The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) administers several grants that support EV charger installation in the UK. For businesses, housing developers, landlords, and local authorities, these grants can meaningfully reduce the cost of installing EV infrastructure. This guide summarises the main schemes active in 2026, who qualifies, and how to apply.
The main OZEV grants for EV charging, who qualifies and how much they pay.
The Schemes at a Glance
The active OZEV grant schemes relevant to EV charging include:
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) - for businesses, charities, and public sector.
The EV Chargepoint Grant for flats and rental accommodation - for landlords and residents of flats.
The Infrastructure Grant for Residential Carparks (EVICS) - for landlords and property managers of flats.
The Local Authority EV Infrastructure (LEVI) funding - for local authorities.
Plug-in Grants for vehicles (not charging) - specific vehicle types only.
Scheme terms change regularly. Always check the current OZEV guidance before planning around a specific grant.
Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
The WCS is the largest and most widely used business grant for EV charging.
Eligibility:
Businesses of any size.
Registered charities.
Public sector bodies.
The applicant must own the premises or have the landlord’s consent. The applicant must have dedicated off-street parking for the chargers.
Grant amount: up to £350 per socket, up to 40 sockets per applicant.
Process:
Apply through the OZEV portal. Applicants receive a voucher code.
Choose an OZEV-approved installer.
The installer claims the grant on the applicant’s behalf after installation.
The voucher is valid for 120 days from issue.
The grant is deducted from the invoice, so the applicant pays the net amount.
Typical WCS-supported installation: 5 to 20 chargers at a typical office or depot.
EV Chargepoint Grant for Flats and Rental
This grant supports EV charger installation for residents of flats and rental properties who do not own their property.
Eligibility:
Residents of flats (owner-occupiers or renters with landlord consent).
Renters in any type of rental accommodation with landlord consent.
Grant amount: up to £350 per charger.
Process:
The installer applies on the applicant’s behalf after confirming eligibility.
The voucher is deducted from the installation invoice.
Infrastructure Grant for Residential Carparks (EVICS)
EVICS supports landlords installing chargers in shared car parks at flat developments.
Eligibility:
Landlords of residential buildings with communal parking.
Property management companies.
Right to Manage companies.
Grant amount: up to £30,000 per car park (subject to current scheme terms).
Process: Application through the OZEV portal with supporting evidence of ownership and tenant demand. Funding is paid after installation.
LEVI Funding
The Local Authority EV Infrastructure fund provides capital grants to local authorities to install on-street chargers for residents without off-street parking.
Eligibility: UK local authorities (England mainly, with similar schemes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
Grant amount: allocated by region and scheme round.
LEVI is not accessed directly by businesses or individuals, but it is relevant to developers because it funds the public charging networks around new developments.
Plug-in Grants
The Plug-in Vehicle Grant (for cars) ended in 2022. Grants remain available for:
Electric vans.
Electric motorcycles and mopeds.
Electric taxis.
Electric trucks.
Grant amounts vary by vehicle category. Check the current OZEV guidance.
How to Maximise Grant Value
Combine grants. WCS (workplace) and EVICS (residential car parks on the same building) can both apply to a mixed-use development.
Apply before installation. Grants are processed by the installer on your behalf, but you need to apply for the voucher before work starts.
Use an OZEV-approved installer. Only approved installers can claim grants. A non-approved installer will cost you the grant value directly.
Keep within eligible periods. WCS vouchers expire 120 days after issue. If installation slips, reapply.
Claim maximum sockets. On WCS, the 40-socket cap is generous. Install enough chargers from the outset to use the full allowance.
What to Watch Out For
Grant scheme changes. OZEV periodically reviews and updates schemes. Scheme pauses, caps, or changes are announced with limited notice.
Eligibility disputes. Unusual premises types (listed buildings, mixed-use sites, new-build car parks) occasionally fall outside standard criteria.
Installer errors. Grant claims must be submitted correctly. A failed claim means the applicant pays the full invoice.
Timing of claims. Installation invoices must match the grant scheme terms. Advance payments or deposits can sometimes complicate claims.
Beyond OZEV: Other Funding Sources
Additional funding for EV infrastructure sometimes comes from:
Local authority grant schemes (varies by region).
Low-carbon business grant funds.
Enterprise Zone incentives in specific locations.
Climate Change Levy (CCL) relief for certain power uses.
Energy efficiency certification schemes (for example, some ESOS activities may qualify).
For larger installations or specific use cases, a grant specialist can identify combinations that maximise funding.
Typical Net Cost After Grants
For a 10-charger workplace installation:
Gross cost: £20,000 to £35,000.
WCS grant: up to £3,500.
Net cost: £16,500 to £31,500.
For a 20-charger flat development car park:
Gross cost: £40,000 to £70,000.
EVICS grant: up to £30,000 (subject to scheme terms).
Net cost: £10,000 to £40,000.
On the right scheme with the right installation, grants can halve the project cost.
The Bottom Line
OZEV grants are a meaningful subsidy for EV charger installation, particularly the WCS for workplaces and EVICS for flats. The schemes are straightforward to use with the help of an approved installer. Check the current scheme terms before planning around a specific grant, because criteria and cap amounts change year to year. Used correctly, grants can turn a marginal investment into a clear-cut business decision.