Did you know UK businesses can save up to £10,000 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure?
The Workplace Charging Scheme makes this possible and provides great support to organisations that want to adopt eco-friendly transport solutions. This government workplace charging scheme has helped thousands of UK businesses install EV charging points at their locations.
Many businesses haven’t yet used this valuable workplace charging scheme grant. The scheme benefits businesses of all sizes – from small enterprises to large corporations. Understanding how to access and maximise these funds is a vital part of your business’s future.
We’ll walk you through the Workplace Charging Scheme details. You’ll learn about eligibility requirements and application processes. This information will help you make smart decisions about your EV charging infrastructure.
Start securing this funding today and join other businesses that lead the way toward eco-friendly transport solutions.
Understanding the Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme is a crucial government programme that helps UK organisations set up electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This voucher programme gives businesses, charities, and public sector organisations money to install EV charging points at their locations.
What is the workplace charging scheme
The scheme gives up to £350 for each charging socket. Organisations can claim up to 40 sockets across their sites. Businesses need to apply through the official Workplace Charging Scheme portal to get their voucher code. The code stays valid for 180 days, and an authorised installer must complete the work during this time.
Key benefits for businesses
Businesses that use the Workplace Charging Scheme get several benefits:
- Money that covers up to 75% of installation costs
- Tax advantages through 100% capital allowance claims
- Extra infrastructure grants worth £500 for each parking space
- No tax on electricity costs when they provide charging to employees
Recent updates and changes
The scheme’s eligibility criteria have expanded significantly. Small accommodation businesses and home-based companies can now apply if they meet certain requirements. Local residents can use business charging points after office hours, which makes the infrastructure more useful.
The programme works with the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets to give better support for detailed charging solutions. Businesses can claim both grants for the same site, but not for the same charging points. Companies must get at least one chargepoint under the infrastructure grant before they ask for more points through the Workplace Charging Scheme.
HomeCharge helps businesses that want to install charging points. Our team makes sure everything meets technical requirements, including smart features and minimum power outputs of 3.5kW. We take care of everything from the original site surveys to final setup, which gives you a smooth transition to workplace EV charging.
Eligibility Requirements for the Grant
The Workplace Charging Scheme funding requires you to meet specific eligibility criteria. Here’s what you need to know to make your application successful.
Business qualification criteria
The scheme welcomes businesses, charities, and public sector organisations in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Small accommodation businesses and public authorities can join now. They have no restrictions on who uses their charging facilities.
Businesses can receive up to £315,000 in minimal financial assistance over three financial years. This includes state grants and subsidies.
Home-based businesses qualify if their address appears as their place of business with Companies House or on their business rate bill. This broader approach will give more organisations the chance to participate in workplace charging initiatives.
Property and parking requirements
Your business’s property must meet certain conditions for charging infrastructure placement. You need to own the premises or get your landlord’s permission to install charge points. The site must have dedicated off-road parking that clearly belongs to the premises.
Suitable parking spaces for chargepoint installations are vital. Your charging spaces must be exclusively yours, but you can share the rest of the car park with other organisations. Business charge points are limited to staff and fleet use, though local residents can use them outside office hours.
Documentation needed
Your application requires one of these important documents:
- Companies House reference number
- VAT registration number
- Business rate (non-domestic) bill from your local council or Land and Property Services
Charities and NHS surgeries can provide different proof if they lack standard documentation. Charities can use their Charity Commission registration. NHS surgeries can submit documentation from the NHS Digital ODS Portal, NHS inform, or Find a GP practise portal.
For charge points at employees’ homes for company vehicles, you’ll need a letter that confirms employment status and installation permission. The HomeCharge team helps you prepare all documents before you submit them through the Workplace Charging Scheme portal.
Grant Amounts and Financial Support
Businesses can make smarter decisions about their EV charging infrastructure investments by understanding the financial support that the Workplace Charging Scheme provides.
Maximum funding available
The scheme provides £350 per charging socket or covers 75% of the purchase and installation costs, whichever is lower. Your business can claim up to 40 sockets across all sites, which adds up to substantial funding. Your organisation can still claim 30 more sockets through future applications if you’ve already claimed 10 chargepoint sockets.
Additional infrastructure grants
The EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets complements the Workplace Charging Scheme perfectly. This extra grant covers 75% of the infrastructure work costs up to £15,000. You’ll also get an additional £500 per parking space to develop supporting infrastructure.
Both grants work well for the same site, but remember they can’t apply to the same chargepoints. Your organisation needs to secure at least one chargepoint under the infrastructure grant before you ask for more points through the Workplace Charging Scheme.
Cost breakdown and business investment
Tax advantages make workplace charging infrastructure an attractive investment for businesses right now. The HMRC Employment Income Manual states that workplace EV charging facilities for employees and passengers stay tax-free under certain conditions.
Your organisation can claim 100% of the costs as capital allowances for electric vehicle charging point installation. The new super deduction might apply to some expenses, offering a 130% enhanced deduction of the total cost. These tax benefits make charging infrastructure a smart investment choice for businesses.
HomeCharge guides organisations through this entire process to help them get the most from available funding while meeting technical requirements. Our expertise helps create budget-friendly charging solutions that fit your needs by leveraging both the Workplace Charging Scheme and infrastructure grants.
Application Process Through the Workplace Charging Scheme Portal
The Workplace Charging Scheme portal needs your attention to detail and proper documentation when you submit your application. Our HomeCharge team will guide you through each step to give you a smooth application process.
Creating your application
You’ll start by accessing the official Workplace Charging Scheme portal. The system gives you a unique voucher code that stays valid for 180 days after registration. You must complete the installation within this time frame with an authorised installer.
