Cover phage showing Government grants for EV chargepoint installation: a building manager's guide and image of a block of flats
  • Property Management
  • |
  • 11 July 2023

Government grants for EV charger installation in apartment blocks & commercial properties

Is your property ready for an EV future?

Setting up EV chargers in your apartment blocks and commercial properties might seem overwhelming. But, with several government grants available, there’s no better time to start than now.

By taking action today, you’ll gain a competitive edge.

These grants can cover up to 75% of installation costs, though navigating the requirements can be tricky.

This guide is your go-to checklist for a smoother, faster installation and application process. Let’s get started!

Four reasons why acting now is a smart idea

EV charging will soon be a must-have in any residential and commercial property as interest in EVs continues to grow — and fast.

How do we know?

1. 2030 deadline for petrol and diesel cars

The UK government has put in place a ban on the production of petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, and hybrid cars and vans by 2035.

Additionally, auto dealers will have to ensure Zero-Emission Vehicles make up:

  • at least 22% of all cars sold in 2024
  • 80% of all cars sold by 2030
  • 100% of the cars sold in 2035

That’s just seven years left for the internal combustion engine.

2. Accelerated rise in EV sales

According to RAC estimates, 700,000 fully electric vehicles were on the road at the beginning of 2023 — seven times more than in 2019.

Environmentalism and sustainability have been the primary motivators behind EV purchases — a trend that will only grow in importance. Improved vehicle performance and lower total cost of ownership, meanwhile, are close behind, motivating individuals and businesses alike.

While many buyers may currently prefer to start with a hybrid vehicle (which still requires a convenient home charging setup), the 2035 ban will change that too.

3. EV charging increases the value of real estate

Already back in 2021, 76% of homes with EV charging installed sold for more than the local average.

With strict government bans and the rise of sustainable businesses and lifestyles, we can expect more and more flat buyers to have EV charging on their must-have checklist, alongside good schools and a nearby train station.

4. There are government grants available — for now

We understand that with all your responsibilities, EV charging might not be top of mind today. But waiting could cost you. 

As the 2030 deadline for petrol and diesel cars nears, demand and costs for EV charging setups will soar. As will installation costs.

There are grants for tenants and landlords, but they can be pulled at any time—like the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme and the Plug-in Grant for cars. While the government aims to give four weeks’ notice before ending any EV charger grants, it’s not guaranteed.

If we’ve learned anything from the past, it’s that those who act now, win. So, don’t wait—get ahead today!

EV chargepoint installation grants available

Jump to section:

EV chargepoint grant for landlords

What you can claim

£350 or 75% off the cost to buy and install a socket, whichever is lower.

You can get up to:

  • 200 grants per financial year* for residential properties
  • 100 grants per financial year for commercial properties

for one or several properties and installations.

*6 April to 5 April the next year

Eligibility

Who’s eligible

You can apply if you own or manage flats, houses, apartment blocks, or business premises.
Both commercial and residential landlords are eligible, but different criteria apply.

Residential landlord

An individual or organisation that owns or manages a property that:

  • is let or leased for people to live in
  • contains multiple units people live in (such as a block of flats)
  • includes common or communal spaces of a property with multiple units people live in (such as an apartment block or a housing estate)

Commercial landlord

An individual or organisation that owns or manages a property that is leased or let to a business that pays business rates.

Eligible residential landlords:

  • Individual with property to let
  • Right to manage company
  • Residents management company
  • Company or person owning the freehold of a property
  • Company owning a building’s common areas, including shareholders who are the leaseholders
  • Property factor in Scotland
  • Private registered provider of social housing
  • Public sector organisation
  • Charity that manages or owns residential property

Eligible commercial landlords:

  • Individual with commercial property to let
  • Company that owns:
    • the freehold of a commercial property
    • a commercial property’s common areas, with
    • shareholders who are the leaseholders

Property eligibility criteria

Both EV infrastructure and chargepoint grants can be used on the same property.

The property must be:

  • an existing property (not under construction)
  • located in in the UK (not in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man)

Parking spaces must be:

  • off-street, private, and clearly defined (even if they’re not part of the property)
  • accessible to all tenants

The applicant must own or have the legal right to the given parking space.

Chargepoint eligibility criteria

The chargepoint installed must be on the list of chargepoint models for residential properties and commercial properties approved by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

In the case of commercial properties, the chargepoint should be accessible only to the building’s staff and vehicles.

