Are you thinking about applying for an Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) grant? This guide has everything you need to know about the grants currently available. We look at the grant options, what changes were made during the 2022 update, along with a dive into the eligibility and how you can apply.
What are the OZEV grant changes?
On March 31st 2022 OZEV scraped the £350 Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme and replaced it with the EV chargepoint grant. Homeowners are no longer able to apply for a grant but if you live in rented accommodation, own a flat, or are a landlord or a business owner then you are still eligible to apply.
OZEV grant changes 2022
The changes implemented by the government on 31st March 2022 affected both individual EV owners and businesses. The government scrapped the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) in its current form and introduced the new EV chargepoint grant for a specific set of people.
Before 1st April 2022 homeowners could receive an OZEV Grant for the installation of a home charging point to the sum of £350, the new changes meant that this was no longer an option unless you fall into one of the following categories:
- Flat owners
- Live in any type of rented accommodation
- Landlords
- Businesses
OZEV grant for flat owners and renters
If you live in a flat (either owned or rented) or you rent any other kind of residential property then you may be eligible for the Electric vehicle chargepoint household grant. We have a complete guide explaining all the options for charging your EV if you live in a flat.
The grant offers up to 75% off the EV charger installation cost and the cost of the unit. No more than £350 can be claimed for each installation.
Can I get an OZEV EV grant twice?
It is not possible to get an EV grant twice, even if you have two electric cars registered at your address you will only be able to claim the EV chargepoint grant once. The purpose of the grant is to provide support in the adoption of electric vehicles by reducing their initial cost, but it is limited to one grant per eligible vehicle.
OZEV grant for landlords
Landlords are able to apply for two types of landlord grants, one for the chargepoint and another for the infrastructure. Let’s look at both in more detail:
The EV Chargepoint grant for landlords
This grant works similarly to the OZEV grant for flats and renters in that the total you can claim is 75% off the price of a charged unit and installation (capped at £350).
Landlords can claim for multiple properties, up to 200 residential properties per year and up to 100 commercial properties. The type of property must be either a flat, house, apartment block or commercial property.
Eligible landlords as defined by OZEV are buy-to-lets, right-to-manage companies, freeholders, social housing providers, property factors & charities.
Whatever type of landlord you are you will need to be registered in the UK to apply. The property cannot be used as a holiday rental and you cannot apply for the grant if you live at the property.
Parking should be off-street and within easy access for your tenant.
The EV Infrastructure grant for landlords
The infrastructure grant can be used for general building and infrastructure work that is required to install multiple chargers.
This grant also provides a 75% discount however the total spend cap is a lot higher than the chargepoint grant, and landlords can claim up to £30,000. Landlords can claim up to 30 different infrastructure grants each year provided they are used on separate properties.
The eligibility for the infrastructure grant is the same as the chargepoint grant with several additional requirements. Landlords will not be able to use the infrastructure grant on single homes, it should be used on properties with multiple homes such as a block of flats or a retail park with shared car parking spaces.
The requirements for installation under the infrastructure grant state that you must install at least one charger per grant and that you prepare a minimum of five parking spaces ready to have a charger installed at a later date.
How do I apply for the OZEV EV chargepoint grant for landlords?
Unlike the flat and renter grant, landlords are required to apply directly to OZEV for this grant. Landlords will need to create a chargepoint grant landlord account to apply.
You will need the following details to hand at the time of application:
- Business contact details
- Company registration details
- Details of the installation company you have agreed to work with (they must be OZEV approved and provide an installer number)
- The exact number of spaces the grant will cover
As you are required to provide the name of the installation company at the time of application, you will need to reach out to an installer and agree on the scope of the EV charger installation work before applying for a grant. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for the grant and Select an OZEV-approved installer.
After submitting the application, you will need to wait for the review and approval process. OZEV will assess your application and determine if it meets the grant program’s requirements. If your application is approved, you will receive confirmation from OZEV. At this stage, you can proceed with the installation of the EV charging infrastructure by working with the approved installer you selected.
What are the new OZEV grant rules for businesses and workplaces?
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WSC) is an incentive for businesses to provide their staff with EV chargers at their place of work. The scheme will fund up to 75% of the cost of the installation and the charging unit, and the maximum grant available is capped at £350.
Who is eligible for the Workplace Charge Scheme?
Any UK-registered business of any size can apply for the grant. In order to install an EV charger at business premises the company must provide dedicated off-street parking for staff and have written approval from the landowner (if you are a leaseholder).
The business must also declare they require fleet EV charging equipment or they are using the scheme to encourage workers to use electric cars.
How do I apply to the Workplace Charge Scheme?
You will need to complete the workplace charging scheme online application form.
Once you have been approved you will be provided with a digital voucher, which is valid for up to 6 months. Provide your OZEV-approved installer with the voucher during the quotation stage and they should discount the final bill with the amount shown on the voucher.
If you want to read more about the Workplace Charge Scheme we have all the information you need in our complete guide to the workplace charging scheme.
Can I get an OZEV grant for a holiday let?
Yes, you can get an OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant for a holiday let. As of the new workplace charging scheme changes implemented in April 2022, businesses such as holiday lets or bed and breakfasts now qualify for an OZEV grant. This means that if you own or operate a holiday let property and plan to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, you may be eligible to receive an OZEV grant to support the installation.
Can I get an OZEV grant for a hotel?
Yes, you can get an OZEV grant for a hotel. The workplace charging scheme now includes small accommodation businesses, such as hotels, holiday parks, and campsites. This means that if you own or operate a hotel and plan to install an electric car charger, you may be eligible to receive an OZEV grant to support the installation.
You can check your eligibility on the official Workplace Charging Scheme guidance for charities and small accommodation businesses webpage. This resource will provide you with specific guidelines, eligibility criteria, and any other relevant information you need to know about applying for the OZEV grant.
By taking advantage of the OZEV grant, you can improve your hotel’s amenities by offering EV charging options to your guests.
What is the OZEV grant end date?
The OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme ended on 31st March 2022, however, the grant was replaced by the EV Chargepoint grant and this is expected to run indefinitely while the Government continues to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles.
Do all vehicles qualify for the OZEV grant?
Not all vehicles qualify for the OZEV grant. Only vehicles that have been approved as ultra-low emission vehicles by OZEV are eligible for OZEV residential chargepoint grants. An ultra-low emission vehicle refers to a vehicle that emits very low levels of pollutants, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), compared to traditional petrol vehicles.
OZEV has published a list of eligible vehicles online that you can reference to ensure that your vehicle qualifies before you apply for a grant. The criteria for ultra-low emission vehicle approval and the specific requirements for the OZEV grant programs may change over time, the accurate and up-to-date information on eligible vehicles will always be on the OZEV website, so double check the official OZEV website before you apply.
The final word on the 2022 OZEV grant changes
The 2022 changes to the OZEV grant introduced some big adjustments to the grants on offer in the UK. The most significant change was removing the £350 EVHS grant for homeowners. However, despite this change, there are still grants available for some people.
The EV Chargepoint grant remains available and continues to provide support to a wide range of individuals, including flat owners, renters, and landlords. These groups of people can still benefit from a grant of up to £350 towards the installation of an electric car charger.
The Workplace Charge Scheme (WCS) has been expanded to provide additional beneficiaries. Business owners now have the opportunity to receive £350 in funding towards the cost of supplying workplace charge points to their staff. The scope of the WCS has also been broadened to include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small accommodation providers.
As the government remains committed to achieving its net-zero targets, it is likely that we will witness further changes to the existing grant schemes in the years to come.
It is crucial for EV owners and businesses to stay updated on the latest developments by referring to official OZEV resources.
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.
