Workplace Charging Scheme 2026: Get £500 Per Socket
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) remains one of the most straightforward government grants available to UK businesses in 2026. Offering up to £500 per charging socket and covering up to 40 sockets per applicant, the scheme provides meaningful financial support for businesses looking to install commercial EV charging infrastructure. With the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales fast approaching, now is the time to act.
This guide covers everything Essex businesses need to know about the Workplace Charging Scheme in 2026: the April 2026 grant increase, the EV Infrastructure Grant, the Electrifying Essex programme, eligibility, how to apply, and how to combine EV charging with solar panels for maximum savings.
2026 Grant Summary for Essex Businesses
April 2026 Grant Increase: What's Changing
From 1 April 2026, the Workplace Charging Scheme grant increases from £350 to £500 per chargepoint socket — a 43% increase. The scheme has been extended for a final year to 31 March 2027. The maximum remains 40 sockets per applicant (up to 75% of costs). This means a business installing 40 sockets could receive up to £20,000 in grant funding. The Commercial Landlord EV Chargepoint Grant closed permanently on 31 March 2026 and is no longer available.
Electrifying Essex: £8.3 Million LEVI Programme
Essex County Council secured an £8.3 million allocation from the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund — the second-largest LEVI allocation to any UK council. The "Electrifying Essex" programme aims to install 5,000 public EV chargers across Essex by 2031, focusing on on-street residential and public charging points. Essex businesses should note that this programme covers public charging infrastructure, not workplace chargers. The separate national WCS and EV Infrastructure Grant schemes are the routes for workplace charging investment.
What Is the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The Workplace Charging Scheme is a government voucher-based programme administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). It provides financial support for the upfront costs of purchasing and installing electric vehicle charge points at business premises. The scheme was introduced to accelerate the rollout of workplace charging, which is recognised as a critical piece of the UK's EV charging infrastructure alongside home and public charging networks.
The scheme covers the cost of the charge point hardware, installation labour, wiring, and any necessary electrical upgrades (up to the £500 cap per socket). It does not cover civil works such as groundwork, trenching for cable routes longer than standard, or structural modifications to car parks.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Workplace Charging Scheme, your organisation must meet the following criteria:
- Business type: You must be a registered UK business, charity or public sector organisation. Sole traders and individuals are not eligible; they may qualify for the separate EV Chargepoint Grant instead.
- Parking provision: You must have dedicated off-street parking at the property where the charge points will be installed. On-street installations are not covered.
- Property type: The installation can be at any non-domestic property you own, lease or manage, including offices, factories, warehouses, retail premises, hotels and car parks.
- Charge point specification: The charge points must be at least 7kW, smart-enabled (allowing remote access and data reporting), and listed on the OZEV-approved products list.
- Installer requirements: Installation must be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer. EC Eco Energy is an approved installer for the Workplace Charging Scheme.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
The application process is designed to be straightforward. Here is how it works:
- Get a quote from an OZEV-approved installer. Before applying, you need a quote detailing the charge points to be installed, the number of sockets and the total cost. We provide free quotes including a site survey to assess your electrical capacity and parking layout.
- Apply online through the OZEV portal. You will need your Companies House registration number (or charity number), details of the installation site, the quote from your approved installer, and confirmation of your parking arrangement.
- Receive your voucher. OZEV typically issues vouchers within 2-4 weeks of application. Each voucher specifies the number of sockets approved and the total grant value.
- Complete the installation. Your approved installer carries out the work. The installation must be completed within 180 days of voucher issue.
- Claim the grant. Your installer submits the claim on your behalf, providing evidence of completion including photographs and electrical certificates. The grant is paid directly to the installer, reducing your final invoice.
Choosing the Right Charge Points
The type of charge points you install should reflect your business needs and the usage patterns you anticipate:
7kW AC Charge Points
The most common choice for workplace charging. A 7kW charger adds approximately 25-30 miles of range per hour, making it ideal for employees who park for a full working day. A typical EV will fully charge from empty in 6-8 hours. These are the most cost-effective option, with installed costs (before the WCS grant) typically ranging from £800 to £1,500 per socket.
