OZEV Grant 2026 — EV Chargepoint Grant Explained

What Is the OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant?

The EV chargepoint grant — formerly known as the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) — is a government-funded scheme that helps eligible households reduce the cost of installing a home EV charger. It's administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), which sits within the Department for Transport.

The grant provides up to £350, or 75% of the total installation cost (whichever is lower), towards the purchase and installation of a smart EV charger at your home. Given that a typical home EV charger installation costs £800–£1,500, this grant represents a meaningful reduction — often covering a third or more of the total bill.

Who Qualifies for the OZEV Grant?

This is the most misunderstood part of the scheme. The eligibility rules changed significantly in April 2022, and many people still believe the old rules apply.

You DO Qualify If You Are:

• A renter or tenant — in any property type (house, flat, maisonette). You need written consent from your landlord.
• An owner-occupier or resident of a flat or apartment — whether you own or rent the flat. You need consent from the freeholder or management company.
• A landlord — installing a charger at a property you rent out. The property must have dedicated off-street parking.
• A housing association — installing chargers at residential properties you manage.

You Do NOT Qualify If You Are:

• A homeowner who owns a single-unit property — if you own a detached, semi-detached, or terraced house, you are not eligible. This change took effect in April 2022.
• A new-build buyer — new-build properties are expected to have EV charging provision under building regulations introduced in 2022.

Vehicle Requirements

You must own or have ordered a qualifying plug-in electric vehicle. This includes:

• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) — fully electric cars like the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, VW ID.3, MG4
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) — cars with both an electric motor and combustion engine that can be charged via a plug
• Company car users — eligible if you have a signed letter from your employer confirming the vehicle is available for your personal use

Standard hybrids that cannot be plugged in (like a Toyota Yaris Hybrid) do not qualify.

How Much Is the Grant Worth?

The OZEV grant covers up to £350 or 75% of the total installation cost, whichever is lower. In practice:

• If your installation costs £1,000 — the grant covers £350 (the cap), you pay £650
• If your installation costs £400 — the grant covers £300 (75%), you pay £100
• If your installation costs £350 or less — the grant covers 75%, you pay the remainder

The grant covers the cost of the charger unit itself, installation labour, and any necessary electrical work such as running a new cable from your consumer unit to the charging location. However, it does not cover DNO (Distribution Network Operator) upgrades if your electrical supply needs increasing — that's a separate cost.

Which Chargers Are Eligible?

The charger must be a smart charger — one that can be programmed to charge during off-peak hours and is capable of responding to signals from the energy grid. This is a mandatory requirement; basic "dumb" chargers that simply provide power without scheduling capability are not eligible.

All major smart charger brands qualify, including:

• Ohme Home Pro — popular for its intelligent tariff integration and sleek design
• myenergi Zappi — ideal if you have solar panels, as it can divert surplus solar energy to your car
• Pod Point Solo 3 — a reliable, well-established UK brand with strong app control
• Wallbox Pulsar Plus — compact design with excellent smart features and power sharing
• Easee One — modular design that supports load balancing across multiple chargers

Your installer will recommend the best charger for your specific situation. For a full comparison, see our EV charger installation guide.

How the Application Process Works

One of the best things about the OZEV grant is that you don't apply yourself. Your installer handles the entire process. Here's the step-by-step:

1. Choose an OZEV-approved installer — this is non-negotiable. Only approved installers can submit grant applications. If your installer isn't approved, you cannot claim the grant.
2. Get a quote — your installer will survey your property (often remotely via photos), assess your electrical setup, and provide a quote that shows the grant deduction.
3. Provide evidence — your installer will ask you for supporting documents (see below).
4. Installer submits application to OZEV — they handle the paperwork entirely.
5. OZEV approves the application — typically takes 2–4 weeks.
6. Installation goes ahead — the grant is deducted from your invoice. You pay the reduced amount directly to the installer.

The approval is valid for 4 months from the date it's granted. If the installation doesn't happen within that window, the approval expires and your installer would need to reapply.

What Evidence Do You Need?

Your installer will tell you exactly what to provide, but here's what OZEV typically requires:

• Proof of EV ownership or order — V5C registration document, vehicle order confirmation, or lease agreement
• Proof of property status — tenancy agreement (if renting), lease document (if in a flat), or proof of landlord ownership (if you're a landlord)
• Landlord consent — a signed letter or form from your landlord agreeing to the installation (required for all renters)
• Freeholder/management company consent — if you live in a flat, you'll need permission from whoever manages the building
• Company car letter — if using a company vehicle, a signed letter from your employer confirming the car is assigned to you

Common Rejection Reasons (and How to Avoid Them)

OZEV applications do get rejected. Here are the most common reasons and how to avoid them:

Incorrect Property Classification

If your property is classified as a single-unit dwelling (house) rather than a flat or multi-unit building, the application will be rejected unless you're a renter with landlord consent. Make sure your installer correctly identifies your property type before submitting.

Missing or Incomplete Documentation

Submitting without landlord consent, without proof of EV ownership, or with expired documents is a common cause of rejection. Gather all documents before your installer starts the application.

Non-Smart Charger Selected

If the quoted charger doesn't meet the smart charging requirement, the application will be rejected. Stick with established brands — Ohme, Zappi, Pod Point, Wallbox, Easee — and you won't have this problem.

No Dedicated Off-Street Parking

The charger must be installed at a location with dedicated off-street parking — a driveway, garage, or allocated parking space. On-street parking locations aren't eligible for the residential grant (there's a separate council scheme for that).

If your application is rejected, your installer can usually resubmit with corrected information. It's not the end of the road — just a delay.

Tips to Get the Most from Your OZEV Grant

• Only get quotes from OZEV-approved installers — this protects your grant eligibility and ensures the installer knows the application process
• Check your consumer unit (fuse board) — a 7kW charger draws around 32 amps. If your fuse board is old or at capacity, you may need an upgrade. Factor this into your budget.
• Consider your future needs — if you might add a second EV, consider a charger with load balancing capability or future-proofing with a 3-phase supply
• Time your application — don't apply too early. The 4-month approval window means you should have a realistic installation date in mind
• Scottish residents — you may also be eligible for the Home Energy Scotland interest-free loan (up to £2,500) on top of the OZEV grant. See our full grants guide for details.