How to access the grant

See Application process for EV chargepoint and infrastructure grants for landlords below.

 

 

EV infrastructure grant for landlords

This grant helps you save on the cost of wider EV chargepoint installation, covering additional infrastructure costs like wiring and posts.

 What you can claim

  • Up to 30 infrastructure grants per financial year
  • Up to £30,000 or 75% off the cost of the work, depending on the number of parking spaces covered. That includes:
    • up to £350 off the cost of buying and installing a chargepoint socket
    • up to £500 for each parking space provided

Eligibility

Who’s eligible

You can only apply for a grant if:

  • you own or manage flats, houses, apartment blocks, or business premises in the UK
  • you’re not a commercial landlord

Property eligibility criteria

The property must:

  • be an existing property (not under construction)
  • comprise multiple homes (such as an apartment block or an estate with several buildings sharing a car park)
  • be located in in the UK (not in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man)

Parking spaces covered by the grant must be:

  • off-street, private, and clearly defined, even if they’re not part of the property
  • accessible to all tenants
  • in a car park with at least 5 parking spaces clearly marked

The applicant must own or have the legal right to the given parking space.

You’ll also need to:

  • install at least one EV charging point socket
  • work on at least five parking spaces to either:
    • install a chargepoint socket
    • prepare the space for future installation

Both EV infrastructure and chargepoint grants can be used on the same property.

Chargepoint eligibility criteria

The EV charger installed must be on the list of OZEV-approved models for residential properties and commercial properties.

The charger should be accessible only to the building’s staff and vehicles.

How to access the grant


Checklist: Application process for EV chargepoint
and infrastructure grants for landlords

Download checklist

 

Get clear on current and future demand to inform your EV charging strategy. This might mean a few consultations and surveys. Make sure to ask your tenants the right questions to gauge both their short-term and long-term needs.

An experienced EV charging ecosystem provider can help you craft a flexible, adaptable EV charging strategy for your buildings.

EV chargepoint installation will require:

  • certified electricians and engineers to perform an electrical audit of the building as well as any necessary upgrades
  • Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) provider to supply the charging stations, electrical conductors and related equipment, and software for energy management
  • OZEV-approved installer or an OZEV-authorised representative like Powerverse that can manage the entire process from strategy to installation and grant claims.

In this guide, you’ll find some useful tips on choosing the right supplier for you.

If you work with more than one installer or apply for more than one address, you’ll need to submit a separate application for each one. You will also need to file separate applications for residential and commercial properties.

Quick tip: To save you a lot of headache post-installation, look into maintenance procedures and costs of the potential EVSE supplier and installer.

For example, at Powerverse, we include ongoing maintenance with automatic updates and AI monitoring to resolve all issues swiftly and successfully as part of our service.

Before applying, you’ll need to have:

  • up-to-date property risk assessment that includes EV charging points
  • electrical audit confirming the building’s capacity to handle the additional load needed for EV charging
  • completed all necessary upgrades to the building’s electrical supply
  • regular maintenance checks arranged
  • performed a thorough site inspection to identify potential physical barriers that may:
    • impact access to chargepoints
    • fail to protect them from damage
    • complicate the installation process
  • defined the best EV charging spots based on the above as well as:
    • residents’ needs
    • Wi-Fi access and signal strength
    • infrastructure setup requirements
    • and more…

Decide how the electricity and running costs will be paid for and what pricing models will be applied.

Although not mandatory, this step is crucial in ensuring the chosen EV charging setup is future-proofed and cost-efficient. It will also help you:

  • facilitate the process of getting resident buy-in
  • identify and implement additional income streams

Contact your OZEV-authorised installer for a quote on installing the chargers and additional infrastructure, if applicable. Once you agree on the work and costs, you can start the grant application process.

Selecting the right charging technology from the start can save you a lot of stress and costly updates in the future.

You may want to make sure it works with all EV models and can withstand consistent high loads as the number of EVs in the building grows.

Whichever model you choose, it must be on the list of OZEV-approved chargepoint models for residential properties or commercial properties.

Quick tip: Consider setting up an Energy Management System (EMS).