HomeCharge will do a full site survey before you apply. This vital step helps us find the best spots for your charging points and meet all technical requirements. This preparation will boost your chances of success.
Required documentation
We need specific evidence based on your organisation type:
- Business entities must provide either their Companies House reference number, VAT registration number, or a business rate bill
- Charities need to submit their Charity Commission registration or a letter from their principal regulator
- NHS surgeries should include documentation from the NHS Digital ODS Portal or equivalent regional healthcare systems
Organisations must also declare their minimal financial assistance status. You need to confirm you haven’t received more than £315,000 in state aid over three financial years. Public authorities don’t need to make this declaration.
Common application errors to avoid
We’ve seen many applications and here are the key points that often cause rejection:
Make sure your installer has proper authorisation under the scheme. Many applications get rejected right away because people use non-authorised installers. HomeCharge’s OZEV-approved status means we meet all installation requirements.
There’s another reason why applications fail – chargepoint specifications. Home-based workplace installations need charge points that work for both residential and commercial use. Your claim will be denied if you use residential-only charge points.
A third-party organisation might audit your application by scrutinising WCS data, statements, and records. They might visit your site and need access to the chargepoint. Our team makes sure your documentation meets audit standards and keeps proper records throughout.
Businesses installing charge points at employees’ homes must have an evidence letter. This letter should confirm employment status and installation permission. HomeCharge helps prepare this documentation to meet all scheme requirements.
Post-Approval Steps
Your EV charging infrastructure implementation begins after the Workplace Charging Scheme portal approves your application.
Finding an approved installer
The first significant decision is choosing an authorised installer. HomeCharge, an OZEV-approved installer, sets high standards for workplace charging point installations. Our expertise covers charging solutions of all types, from simple workplace setups to complex multi-point systems.
We provide complete site assessments to find the best charging point locations for workplace installations. Our team checks your electrical infrastructure to ensure it matches your chosen charging units’ power needs. You’ll receive detailed installation plans based on your specific requirements.
Installation timeframes
You must complete the installation within 180 days after receiving your voucher code. HomeCharge handles this timeline well and coordinates every part of the installation process to meet this vital deadline.
The installation process includes:
- Site preparation and electrical infrastructure check
- Charging points and supporting infrastructure setup
- Testing and commissioning of installed equipment
- Safety checks and system verification
- Staff training on charging point usage
Claiming your grant
We handle the grant claim process for you after completing the installation. This step needs attention to detail because we deduct the grant amount from your final invoice. Our team makes sure all documentation follows the scheme’s requirements.
The claim process goes through strict verification. Some installations might need an audit by a third-party organisation. These audits look at WCS data, statements, and installation records. They might visit your site to check the chargepoint. HomeCharge keeps complete documentation throughout the process for smooth audit compliance.
The grant amount (up to £350 per socket) comes off your final payment after successful claim processing. Your business can claim extra tax benefits through capital allowances, and some spending qualifies for a 130% enhanced deduction of the total cost.
Workplace facilities that provide EV charging to employees don’t pay tax on electricity costs under specific conditions. Our team helps you understand these tax implications so you get all available benefits while following HMRC requirements.
HomeCharge stays with you throughout this post-approval experience, from planning to grant claim completion. We take care of all technical aspects and make sure your workplace charging infrastructure works for now and future growth. Our support continues after installation with maintenance services to keep your charging points running well.
Conclusion
The Workplace Charging Scheme gives UK businesses a great chance to build resilient EV charging infrastructure and save by a lot on costs. Organisations can get up to £350 for each socket and install up to 40 sockets. This makes environmentally responsible transport solutions more available than ever.
UK businesses should move quickly to get these benefits and tax advantages. On top of that, they can combine the scheme with infrastructure grants to get more funding. This helps create detailed charging solutions for the core team and fleet vehicles.
Success depends on meeting eligibility criteria, having proper documentation, and following installation requirements. HomeCharge will help you at every step – from the original application to the final installation. Reach out to us today to start your experience toward workplace EV charging that works for your current and future needs.
Of course, businesses that set up workplace charging now will be ready for what a world of greener transport looks like. They’ll also benefit from major cost savings and tax advantages as the UK moves toward a cleaner future.
FAQs
Q1. Who can apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The scheme is open to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations across the UK, including small accommodation businesses and home-based enterprises that meet specific criteria. Applicants must have dedicated off-road parking associated with their premises.
Q2. How much funding is available through the Workplace Charging Scheme?
Organisations can receive up to £350 per charging socket or 75% of the purchase and installation costs, whichever is lower. The scheme allows claims for up to 40 sockets across all sites, with a maximum potential funding of £14,000.
Q3. Can businesses combine the Workplace Charging Scheme with other grants?
Yes, businesses can combine the Workplace Charging Scheme with the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets. However, these grants cannot be applied to the same charge points, and at least one chargepoint must be secured under the infrastructure grant before applying for additional points through the Workplace Charging Scheme.
Q4. What is the process for applying to the Workplace Charging Scheme?
Applicants must register through the official Workplace Charging Scheme portal to receive a unique voucher code valid for 180 days. They need to provide specific documentation based on their organisation type and complete the installation within the voucher’s validity period using an authorised installer.
Q5. Are there any tax benefits for businesses installing workplace EV chargers?
Yes, businesses can claim 100% of the costs as capital allowances when installing electric vehicle charging points. Some expenditure may qualify for a 130% enhanced deduction of the total cost. Additionally, providing workplace EV charging facilities to employees remains tax-free under specific conditions.