There are two government electric car grants available to landlords to help offset the costs of EV charger installation:
- The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant
- The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant
Whether you own residential properties or commercial premises, these grants offer landlords financial support to provide tenants with EV chargers and also the necessary electrical infrastructure.
Throughout this guide, we will explain the grant eligibility criteria, the grant application process, and the benefits you can gain as a landlord by installing EV charging infrastructure.
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grants for Landlords
As a landlord, you have the opportunity to benefit from two grants when installing chargers for electric vehicles at your properties: the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant.
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant focuses specifically on providing financial assistance for the cost of installing an electric vehicle charger socket. Landlords can receive either £350 or 75% off the purchase and installation cost, whichever is lower. The grant is applicable to both residential and commercial properties, with specific limits on the number of grants available each year.
The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant offers financial support for broader building and installation work required to accommodate multiple charger sockets. This grant covers expenses such as wiring, posts, and other infrastructure elements necessary for current and future socket installations. The amount granted can be up to £30,000 or 75% of the work’s cost, depending on the number of parking spaces involved.
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant are two very different grants available to landlords. Both grants aim to encourage the installation of EV chargers and charging infrastructure, but they differ in their scope and the specific aspects that they cover.
Let’s look at both grants in more detail…
EV Chargepoint Grant for Landlords
- The EV Chargepoint Grant provides a grant toward the cost of installing an electric vehicle charger.
- You can receive either £350 or 75% off the purchase and installation cost, whichever is lower.
- Each financial year, you can obtain up to 200 grants for residential properties and 100 grants for commercial properties. These grants can be utilised across multiple properties or for a single property.
EV Infrastructure Grant for Landlords
- The EV Infrastructure Grant offers financial support for broader building and installation work required to accommodate multiple charging sockets.
- This grant covers expenses such as wiring, posts, and other infrastructure elements needed for current and future socket installations.
- The grant provides up to £30,000 or 75% off the work’s cost, depending on the number of parking spaces involved.
- You can receive up to 30 infrastructure grants per financial year, and each grant must be utilised for a different property.
Who is eligible for landlord EV charger grants?
To apply for these grants, you must own or manage flats, houses, or business premises in the UK (excluding the Channel Islands and Isle of Man).
Applications can be made on behalf of companies, charities, or public sector organizations registered in the UK.
Grants are applicable only to existing properties and cannot be used for buildings under construction.
- Residential Landlords
Residential landlords include individuals with properties for rent, right-to-manage (RTM) companies, residents’ management companies (RMCs), freehold property owners, property factor companies (in Scotland), private registered providers of social housing (PRPs), public sector organizations, and charities managing or owning residential properties.
Residential landlords can apply for both the EV Chargepoint Grant and EV Infrastructure Grant. - Commercial Landlords
Commercial landlords lease or let properties to businesses that pay business rates.
Commercial landlords can apply for the EV Chargepoint Grant, but they are not eligible for the EV Infrastructure Grant.
The charge point installed can only be used by the building’s staff and vehicles, not the general public. - Parking Space Requirements
Each parking space where you intend to install a charger must be off-street, private, and clearly defined.
The parking space should be accessible to your tenant and either owned by you or have legal rights to install the charger.
Ensure you have all the necessary legal rights and permissions before beginning any installations that may involve cables or parts crossing private or public land.
Your installer will verify that your dedicated parking spaces meet the EV charger requirements.
How can landlords apply for EV charger grants?
To apply for EV charger grants, landlords need to follow these steps:
- Prepare the Building
Before applying for the grants, ensure that any necessary upgrades to the building’s electrical supply are completed. Arrange regular maintenance checks for the chargers and update the property’s risk assessment to include the chargers.