EV charging can lead to significant incremental costs. You can avoid that by using an EMS that:

  • incorporates smart load management to make sure that demand doesn’t exceed supply even when all chargepoints are connected
  • allows switching between energy sources, such as the grid and solar
  • includes dynamic charging, charge scheduling, and community charging for maximum cost-efficiency

You’ll need to fill out an online application providing additional information, such as:

  • your email address
  • UK mobile phone
  • Companies House company registration number or a VAT registration number ​
  • one address
  • one EV chargepoint installer and their OZEV number
  • the number of parking spaces covered (for the EV infrastructure grant)

An application form will land in your inbox as soon as your installer begins the grant application process. This will ask you to submit additional information and evidence, such as a Land Registry title register for the car park where EV chargepoints will be installed.

Your installer or OZEV-approved representative should be able to navigate this process for you.

After the form has been submitted and approved by OZEV, it will let your installer know that they can start the work.

Sometimes, OZEV might do an on-site audit to ensure everything’s up to standards. Be aware that if anything’s amiss, the process might be stopped.

The EV charger installation must be completed within 90 days. Don’t worry if more time is needed—your installer will simply request an extension from OZEV. 

Once the charging points are set up and tested:

  • your installer will claim the grant with details and photos of the installation and the EV charger. They’ll also supply their invoice.
  • OZEV will email you the application for review. You’ll have one week’s window to request any changes.
  • if approved, the grant will be paid directly to the installer. You should see the grant amount subtracted from their final invoice.

And that’s it! Then your tenants can start enjoying their new EV charging setup and the benefits it brings. 

EV chargepoint grant if you own or rent a flat

What you can claim

£350 or 75% off the cost to buy and install a socket, whichever amount is lower.

Eligibility

Who’s eligible

You can apply for this grant if you:

  • own and live in a flat
  • rent any residential property
  • live in a home with its own private off-street parking space
  • own an OZEV-approved electric vehicle (you will need to provide evidence of its ownership or use)

If your EV is on lease, you can apply if:

  • the lease is for at least 6 months
  • it includes a chargepoint that will become yours once payment is complete
  • the lease specifies the cost of the chargepoint and its installation, including VAT
  • the chargepoint warranty meets the grant requirements

Property eligibility criteria

You can apply if:

  • the property is in the UK (houses in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are not eligible)
  • it’s an existing residential property that you live in
  • it has a parking space that:
    • you own or have the legal right to
    • is off-street, private, and clearly defined (even if not part of the property)
    • is accessible to you at all times

Chargepoint eligibility criteria

The chargepoint installed must be on the list of OZEV-approved chargepoint models.

How to access the grant

The first precondition — you must work with an OZEV-authorised representative or installer.

Some companies like Powerverse will be able to deliver an end-to-end managed service. This includes the initial assessments to supplying OZEV-approved chargers like our current VCHRGD Seven Pro model, engaging an OZEV-approved installer, and managing your EV chargepoints.

Alternatively, you will need to invest more time to find and manage several contractors to perform an electrical audit, supply EV chargers, install chargepoints, and ensure ongoing maintenance.

This guide covers useful tips on choosing the right installer for you.

It is crucial that a certified electrician with experience in EV charging performs a thorough electrical audit of your house. This will ensure that its infrastructure can handle the additional load created by EV charging.

It may also require you to upgrade the house’s existing electrical supply.

The chosen EV chargepoint installer will make an assessment of your home and your EV charging requirements in order to provide a quote for the work.

Once the costs have been mutually agreed on, you can ask the supplier to start your grant application.

As your installer begins the application process, you will receive an online application form to provide the required information and documentation, such as Land Registry title deeds. Your installer should be able to guide you through the government requirements.

After the form has been submitted and approved by the OZEV, they will let your installer know that they can start the work.

In some cases, OZEV may choose to audit your EV chargepoint installation process to ensure it meets the grant requirements. If they’re not allowed on site, the installation may be stopped.

The installation must be completed within 90 days or an extension officially requested through another form and approved by OZEV.

Once the process is complete, your installer will claim the grant. They will need to supply details on your chargepoints, photographs of the installation process, as well as an invoice.

The invoice you receive should have the grant amount subtracted from the total installation cost.

Useful resources:

About Powerverse

We’re industry experts in home energy management. Our easy-to-use app is built for your future electric home. It will effortlessly sync your solar, battery, heat pump, EV charger and more, helping you cut costs and your carbon footprint on your way to becoming energy-independent. Curious to know more? Talk to one of our experts.

Other articles you might be interested in