How much is the EV charging grant worth?

From 1 April 2026, the Workplace Charging Scheme provides up to £500 per socket for workplaces, maximum 40 sockets (£20,000 total). Education organisations receive £2,000 per socket. The SME Infrastructure Grant closes 31 March 2026.

Who is eligible for the EV charging grant?

UK businesses, charities, and public sector organisations with dedicated off-street parking. Hotels, golf clubs, wedding venues, schools, and other hospitality businesses qualify.

When does the EV charging grant end?

The Workplace Charging Scheme has been extended to 31 March 2027 with increased rates from April 2026. However, the EV Infrastructure Grant for SMEs, commercial landlord grant, and residential landlord grant all close 31 March 2026.

Can hotel guests use the chargers?

Yes. Hotels have a specific exemption allowing guests to use workplace chargers funded through the WCS grant.

How long does installation take?

Typical installation takes 2-3 weeks from approval. Virevia connects you with OZEV-approved installers who handle the full process.

EV Charging Grants for UK Hospitality

The Short Version

The UK government wants more EV chargers at hotels, B&Bs, golf clubs, and other hospitality venues. To make it happen, they're offering grants that cover up to 75% of installation costs.

Big changes announced 24-25 February 2026: the Workplace Charging Scheme has been extended to 31 March 2027 with a rate increase to £500/socket for workplaces from April. But several other grants close 31 March 2026 — and the government is streamlining from 8 schemes down to 5.

This guide covers what's available, who qualifies, what's changing, and how the numbers work.

Available Grants

Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)

Up to £20,000 (from April 2026)

Extended to 31 March 2027. Rate increases from £350 to £500 per socket for workplaces from 1 April 2026. Maximum 40 sockets per applicant.

Education rate change: Schools, colleges and universities see a decrease from £2,500 to £2,000/socket from 1 April 2026. If you're an education provider, apply before April 1 to lock in the higher rate.

New application portal: From 1 April 2026, all applications move to the "Find a grant" platform. The old OZEV portal closes. Existing vouchers remain valid.

Current rates (until 31 March 2026):

Workplaces: £350/socket (increases to £500 from April)
Education: £2,500/socket (decreases to £2,000 from April)

Who qualifies:

Eligible businesses, charities, and public sector organisations - in practice this covers most independent hospitality venues
Hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks, golf clubs, wedding venues
Must have off-street parking you own or have permission to use
Must use an OZEV-authorised installer

Hotels & Accommodation: Unlike other businesses, hotels and accommodation providers can let guests use the chargers. There's no restriction on who uses them - staff, guests, visitors, anyone.

Source: GOV.UK - Workplace Charging Scheme

EV Infrastructure Grant (for SMEs) CLOSING 31 MARCH 2026

Up to £15,000 per site

Covers 75% of costs: £350 per socket + £500 per parking space for cabling/infrastructure. This grant closes permanently on 31 March 2026 — it will not be part of the streamlined schemes from April.

Who qualifies:

Small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 250 employees
Must be registered at Companies House or VAT registered
Minimum 5 off-street parking spaces
Can claim for up to 5 different sites

Source: GOV.UK - EV Infrastructure Grant

Landlord Grants CLOSING 31 MARCH 2026

Both the Commercial Landlord Chargepoint Grant and Residential Landlord Infrastructure Grant close permanently on 31 March 2026. If you're a landlord looking to install EV chargers for tenants, apply now.

Can you use both? Yes, at the same site - but not for the same chargers, and the Infrastructure Grant closes 31 March 2026. If you want to stack: apply for the Infrastructure Grant now (for cabling and initial chargers), then use WCS for additional chargers (available until March 2027). Claiming both for the same chargepoint is considered fraud.

Scotland: Rural & Island Infrastructure Fund

Up to £60,000+ for rural locations

For businesses in rural/island Scotland (postcode categories 5-8).

Grant amounts:

Up to £15,000 per AC charger (3.7-22kW)
Up to £60,000 per rapid DC charger (125-350kW)
Up to £300,000 with battery storage included

Note: This fund opens and closes periodically. Currently accepting expressions of interest for future rounds.

Source: Energy Saving Trust

What's Changing — February 2026 Announcement

On 24-25 February 2026, the government announced major changes to EV charging grants, effective from 1 April 2026:

Schemes streamlined from 8 to 5. The government is consolidating EV chargepoint grants to simplify the landscape. Three grants close permanently on 31 March 2026.

