Charge point grant for EV drivers without driveways

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers without off-street parking will be able to access the Government’s charge point grant for the first time.

The Government says the £350 grant, providing a maximum of up to 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing a charge point, will be widened to those who own or rent and have access to adequate street parking.

EV drivers will require permission from their council to install a cross-pavement charging solution, with applications made online.

It is one series of infrastructure announcements made by the Department for Transport (DfT) today (Monday, March 18), which include the confirmation of £185 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding to councils and the launch of a forum for Government and the charging industry.

Technology and decarbonisation minister, Anthony Browne, said: “This Government has a plan to help speed up the installation of EV charge points, which we’re getting on and delivering.”

Payments to 44 further councils have been approved from the £381 million LEVI fund, which will deliver thousands of additional charge points across England (see list below).

“This dedicated funding to local councils is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so,” added Browne.

To help councils deliver the EV infrastructure required, the Government-funded EV infrastructure training course will launch this week following a successful trial.

The course is open to all local authorities and will cover key topics from technology to procurement.

LEVI funding has already helped to place almost 150 dedicated EV officers in councils to support charge point planning and delivery, said the DfT.

Hugh Pickerill, programme manager for EV grants and infrastructure at Energy Saving Trust, said: “It’s great to see this latest round of funding allocated to what will be effective projects to improve EV charging infrastructure across the country. 

“Having begun engagement with the local authorities applying to the next round of applications, we’re keen to start working more closely with them to assist in the development of their applications and to achieve excellence in project standard."

David Watts, fleet product manager for EVs at Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS Fleet), believes that the widening of the grant is a "significant step forward" in making home charging more accessible.

“Typically, EVs have been more attractive to those with the ability to charge at home, who can take advantage of the cost-effective rates offered by off-peak electricity tariffs," he said. "However, the decision to extend the grant will now see home charging made possible for thousands more drivers.

“This is great news for fleets who are looking to transition to EVs.

"After applying for permission from their local authority to install a cross-pavement charging solution, drivers who don’t have access to off-street parking will now be able to apply for funding for home chargepoint installations, so they can top up conveniently and cost-effectively at home.

“This will not only reduce fleet operating costs by decreasing reliance on the public charging network, but it will also reduce the number of times drivers without access to home charging need to stop during the working day to recharge.

“The extension of the grant will undoubtedly support fleets efforts to incentivise driver adoption of EVs to support business sustainability ambitions.”

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum 

Meanwhile, the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum, chaired by ministers and AA president Edmund King, will hold its first meeting discuss how best to tackle barriers and accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure.

Wider membership, says the Government, will be set out in due course.

King said: “I’m proud to be co-chairing the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum as I’m committed to helping consumers transition to zero emission vehicles and an efficient, affordable, accessible charging infrastructure is key to that.

“I’m also confident that the UK’s brilliant charging and automotive industry can deliver and play a key part in the UK’s net zero ambitions.”

He added: “AA surveys show that one of the main reasons why many drivers are hesitant towards switching to EVs is the perception that there are not enough charging points.

“To give confidence to drivers now and for the future, we need to overcome these barriers which will help unlock cleaner, greener motoring for all.

“Extending grants to those without off-street parking is a step in the right direction.”

The DfT announcements come after the latest Fleet Friendly Charging Index, from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), showed that half of local authorities have an EV charging strategy plan in place, up from 37% last year, but the vast majority are failing to talk to fleets about their needs.

Although momentum is growing in the number of local authorities developing EV strategies, a major disconnect remains between those teams and the fleet sector. 

Evidence of fleet engagement has improved year on year to reach 38% of local authorities (up from 34%).

However, when looking at what is considered to be significant engagement with fleets, that figure plummets to just 5%

DfT figures suggest that 56,983 public charge points have now installed across the UK – a 47% increase compared to this time last year.

List of councils approved to receive LEVI funding