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The Workplace Charging Scheme: A Complete Guide for Businesses
Insights & GuidesCommercial Energy

The Workplace Charging Scheme: A Complete Guide for Businesses

The OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme covers 75% of the cost of installing EV chargers at your business premises. This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply and what to expect.

O
Omni3 Team
·April 2026·6 min read

Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating faster than most businesses expected. Fleet electrification mandates, staff expectations and customer amenity considerations are all pushing organisations towards workplace EV charging. The good news is that the government's Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) significantly reduces the upfront cost — and most businesses that want EV chargers are eligible.

What Is the Workplace Charging Scheme?

The Workplace Charging Scheme is administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and provides a voucher-based grant covering 75% of the purchase and installation cost of EV chargepoints, up to a maximum of £350 per socket.

Eligible organisations can apply for up to 40 sockets across all their sites. A business installing five dual-socket chargers (10 sockets total) could attract up to £3,500 in grant funding.

The grant is applied directly to the installation invoice — organisations never pay the full amount and wait for reimbursement. The installer submits the grant application and deducts the approved funding from the final invoice.

Who Is Eligible?

The WCS is open to:

  • Registered UK businesses — any size, any sector
  • Charities registered in the UK
  • Public sector organisations — local authorities, schools, NHS, emergency services
  • Small accommodation businesses — hotels, B&Bs, holiday lets with employees

Sole traders and individuals operating from home do not qualify for the WCS (the residential EVHS scheme is the relevant grant for those in rented accommodation or flats).

What Type of Charger Qualifies?

Grant-funded chargers must meet OZEV's smart charger requirements. In practice this means:

  • The charger must be network-connected
  • It must be capable of remote access and monitoring
  • It must be able to respond to grid demand signals (demand-side response)
  • It must display real-time data via an app or portal

Most commercial chargers from established brands (Pod Point, Hypervolt, OHME, Easee, EO, Rolec) meet these requirements. Three-pin socket outlets and non-networked chargers do not qualify.

Chargers can be 7.4 kW single-phase (typical for employee all-day parking) or 22 kW three-phase (better for high-turnover bays or rapid top-ups). The grant applies to either.

The Application Process

  1. Choose an OZEV-authorised installer. Only businesses using an approved installer can access WCS funding. Omni3 is an OZEV-authorised contractor.
  2. Confirm eligibility. Your installer will confirm that your organisation and site qualify before work begins.
  3. Site survey and design. A site survey determines cable routes, electrical supply capacity, load management requirements and the best charger positions for your operational needs.
  4. Grant application submitted by installer. The installer submits the application to OZEV on your behalf before or at the point of installation.
  5. Installation takes place. Chargers are installed to NICEIC standards with all required electrical certification provided.
  6. Grant deducted from invoice. The approved grant amount is deducted from the final installation invoice. You pay the net cost only.

Combining Workplace EV Charging With Solar

Businesses with commercial rooftop solar can charge their fleet and employee vehicles from their own generation — reducing the running cost of EV charging to near zero during daylight hours.

A 30 kWp commercial solar array on a warehouse roof in Sussex generates approximately 26,000–28,000 kWh per year. Ten employees each charging an EV at 7 kWh per day (daily commute) requires around 17,500 kWh per year. Solar can realistically offset the majority of this during the working day.

Load management is important in multi-charger commercial installations. A dedicated load management system (or smart charger network) ensures charger demand is balanced against available supply capacity and solar generation, preventing costly grid demand peaks and avoiding the need for expensive electrical supply upgrades.

Businesses exploring a combined solar + EV charging installation should look at our Business Energy Resilience package — which covers commercial solar, battery storage, EV charging and smart energy management as an integrated solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can charities and public sector organisations apply for the WCS?

Yes. The Workplace Charging Scheme is open to businesses, charities, public sector organisations (including local authorities, schools, and NHS trusts) and small accommodation businesses. Omni3 works with a range of organisations including schools, councils, housing associations and commercial businesses across the South East.

How many sockets can one organisation claim for?

Eligible organisations can apply for grant funding for up to 40 sockets across all their sites. Each additional site requires a separate application, but the total across all applications is capped at 40 sockets. Most small businesses installing 2–4 dual-socket chargers will be well within the limit.

Can employees use workplace chargers as well as fleet vehicles?

Yes. Workplace chargers funded through the WCS can be used by employees charging personal vehicles, fleet vehicles, or both. There is no requirement that the chargers are reserved exclusively for company vehicles.

What is the difference between a 7.4 kW and a 22 kW charger for workplace use?

A 7.4 kW single-phase charger adds around 25–30 miles of range per hour of charging. This is suitable for most employees who park for 4+ hours during the working day. A 22 kW three-phase charger adds around 75–80 miles per hour and is better suited to high-turnover parking bays, hospitality guests or fleet vehicles that need a rapid top-up. The installation cost of three-phase chargers is higher, but so is the flexibility.

Do I need a specific number of EV spaces or a minimum parking provision?

There is no minimum parking requirement to apply for the WCS. A business with a single off-street parking space could, in principle, apply for one charger. The key requirement is that the charger is installed at the business premises (not a public highway) and is used for business-related purposes.

Can I combine the WCS with a solar panel installation?

Yes. There is no restriction on combining the Workplace Charging Scheme with other government energy schemes. Solar panels, battery storage and EV chargers can all be installed together. The WCS grant applies specifically to the EV charger purchase and installation cost, regardless of what else is installed at the same time.

Install WCS-Funded EV Chargers at Your Business

Omni3 is an OZEV-authorised installer working with businesses, schools, councils and charities across Hampshire, Sussex and the South East.

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