22kW AC Charge Points
Three times faster than 7kW chargers, 22kW units suit workplaces where vehicles park for shorter periods or where you want to maximise the number of vehicles charged per day. They cost more per unit (£1,200-£2,500 installed) and require a three-phase electricity supply, which is standard in most commercial premises.
Rapid DC Chargers (50kW+)
Best suited to car parks and fleet operations where vehicles need fast turnaround. A 50kW DC charger can add 100+ miles of range in 30 minutes. However, they cost significantly more (£15,000-£40,000 installed), and the £500 WCS grant covers a much smaller proportion of the total cost. They also require substantial electrical capacity.
Powering EV Chargers with Solar
One of the smartest strategies for businesses installing EV chargers is to power them with on-site solar generation. This approach offers multiple benefits:
- Reduced electricity costs: Solar-generated electricity costs approximately 4-5p per kWh compared to 25-35p from the grid. Charging an EV from solar costs roughly £2-3 versus £10-15 from the grid for a typical full charge.
- Increased solar self-consumption: EV charging during working hours aligns perfectly with solar generation peaks, maximising the value of your solar investment.
- Employee benefit: Offering free or subsidised EV charging powered by solar is an attractive perk that costs the business very little.
- Carbon reduction: Solar-powered EV charging means genuinely zero-emission driving, strengthening your sustainability credentials.
A 30kWp solar array can generate enough electricity to fully charge 8-10 EVs per day during summer months, making it a perfect complement to a workplace charging installation.
Electrical Capacity Considerations
One of the most common challenges with workplace EV charger installation is electrical capacity. Each 7kW charger draws approximately 32 amps, and installing multiple chargers can quickly exceed the available capacity on your building's electrical supply. Options for managing this include:
- Load management: Smart charge points can share available capacity dynamically, ensuring total demand stays within your supply limits.
- Supply upgrade: If your current supply is insufficient, your DNO can upgrade it, though this involves cost and lead time.
- Battery buffering: A battery storage system can supplement the grid supply during peak charging periods, avoiding costly supply upgrades.
- Solar integration: On-site solar generation offsets grid demand, effectively increasing your available capacity for EV charging.
Act Before the Budget Runs Out
The Workplace Charging Scheme has a finite budget, and demand continues to grow as more businesses transition their fleets and employee vehicles to electric. While the scheme has been extended multiple times, there is no guarantee it will continue indefinitely. Businesses that act now benefit from the current grant levels and avoid the risk of scheme closure or reduced funding.
EC Eco Energy is an OZEV-approved installer serving businesses across Essex and East London. We handle the entire process from site survey and system design through to grant application, installation and commissioning. Contact us for a free consultation and quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Workplace Charging Scheme provides a voucher worth up to £500 per socket, with a maximum of 40 sockets per applicant. This means a single business could receive up to £20,000 towards the cost of installing EV charging points. The grant covers the purchase and installation of the charge points.
The scheme is open to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations registered in the UK. Sole traders and domestic properties are not eligible. The applicant must have dedicated off-street parking at the installation location. The charge points must be new, smart-enabled and at least 7kW. Leased properties are eligible with the landlord's permission.
Yes, and it is an excellent strategy. While the WCS grant specifically covers the charge point hardware and installation, powering your EV chargers from on-site solar panels dramatically reduces the electricity cost of charging. This combination allows you to offer free or low-cost charging to employees and visitors while keeping your operating costs minimal.
The online application takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Once submitted, vouchers are typically issued within 2-4 weeks. The voucher is valid for 180 days from issue, during which time the installation must be completed and the claim submitted. Your OZEV-approved installer can guide you through the process.
Qualifying charge points must be at least 7kW, have smart functionality allowing remote access and scheduled charging, be on the OZEV-approved list, and be installed by an OZEV-approved installer. Both AC (7kW-22kW) and DC rapid chargers qualify, though the grant cap of £500 per socket means it proportionally covers more of a 7kW unit's cost.