What is the Workplace Charging Scheme?

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) offers financial assistance to businesses through vouchers that offset a portion of the initial expenses associated with EV charging stations.

Each voucher is designed to subsidize up to 75% of the total costs, encompassing both the purchase and installation, or a maximum of £350 per socket. This applies to a maximum of 40 charging stations distributed across all business locations.

Authorized installers, endorsed by the Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and approved by a charge point manufacturer, are the sole recipients eligible to redeem these vouchers. Additionally, the charging points themselves must have OZEV approval.

Not sure who your nearest OZEV-authorised installer is? Check out the official list on the government website.

What are the key benefits of the scheme?

Workplace charging benefits both employees, who can conveniently charge their cars during work hours, and company vehicles, which can recharge overnight. However, the Workplace Charging Scheme offers more than just convenience. Companies participating in the scheme can:

1. Save up to £14,000 on acquisition and installation expenses.
2. Lower Benefit-in-Kind tax for company cars provided to employees.
3. Minimize carbon emissions from the company fleet.
4. Diminish the carbon footprints of employees.

Who is eligible for the scheme?

Great news – the Workplace Charging Scheme is open to businesses of all sizes, regardless of their scale.

Starting from early 2022, the scheme is expanding to include other businesses such as:

1. Registered charities and small accommodation businesses – They can claim the same amount as current eligible businesses.
2. Owners of commercially let properties – They can receive funding of up to £350 per socket, with a maximum of 100 installations each year. Owners must allocate parking spaces for their staff, fleet, or future tenants.
3. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) – SMEs can qualify for up to £15,000 per building, provided they designate at least five private parking bays for electric vehicle charging. Applicants can submit claims for up to five grants, with the condition of having at least one operational charging station after the initial funding round.

Companies must fulfill certain criteria to be eligible for the scheme, including:

1. Having off-street parking with sufficient space for installing charging stations.
2. Demonstrating the need for an existing or future electric fleet (electric vehicles do not need to be part of their current fleet).
3. Having charging stations installed by an OZEV-approved installer.
4. Being registered with Companies House or having a VAT registration.
5. Providing private parking exclusively reserved for staff or fleet use.
6. Committing to maintain the charging points for a minimum of three years.
7. Furnishing anonymous usage data to OZEV.

If you’re not eligible for the scheme, you may be eligible for some of the other government EV charging point grants. Go to our page to see the full list.

When does the scheme end?

Feel free to submit your application for this grant at your convenience, as the government has not specified an end date.

In fact, rather than winding down, the government is intensifying the scheme to promote increased adoption of electric vehicles.

Originally introduced in 2016, the Workplace Charging Scheme was renewed in December 2020 and is slated for further expansion in 2022.

How to apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme

To apply for the scheme, you’ll need to head to the online application portal.

Before initiating the application process, ensure you have the following information readily available:

1. Contact details
2. Proof of eligibility
3. Site details where installations are planned
4. Declaration of the current need for charging or the intention to promote the adoption of eligible electric vehicles (EVs)
5. Conditions for the use of the charge point
6. Declaration of state aid (for clarification, refer to the government’s provided explanation)

Upon successful completion of eligibility checks, a unique identification voucher code will be emailed to you, valid for six months. This code can be provided to any OZEV-authorized installer. Keep in mind that once the voucher expires, the installer cannot proceed with the charging point installation, so ensure ample time is available before the expiry date.

The government emphasizes that installations completed before voucher issuance will not qualify for the grant.

Once the charge point installation has been completed, the authorised installer will claim the grant from the OZEV, on the applicant’s behalf, through the online installer portal.

Has the scheme been popular?

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) has undeniably gained momentum over the years.

Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has facilitated the installation of 16,975 sockets in workplace car parks as of July 1, 2021. While this figure may suggest a wide range of businesses, spanning from 424 to 16,975, the past year has witnessed a notable surge in interest. Out of the total installations, 7,118 sockets were added in the last 12 months, marking a remarkable 72% increase from July 2020.

This upswing in installations corresponds with the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK, evident in the substantial increase in registered electric cars throughout 2020. As the government actively promotes greater EV adoption, it is anticipated that the number of workplace installations will continue to mirror this upward trend.

Next steps

With the surge in electric vehicles driven by government initiatives like the Workplace Charging Scheme, the dominance of EVs on the roads is only a matter of time, potentially surpassing traditional petrol and diesel cars.

Considering electric vehicle charging points for your business? We’ve got you covered. Just provide some details in our quote form, and we’ll connect you with our experienced installers who will offer their best prices.