March 31 Deadline: Your Last Chance for £14K EV Grants

What Is Happening on March 31

The UK government's Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) will close for new applications on March 31, 2026. This is a permanent closure. The scheme is not being extended, paused, or replaced with a successor programme.

Since its launch, the WCS has provided businesses with grants covering 75% of EV charger installation costs, up to £350 per socket and £14,000 per applicant. Once the deadline passes, that funding disappears entirely.

What This Means for Your Business

The difference between acting before and after March 31 is significant. For a standard installation of 40 charging sockets:

Before March 31

£4,700

Your cost after £14,000 grant
Government covers 75%

After March 31

£18,700

Full cost, no grant available
You pay 100%

That is £14,000 left on the table.

Even for smaller installations, the numbers add up quickly. Ten sockets saves you £3,500. Twenty sockets saves £7,000. The grant covers charger hardware, installation labour, cabling, and any necessary electrical upgrades.

Why You Need to Act Now — Not Next Week

Five weeks might sound like plenty of time. It is not. Here is why:

            The Clock Is Tighter Than You Think
            Installer capacity is limited. Every business in the UK is hearing about this deadline. Approved installers are booking up fast. Waiting even one week could mean the difference between getting installed or missing out.
OZEV approval takes time. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles needs to review and approve your application. This is not instant.
You need an electrical survey first. Before any installer can quote you accurately, they need to assess your site's electrical capacity. This is a physical visit.
The full timeline is 2-3 weeks minimum: Eligibility check, site survey, quote, application submission, OZEV approval, and installation. Every day you wait compresses this timeline.

        

Your 5-Week Countdown Plan

Here is what the timeline looks like if you start today:

Week 1 — Feb 24

Check Eligibility + Get Quotes

Confirm your business qualifies for the WCS. Request site surveys and quotes from OZEV-approved installers. Compare at least two options.

Week 2 — Mar 3

Choose Installer + Submit Application

Select your installer, finalise the specification, and submit your WCS application to OZEV. Your installer should handle the paperwork.

Week 3 — Mar 10

OZEV Approval

OZEV reviews your application. Typical turnaround is 5-10 working days. This is the step you cannot control, which is why starting early matters.

Weeks 4-5 — Mar 17-31

Installation

Your approved installer completes the work. Chargers go live. The grant is applied directly to your invoice — you only pay the remaining 25%.

Notice there is no slack in that timeline. If you delay the eligibility check by even a week, you risk the installation not completing before the deadline. And once March 31 passes, the grant is gone permanently.

What You Need to Qualify

The WCS eligibility requirements are straightforward:

You are a UK-registered business, charity, or public authority
You have dedicated off-street parking (your own car park, not public road)
You use an OZEV-approved installer
Chargers must be for staff and/or fleet vehicles (hotels can also offer guest charging)

Most UK businesses with a car park qualify. The main reasons people miss out are not ineligibility — it is simply not applying in time.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check Today

Find out in under 2 minutes if your business qualifies. We will connect you with an OZEV-approved installer and help you beat the March 31 deadline.

Check Eligibility Now →