- The UK’s Department for Transport has announced a grant scheme boost that will see renters, landlords, business owners, and some homeowners be able to claim nearly 50% of the cost of an EV chargepoint installation.
- These boosted grants will make domestic charging more accessible to more of the UK, allowing them to benefit from charging costs that start at as little as 2 pence per mile.
- The grant scheme will also cover the installation of pavement channel-based charging solutions, allowing those without access to off-street parking to also benefit from a reduced cost of charging installation.
UK extends and boosts grants for EV charging installations
From the 1st of April, the UK will boost grants under four separate schemes from £350 to £500 per grant. This includes the chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners, grant for residential landlords, grant for households with on-street parking, and the Workplace Charging Scheme. A separate grant which funds chargepoints installed within schools will also be extended for another year, with grants of up to £2,000 per charging socket available.
The news follows several pieces of pro-EV policy rollout seen from the UK government over the last twelve months. This also included the introduction of the Electric Car Grant scheme last year, offering buyers of eligible new EVs up to £3,750 off their purchase cost. Together, these schemes, along with the new boosted grants, are helping more UK drivers to make the switch ahead of the key 2030 and 2035 dates within the ZEV mandate.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, commented:
“We’re taking action to make EV ownership the affordable choice for everyone – not just those with driveways. Bigger grants mean families, flat owners, renters and small businesses can now install a charger for almost half the usual cost, with home charging costing as little as 2p a mile.
Combined with our Electric Car Grant which has saved over 55,000 drivers thousands off the price of a new EV whilst boosting sales for carmakers, and record funding for our national public charging network, we’re backing the EV revolution for drivers, businesses, and industry.”
The industry reacts
Jarrod Birch, Head of Policy at ChargeUK, added:
“This is a welcome boost for EV drivers, combined with the Electric Car Grant it shows what’s possible when drivers can access affordable energy – low running costs that make EVs the obvious choice. Most drivers use a blend of home and public charging, so the UK’s 88,500-strong public network is a vital part of the EV driving puzzle. But policy-driven costs mean public charging is more expensive than it needs be, with standing charges alone rising by 462% since 2021. The Government’s review into the cost of public charging is the opportunity to address this by levelling VAT with home and tackling the soaring charges that have increased prices. Making driving an EV affordable for all is the route to keeping the transition on track.”
Matt Waller, General Manager of The Charge Scheme, said:
“March is already set to be a record month for EV uptake as new number plates arrive. This positive step forward from the Department for Transport should lead to an increase in searches for EVs in the coming weeks and months, as households and businesses take advantage of the lower costs offered by the combination of the grants and salary sacrifice for EV purchases and charging.”
