What is a Workplace Charging Scheme?
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) ChargePoint.
Who does this apply to?
The Workplace Charging scheme is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.
It is available in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, but not in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
The scheme is run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
How does the Workplace charging scheme work?
The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV ChargePoint’s (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site.
Stephanie is a mortgage adviser from Sheffield, works from home and her business is registered to her home address. She applied for the scheme, so this meant she had £350 deducted from her installation cost. “Wow! I was so pleased to see the grant claim got deducted so quickly which reduced the installation costs quite a bit. Now I have my own charger it is so much more convenient and less expensive to charge at home instead of waiting at a public charge near to my home, sat waiting in the cold to charge and at a higher cost.”
What Happens with ChargePoint Installation?
After applying using the online application form, successful applicants are issued with a unique identification voucher code by email, which can then be given to any OZEV-authorised ChargePoint installer
Once the ChargePoint(s) have been installed, the authorised installer can claim the grant from OZEV on the applicant’s behalf. The ChargePoint installation must be completed, and the voucher claimed within 6 months of the voucher’s issue date. Claims against expired vouchers will not be paid.
Installers must not charge applicants for the grant in advance of payment being made by OZEV. As OZEV reimburses your installer for the value of your voucher, this cost will be discounted from your final invoice.
If you apply for less than 40 sockets, you can submit additional applications in the future until you reach that limit.
When Adam from Chesterfield applied through the online application, he was issued with a unique code by email immediately. He passed this code to his authourised installer who made the claim on his behalf. “I was extremely pleased with both the online application and Charge Ur Vehicle as the process was very simplistic and little time and effort’.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to applicant organisations that fulfil the following criteria:
- be a registered business, charity, or public sector organisation.
- have received or currently pending less than £200,000 of public support in the last 3 years.
- declare the need for a ChargePoint or an intent to encourage uptake amongst staff.
- be located in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
- have dedicated off street parking.
- own the property or have consent from landlord.
How to apply
- Applicant completes online application form.
- Applicant receives a decision from the scheme administrator, by email within 5 working days with their unique code.
- Applicant arranges for a OZEV approved installer to complete the installation within 6 months of the voucher expiry date.
- The applicant will receive an email from DVLA containing the information provided by the installer and confirming the grant level.
- Applicant pays the installer for the cost with the grant deduction included.
Jason is a company director and needed chargers in the workplace for his company fleet. Jason proceeded to click on the online application form, Jason stated that there was a series of simple questions about the business, the address and the number of sockets required and after a short survey he had a successful outcome and an email with a voucher code appeared within minutes. It was simple to complete and had my voucher code within minutes, passed this to Michelle and she looked after everything from thereon.”
If you want to find out more about the workplace grant scheme, then please contact us on michelle@chargeurvehicle.co.uk or call 075106757109
ACT NOW! For those wishing to make the most of the current Government “Workplace Charging Scheme” and EV Infrastructure Grant the time is NOW!. Closing date on both schemes have been published as 31st March 2024.