Additionally, make the chargers easily accessible to users and determine how the electricity and running costs will be paid. - Contact an OZEV-Authorized Installer
It is essential to engage an installer who is authorized by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). Reach out to an authorized installer to obtain a quote for the installation work. The installer will provide advice and guidance on the installation process and any necessary infrastructure work. - Choose an Approved Charger Model
Select an OZEV-approved EV charger for installation. There are specific models approved for residential properties and separate models for commercial properties. Ensure that the chosen charger model meets OZEV’s criteria. - Create a Landlord Account and Apply
To apply for the grants, create a landlord account on the Gov.uk platform. You will need an email address and a UK mobile phone number to receive a security code. If you are a linked enterprise, apply using the company registration number of your controlling company. - Application Details
In the application, provide the necessary information, including the address of the property, and details of the chosen installer (including their OZEV installer number), and, if applying for the EV Infrastructure Grant, specify the number of parking spaces the work will cover. - Multiple Sockets or Installers
If you are applying for multiple sockets at the same address or using more than one installer or applying for different addresses, submit separate applications for each case.
What are the benefits to landlords of installing EV chargers?
Installing chargers at properties can provide several benefits to landlords.
Firstly, by installing EV chargers, landlords can future-proof their properties. As the demand for EVs continues to grow, properties with charging infrastructure are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of tenants. This forward-thinking approach ensures that your properties remain relevant and appealing to prospective tenants in an increasingly electric vehicle-oriented market.
As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to rise, offering on-site charging facilities can be a significant draw for EV-owning tenants, especially in areas with limited charging infrastructure.
Installing chargers will please existing tenants who own electric vehicles. By providing on-site charging, you eliminate their reliance on free public charging stations or dedicated charging centres like Gridserve, making their daily charging routines more convenient.
Another benefit is the potential for a rental premium. Properties equipped with EV chargers may command higher rents due to the added convenience and value they provide.
Installing EV chargers promotes environmentally friendly practices. Landlords can contribute to reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner transportation alternatives.
What are the negatives to landlords of installing EV chargers?
While installing chargers at properties offers numerous benefits, there are a few potential negatives that landlords should consider.
One of the main factors to keep in mind is the installation and maintenance costs associated with EV chargers. The upfront expenses, including equipment and electrical work, can be significant. Additionally, ongoing maintenance and potential repairs may incur additional costs over time.
Another consideration is the increased demand for charging. If there are too few spaces with many EV owners it can cause disagreements and negativity between tenants. Have a clear EV charging policy in place for your building in order to create a framework for fair usage.
Space limitations can also be a challenge. Installing chargers requires dedicated parking spaces for each charging station. If the property has limited parking availability or all existing spaces are occupied by tenants, it may be difficult to allocate space for EV charging infrastructure without causing inconvenience or dissatisfaction among tenants.
Another factor to consider is the potential strain on the electrical supply. The installation of multiple chargers at a property can increase the demand on the electrical system. Landlords should assess the property’s existing electrical capacity to ensure it can handle the increased load without causing disruptions or requiring costly electrical upgrades.
Are there other grants for landlords?
In addition to the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant, there is another appealing grant that landlords should consider:
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme
This is a government program aimed at reducing carbon emissions and addressing fuel poverty, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
Under the ECO scheme, certain rental properties can qualify for energy improvement funding. This scheme runs until 2026 and covers various improvements to enhance energy efficiency.
These improvements include cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation, loft insulation, electric storage heating, and central heating installations.
Cavity wall insulation grants are available for rental properties heated by electricity, although some properties with gas systems may also be eligible.
Rental properties with solid walls heated by electricity may qualify for internal wall insulation grants.
If a rental property is heated through electricity and has less than 100mm of loft insulation, it may be eligible for a loft insulation grant.
Properties with electric room heaters or no heating systems at all may qualify for a storage heating grant.
The final word on electric car grants for landlords
Electric Car grants present a valuable opportunity for landlords to facilitate electric vehicles and enhance their rental properties.
By installing EV chargers, landlords can attract EV-owning tenants, increase tenant satisfaction, potentially command higher rental premiums, and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions.
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant offer financial support to lower installation costs and encourage the adoption of EV charging infrastructure.
Landlords should carefully consider the specific benefits and challenges associated with installing chargers, such as upfront costs and space limitations. However, by leveraging available grants, landlords can offset expenses, future-proof their properties, and stay ahead of evolving market trends.
Electric Car grants open doors for landlords to play an active role in the transition to cleaner transportation.
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
