Thousands more households and businesses will be able to install electric vehicle chargers at almost half the usual cost, following a major uplift to government grant funding announced today.
From 1 April, renters, flat owners, households without driveways, and businesses will be eligible for grants of up to £500 per charge point – a 43% increase from the previous £350 discount. The enhanced support will cover roughly half the typical installation cost, enabling drivers to power their cars using cheaper domestic electricity rates for as little as 2p per mile.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said the move is designed to make EV ownership accessible to all, not just those with off-street parking, saying: ‘Bigger grants mean families, flat owners, renters and small businesses can now install a charger for almost half the usual cost.’.
The uplift is one of several measures aimed at tackling two of the biggest barriers to EV uptake: upfront costs and charging access. The government is also simplifying its grant offering, reducing eight separate schemes to five to make it easier for consumers and businesses to find the right support.
Schools will benefit from grants of up to £2,000 per socket, building on more than 3,700 charging points already installed at educational sites. The support runs until March 2027.
Last year, a separate £25 million scheme was launched to help residents without driveways install discreet pavement channels for on-street charging, accessed through local authorities. This funding operates alongside the expanded charge point grants.
The government is also investing in public infrastructure, with £600 million committed last year to accelerate the rollout of the national charging network. Councils will receive three years of funding to boost local charging provision, supported by a government-backed advisory service.
The measures form part of the Department for Transport’s ‘Get that electric feeling’ campaign, launched last month to highlight the benefits of going electric.
Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses said: ‘Many small businesses want to switch to electric vehicles, with half of small businesses (51%) saying that more charging infrastructure would incentivise them to make the switch.
‘Small firms want to cut their emissions and reduce their fuel bills and removing or lowering the barriers which currently tip the scales against electric vehicle adoption can only be a good thing – for small businesses, for the economy, and for the planet.’
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: ‘Almost nine in ten landlords with a suitable property would install EV charge points if a tenant asks them to undertake this work.
‘Given the extent of landlords’ willingness to provide them, we welcome the Government’s plans to encourage more widespread installation of these points across the sector.
‘We urge landlords to make best use of the grants now available where it is feasible for them to do so.’
Photo: JUICE
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