The UK is seeing a growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. Since 2012, the EV stock in the country is doubling year on year. The UK government is also making EV development a priority. It announced the introduction of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill to set requirements for the provision of charging points. In the Autumn 2017 Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer pledged over £500m to fund the charging network and provide grants for plug-in-hybrids. Now you are able to take advantage of this development. In certain circumstances, if you’re a landlord, live in a rented property or, are looking to install an electric vehicle charging point at your place of work, you could qualify for a grant towards the supply and installation of the equipment. This grant could be worth £350 towards the overall cost so it’s well worth seeing if you qualify.

Charging your Electric Vehicle

Around 40 manufacturers provide charging units suitable for charging your electric vehicle at home or work. Typically, the units are wall mounted, and available either with a tethered Type 1 or Type 2 cable, which can be plugged straight into the car, or with a Type 2 socket for use with the vehicle’s charging cable.

Most suppliers also provide two power rating options: 3KW or 7KW. Expect to pay more for the 7KW option which reduces charge time significantly if the car has a fast on board charger. For example, a Nissan Leaf on a 3KW home charge unit will provide a full charge in around 12-13 hours from flat, whereas a 7KW unit will give a full charge in around six hours.

The Government grant scheme changed in April 2022, only landlords, those living in flats or apartments, small businesses and employers looking to install charge points at their place of work can now claim. These grants, especially for employers, can be substantial, if you’re a forward thinking employer, it may be worth taking a closer look.

It is worth noting however, these grants will only be available for those that have the unit fully installed by an OZEV accredited installer. Other regulations that apply include the requirement for charge points to be smart, these types of chargepoint are able to be remotely accessed and capable of receiving, interpreting, and reacting to a signal.

The charge point must be installed by an OZEV authorised installer. Choosing a supplier that is not on the approved list will mean incurring the full cost of the unit and installation. Finally, the date of  installation must not be more than four months ahead of the date of delivery of start date of vehicle.

The easiest way to find out if you qualify for a grant contribution is to click the link below and answer a few simple questions. ElectriciansOnCall are fully trained, and qualified to supply and install market leading charge points, as well as being fully registered with OZEV under the grant scheme.

ElectriciansOncall are proud to be approved installers for the following brands: