Government EV charger grants to help you go green

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a key part of the UK’s move to a more sustainable future, and the government plans for everyone to switch over to them by 2035. With around 25% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions coming from transport, it’s easy to see why this is a key area to address for the road to net zero. Over half of the UK’s transport emissions come from cars and the government is powering on towards decarbonising its central fleet. In fact, as of 19 January 2023, it hit its target of switching over 25% of cars to ultra-low emission vehicles. As EV technology advances, the move towards cleaner, greener air is getting closer.

Even though EVs might be a bit pricier to buy, the lower running costs of an EV might mean you actually end up saving money in the long run. Before you whip out the calculator, take a look at the government EV charger grants available to see how much you can save.

What government EV grants and incentives can you get for buying an electric car?

In the push to drive up sales of EVs, the plug-in car grant offered up to £1,500 off new fully electric vehicles in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but that scheme was so successful that it has now closed. Instead, plug-in EV charger grant funding is now available for taxis, motorcycles, vans and trucks and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Is there an electric car charging point grant?

There have been a lot of name changes when it comes to EV charger grants for electric vehicle charging stations. You might heard of the ‘OLEV grant scheme’, as well as ‘OZEV’ and ‘EVHS’, and these are essentially the old names for what is now the EV chargepoint grant. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, it contributes 75% to the cost of installing one chargepoint and is capped at £350. The scheme is open only to homeowners who live in flats and people in rented accommodation, and you’ll need your own designated, private off-street parking space to be eligible.

Understanding the Government Electric Car grants available

Government grants for electric vehicle charging stations can be confusing. There have been lots of name changes over the years (such as the OZEV EV chargepoint grant) and some grants only ran to a certain date. That’s why we’re explaining everything about the current EV grants so you know what to look for.

The EV chargepoint grant

You can get support from the government via the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). This is known as the EV chargepoint grant but in some places, it has still been referred to as the OZEV chargepoint grant.

What was the previous offer?

Sometimes known as the OZEV chargepoint grant, it used to be the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS). This ended on 31st March 2022 and offered people up to £350 off a home EV charger.

What does the EV chargepoint grant offer?

The EV chargepoint grant is similar to its previous iteration but it’s only for renters and flat owners. It provides funding of up to 75% towards the cost of having an EV chargepoint installed at your home. Or you can get £350 off the cost of an EV charger – whichever is lowest.

How many chargepoints can each household claim?

Only one per eligible vehicle and household.

Who can apply for it?

The EV chargepoint grant is available for people living in rented properties or those who own a flat with dedicated off-street parking. Landlords or property managers can also apply for the grant, up to an additional £500 per bay (up to 60 bays) for residential car parks.

Which vehicles are eligible?

Before you can apply for the EV chargepoint grant, you need to make sure that your vehicle is eligible. You can find out which vehicles qualify here. Once you’ve checked to see that your EV is eligible, you can apply for an EV chargepoint grant by selecting an approved installer. Once you’ve accepted the quote, the installer will begin your claim and begin the process.

How can I get help if I own my property?

If you don’t qualify for the EV chargepoint grant – we can help. We offer expert EV installation from British Gas, with continued, easy management from Hive. You can also manage everything in the Hive app, benefit from special EV tariffs and get expert help when you need it.

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant

What does the WCS chargepoint grant offer?

For businesses, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant is a voucher-based scheme that contributes towards the installation of an electric charger. It covers up to 75% of the cost, up to a maximum of £350 for each socket.

How many chargepoints can each workplace claim?

You can claim for 40 sockets.

Who can apply for it?

In order to apply for the WCS chargepoint grant, your business has to have a Companies House reference number. You must also own the business premises or have the permission from the landlord to install the chargers, and an authorised EV charger installer must be used. You can find the full eligibility criteria here, as well as the application form.

How to claim the WCS chargepoint grant

Once you’ve filled in an online application form, you’ll get a voucher which is valid for four months. This can be used with your approved installer who will install the chargers and submit the claim for you.

The On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS)

This grant is run by the Energy Saving Trust for the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). It provides funding for local authorities so on-street EV chargers can be installed. If you don’t have offstreet parking, hopefully your local authority can use the extra funding to help.

EV chargepoint grant in Scotland

In Scotland, things are a bit different with the EV chargepoint grant. The Energy Saving Trust offers up to £400 towards the cost of buying and installing chargepoints at home for people who live in rural areas or buy a used EV.

You can also get additional help in the form of the interest-free Used Electric Vehicle Loan of up to £30,000 to buy a used EV.

Electric vehicles: good for the planet – and your pocket?

Even if you’re not eligible for the electric car charging grant, that shouldn’t put you off buying a new EV – they’re becoming more affordable with time. There are also workplace incentives which could help you spread the cost as well as various financing offers. And if you do a car comparison between an electric vs petrol car or electric vs diesel car, you’ll notice the difference in prices when it comes to running costs and upkeep.

When you look at the electric cars vs petrol cars pros and cons, you’ll see that you’ll be better off driving an EV. As will the planet!

Special tariffs for charging your EV

If you’ve spent years filling up with petrol or diesel, you’ll be beaming when you compare the electric vs your old running costs.

If you want more comparisons between EVs and their petrol counterparts, take a look at the numbers yourself.

On top of that, we have a special tariff for EV drivers. You’ll be able to make the most of cheaper off-peak electricity between midnight and 5am, so you can top up your car the cheapest way possible. The road to electric cars is inevitable. But it’s one that won’t leave you out of pocket in the long run.