Funded by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), the Workplace Charging Scheme provides a grant for businesses to reduce the cost of having an EV charge point installed at their premises.
The grant allows businesses, charities, and local authorities to claim 75% of the total cost of installation, up to a maximum of £500 per socket installed, and with a maximum of 20 sockets across all sites for each applicant. Firms based in the United Kingdom (exc. Channel Islands and Isle of Man) can claim and don’t necessarily need a plug-in vehicle on the company’s books.
The charge points are required to have a need declared for them on application, which could include: existing EV fleet vehicles, to add an incentive for the uptake of plug-in vehicles with staff, to provide a charging solution for visitors, or to charge EVs planned to be purchased by the business or organisation. Charging for customers (where applicable) is not eligible for WCS funding.
Standard three-pin sockets are not eligible for funding and the EV charge points can only be fitted by accredited OLEV installers. These must provide a minimum of 3kW, with the supply not diminished by charging multiple vehicles simultaneously. Companies cannot claim for existing EV charging points, as the grant is available only for new charge points yet to be installed. The company also has to have dedicated off-street parking for staff, visitors or fleet use.