The EV Charger Grant: Free Money You Should Claim

The EV chargepoint grant (formerly the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme or EVHS) is a UK government initiative that contributes towards the cost of installing a home EV charger. It's designed to encourage electric vehicle adoption by reducing the upfront cost of charging infrastructure.

The scheme is administered by OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) and paid directly to your installer — meaning you don't need to claim it back yourself. Your installer applies on your behalf, and the grant amount is deducted from your bill.

Eligibility has changed several times since the scheme launched. As of 2026, the grant is primarily available to:

• Homeowners who own or have leased an eligible electric vehicle
• Flat owners and renters (including those in new build apartments)
• Landlords installing chargers for tenants

The rules around owner-occupiers of houses (as opposed to flats) have changed — check the latest eligibility on GOV.UK before applying. Your OZEV registered installer will know the current rules and can confirm your eligibility during the quote process.

Important: Grant eligibility and amounts change frequently. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK before making decisions based on the grant.

The grant has historically covered up to £350 towards the cost of purchasing and installing a home chargepoint. This is deducted from the total cost, so if your installation costs £1,000, you'd pay £650.

The exact amount and conditions are set by the government and can change at any budget or policy review. Your installer will confirm the current grant value when they provide your quote.

You don't need to do anything complicated. The process works like this:

1. Choose an OZEV registered installer (this is mandatory — only registered installers can apply for the grant)
2. The installer visits your home, surveys the installation, and provides a quote
3. The installer applies for the grant on your behalf using your details
4. Once approved, the grant is deducted from your final bill
5. You pay the remaining balance to the installer

The whole process typically takes 1-2 weeks from survey to installation. The grant application is usually approved within a few days.

Yes — this is one of the main reasons to use an OZEV registered installer. They handle the entire grant application process. You'll need to provide proof of vehicle ownership or lease (your V5C or lease agreement) and proof of residency. Your installer handles everything else.

If an installer asks you to apply for the grant yourself, that's a red flag. The process is designed to go through the installer — they have an online portal with OZEV specifically for this purpose.

In some cases, yes. Local councils and energy companies sometimes run additional EV charger incentive schemes. Your installer may be aware of local schemes that can be stacked with the government grant. It's always worth asking during the quote process.

Some energy tariffs also offer discounted overnight charging rates for EV owners (like Octopus Go or OVO Charge Anytime). While not a grant, these can save you hundreds per year on charging costs and are worth considering alongside your charger installation.