before booking.

3. Not Getting Landlord Consent in Writing

Verbal agreement isn't enough. OZEV requires written landlord consent, and applications without it are rejected. Get this sorted before your installer submits the application.

4. Selecting a Non-Smart Charger

The OZEV grant requires a smart charger — one capable of scheduling charging for off-peak hours and responding to signals from the energy grid. Basic "dumb" chargers that simply provide power without smart features don't qualify. All mainstream chargers from Ohme, Zappi, Pod Point, Wallbox, and Easee are smart-enabled and eligible.

5. Applying for Both OZEV and WCS on the Same Socket

You cannot combine the residential OZEV grant and the Workplace Charging Scheme on the same socket. They're separate schemes for separate purposes. However, a landlord could use the OZEV grant for a charger at their rental property and the WCS for chargers at their business premises.

6. Letting the Voucher Expire

WCS vouchers are valid for 180 days. OZEV grant approvals are valid for 4 months. If your installation is delayed beyond these windows, the approval lapses and you'll need to reapply. Book your installation date before applying to avoid this.

How to Get Started

The process is straightforward once you know which scheme applies to you:

1. Check your eligibility — use the summary above to identify which grants you can access
2. Get a quote from an OZEV-approved installer — this is essential for any grant-funded installation. Our team installs EV chargers across the UK and handles the full grant application process.
3. Gather your documents — proof of EV ownership or order, proof of tenancy (if renting), landlord consent (if applicable)
4. Your installer applies — we submit the grant application to OZEV on your behalf. You don't need to do anything.
5. Grant approved, install booked — once approved (typically 2–4 weeks), we schedule your installation and deduct the grant from your invoice.

Whether you're a renter wanting a home charger or a business planning a multi-bay workplace installation, the grants available can save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds. The key is using an OZEV-approved installer who knows the process inside out.