Continuing (from April 2026)

Workplace Charging Scheme — extended to 31 March 2027, rate increases to £500/socket for workplaces (education decreases to £2,000/socket)
Other retained schemes — details on remaining 4 schemes to be confirmed on the new "Find a grant" platform

Closing 31 March 2026

EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets — no replacement announced
Commercial Landlord Chargepoint Grant — no replacement announced
Residential Landlord Infrastructure Grant — no replacement announced

New Application Portal

From 1 April 2026, all grant applications move to the "Find a grant" platform. The old OZEV portal will close. If you have an existing voucher, it remains valid for 180 days from issue.

What this means for hospitality: If you're a hotel, B&B, golf club or similar venue, the WCS is your main grant — and it just got better (£500/socket from April vs £350 now). But if you were planning to stack WCS with the Infrastructure Grant, you need to get your Infrastructure Grant application in before 31 March 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

Tick the boxes that apply. If you tick all four, you likely qualify for WCS at minimum.

Independent hospitality business Not a large chain. Most hotels, B&Bs, golf clubs qualify under WCS; SMEs under 250 staff also qualify for infrastructure grant

Off-street parking Your own car park, not street parking. Doesn't need to be massive.

You own the property OR have landlord permission Need legal right to install

UK-based England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland (not Channel Islands/Isle of Man)

Grant Calculator

Get a ballpark estimate based on your property. Actual amounts depend on installation specifics.

Property Type

Number of Parking Spaces

Location

Chargers You Want

Estimated Grant Range

£0 - £0

Enter your details above

This is a rough estimate only. Actual grant amounts depend on installation costs, charger types, and specific eligibility. A site survey provides accurate figures.

How It Works

Check eligibility - Use the checklist above or speak to an installer
Get quotes - Must use an OZEV-authorised installer (list here)
Apply for voucher - Installer usually handles this. Via OZEV portal until 31 March 2026; via "Find a grant" platform from 1 April 2026
Installation - Must be completed within 180 days of voucher issue
Grant claimed - Installer claims grant, you pay the remaining balance

Key dates: The Infrastructure Grant, Landlord Grants and old OZEV portal close 31 March 2026. The WCS continues to 31 March 2027 with higher rates from April. Vouchers are valid for 180 days, so if you apply in March, you have until September to install.

Common Questions

Can guests use the chargers?

Yes - if you're a hotel or accommodation business. The scheme specifically allows "no restriction on who may use the parking, be it customers, guests, visitors, staff or others." Other business types are technically limited to staff/fleet use.

Can I charge guests for using them?

Yes. You can offer free charging as a perk, charge at-cost, or run it for profit. Your choice.

What if I don't own the building?

You need landlord permission to install. Get this in writing before applying.

How many chargers should I install?

Rule of thumb: 1 charger per 10 parking spaces is a decent starting point. But it depends on your guest profile and how long they typically stay.

What type of charger?

For overnight stays (hotels, B&Bs), 7kW AC chargers are usually fine - guests charge while sleeping. For shorter visits (golf clubs, day venues), faster 22kW or DC chargers might make more sense.

What happens after March 2026?

The WCS has been extended to March 2027 with better rates for workplaces (£500/socket, up from £350). However, the Infrastructure Grant, commercial landlord grant, and residential landlord grant all close permanently. The government is streamlining from 8 schemes to 5. Applications move to the "Find a grant" platform from April.

Check Your Venue's Eligibility in 2 Minutes

We work with OZEV-certified installers across the UK who handle the grant paperwork, site survey, and installation. One form tells us everything we need — we'll confirm your eligibility within 24 hours. No commitment.

Check My Eligibility — Free

Or email sales@virevia.com — reply to the email that brought you here

Sources & Official Links

GOV.UK - Workplace Charging Scheme - Official grant finder page
GOV.UK - EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets - SME infrastructure funding
GOV.UK - WCS Guidance for Installers - Technical requirements, authorised installer list
GOV.UK - Infrastructure Grant Installer Guidance - Detailed eligibility and process
Energy Saving Trust - Rural & Island Infrastructure Fund - Scotland-specific funding
Transport Scotland - EV Infrastructure Fund - Scottish government programme

Last updated: 25 February 2026, reflecting grant changes announced 24-25 Feb 2026. Grant schemes can change without notice - always verify with official sources before making decisions.