OZEV grant for home chargers

The OZEV grant (formally the EV chargepoint grant, previously known as EVHS) helps cover the cost of installing a home EV charger. The scheme has changed significantly since it launched, and the rules around who qualifies catch a lot of people out. Here’s how it stands now.

The headline change

In March 2022, the government closed the grant to homeowners who own their property outright and have dedicated off-street parking. This was the group most people assumed would qualify, and it caused a lot of frustration.

The reasoning was that homeowners with driveways are the “easiest” group to serve. They don’t face the same barriers as flat dwellers or renters. The grant money was redirected towards groups who find it harder to get a charger installed.

Who qualifies now

The grant is still available (confirmed until 31 March 2026), but only for specific groups:

Renters: If you rent your home (whether it’s a house or a flat) and have off-street parking, you can apply. You’ll need written permission from your landlord before installation.

Flat owners (leaseholders): If you own a flat in a building with off-street parking, you qualify. This applies whether the parking is dedicated or shared communal parking. The charger can be installed in your allocated space or in a common area with permission from the building management.

Households with on-street parking: If you own or rent a property but have no private off-street parking (no driveway, garage or residential car park), you can apply for a grant towards a chargepoint with a cross-pavement charging solution such as a cable channel. This is a newer addition to the scheme and helps those who would otherwise have no safe way to charge at home.

Landlords: If you own a rental property, you can apply for the grant to install a charger for your tenants. You can claim for up to 200 grant-funded chargepoints across all your properties.

Homeowners who own their freehold house with private off-street parking do not qualify. There’s no workaround for this.

How much you get

The grant covers up to 75% of the total installation cost, capped at £350 per chargepoint. You can claim for one chargepoint per eligible property.

Given that a typical home charger installation costs £600-1,400 total, the grant knocks a useful chunk off the bill. It won’t cover half the cost for most installations, but £350 is £350.

For landlords, the cap is £350 per socket (up to two sockets per property), plus a separate infrastructure grant of up to £30,000 per building for the electrical work needed to support multiple chargepoints.

The application process

In most cases, you don’t need to apply yourself. Your charger installer handles the paperwork.

Here’s the typical process:

1. Choose an OZEV-approved installer: The installer must be authorised to process grant applications. Most major installers are. Check the OZEV approved installer list on the government website. If you haven’t decided on a charger yet, our compatible chargers guide covers the main options.

2. Get a quote: The installer provides a quote for the full installation. The quote will show the grant amount deducted from your total.

3. Provide documentation: You’ll need to supply proof of eligibility. For renters, this means your tenancy agreement and written landlord permission. For flat owners, proof of ownership (leasehold) and any required permissions from the freeholder or management company.

4. Installation: The installer carries out the work, usually in 2-4 hours.

5. Grant claim: The installer submits the grant claim to OZEV on your behalf. The grant amount is deducted from your invoice, so you only pay the net cost. You never see the grant money directly.

The whole process usually takes 2-4 weeks from initial enquiry to installation, though it can vary depending on installer availability and how quickly you gather the documentation.

Documentation you’ll need

Depending on your situation, be ready with:

• Proof of vehicle: Registration document (V5C) for a qualifying electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, or a valid order confirmation if you’re waiting for delivery
• Proof of property type: Leasehold documentation, tenancy agreement or landlord confirmation
• Permission letter: From your landlord (renters) or freeholder/management company (flat owners)
• Highways authority consent: For on-street parking applicants, you’ll need permission from your local highways authority for the cross-pavement solution
• Photos: Some installers ask for photos of your parking space and consumer unit during the initial assessment

Common reasons applications get rejected

Not an eligible property type: Freehold homeowners with driveways are the most common rejected group. The grant simply doesn’t cover this situation.

No qualifying vehicle: You need to own or have ordered a battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Standard hybrids don’t count. The vehicle must be registered to the grant applicant or a member of their household.

Missing permissions: Renters who haven’t secured written landlord consent. Flat owners who haven’t got building management approval for the installation location.

Non-approved installer: Using an installer who isn’t on the OZEV approved list. The grant cannot be applied retrospectively if you’ve already had the work done by an unapproved installer.

Already claimed: One grant per property. If a previous tenant or owner claimed the grant at your address, it’s not available again.

Will the grant be extended?

The current scheme for renters, flat owners, on-street parking households and landlords has been confirmed until 31 March 2026. The government has said it will aim to provide at least four weeks’ notice if the grant ends or the amount changes.

There’s no indication that the homeowner grant will be reopened. The government’s target of phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales means charging infrastructure remains a policy priority, but the focus continues to be on groups with the biggest barriers to installing home chargers.

Alternative grants and schemes

If you don’t qualify for the OZEV grant, there are other options worth exploring:

Local council grants: Some local authorities offer their own EV charging grants or subsidised installation schemes. These vary hugely by area. Check your council’s website or contact their transport/environment team.

Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS): For businesses, not individuals. If you run a business, you can get up to £350 per socket (up to 40 sockets) to install chargers at your workplace. There’s also a separate WCS for state-funded education institutions. Sole traders working from home can sometimes qualify.

EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets: Covers up to 75% of the cost of wider electrical infrastructure work (up to £15,000) needed to support workplace chargepoint installations.

Energy supplier offers: Some energy companies, including Octopus, occasionally offer discounted charger installations as part of tariff sign-up deals. Check the latest offers on their websites.

Salary sacrifice schemes: Some employers offer EV charger installation through salary sacrifice, reducing the effective cost through tax savings. Ask your HR department.

Even without any grant, home charging remains significantly cheaper than public charging over the long term. At Intelligent Go rates, the wallbox typically pays for itself within one to two years through lower charging costs. Our home charging basics guide walks through the full setup process, including single phase vs three phase considerations for your installation.