EV charging grants for business (2026)
The live UK grants for commercial EV charging, the tax relief that covers the rest, and — importantly — the schemes that closed in 2026 so you don't chase a dead grant.
The EV-charging grant landscape changed materially on 1 April 2026, and most published guidance — including many installer websites — is now out of date. The single most common error is quoting the old £350 per socket Workplace Charging Scheme rate; it rose to £500 per socket for installations completed on or after 1 April 2026. Several other schemes closed entirely. Every figure on this page is dated "as at July 2026" and linked to its primary gov.uk source.
For a typical business, the route is straightforward: use the Workplace Charging Scheme for staff and fleet parking, add the Depot Charging Scheme if you run vans, HGVs or coaches from a depot, and claim the 100% First-Year Allowance on whatever the grant doesn't cover. The grant and the tax relief stack — the grant reduces the purchase cost, and the first-year allowance is claimed against the remaining qualifying expenditure (your accountant confirms the net figure). Both the WCS and the FYA extension run only to 31 March 2027, which is a genuine, dated reason to act this year.
Live grants you can claim now
Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
Businesses, charities and public-sector organisations with dedicated off-street parking, using an OZEV-authorised installer. THE live grant to pursue for staff/fleet workplace charging. Claimed via a voucher code (work completed within 180 days). As at July 2026.
- Value
- Up to £500 per socket (raised from £350 on 1 April 2026), covering 75% of the total purchase + installation cost inc. VAT, capped at 40 sockets across all your sites. Scheme runs to 31 March 2027.
Workplace Charging Scheme — education rate
State-funded education institutions (schools, colleges). A separate, more generous WCS rate. As at July 2026.
- Value
- Up to £2,000 per socket for new applicants (£2,500 for existing voucher holders), up to 40 sockets.
Depot Charging Scheme (DCS)
Businesses charging zero-emission vans, HGVs and coaches at a depot. A £170m programme to 2030, application windows (Window 1: 25 March-30 June 2026; Window 2: 28 October 2026-29 January 2027). As at July 2026.
- Value
- 70% of chargepoint + civils cost, up to £1,000,000 per applicant.
Residential Landlord Chargepoint Grant
Residential and social-housing landlords only (NOT commercial/workplace parking). Included for completeness. As at July 2026.
- Value
- Up to £500 per socket (raised from £350 on 1 April 2026), up to 200 sockets.
Scotland — business chargepoint funding (Energy Saving Trust)
Microbusinesses (<=9 FTE) and third-sector bodies in a Scottish island or Category 5-8 rural postcode, for private staff/fleet charging. Runs alongside the UK-wide WCS. As at July 2026.
- Value
- Up to 100% of purchase + installation cost, up to £5,000.
The 100% First-Year Allowance (the tax route)
Where a grant doesn't apply — destination charging, a non-eligible site, or spend beyond the grant caps — the 100% First-Year Allowance still lets a business write the full cost of EV chargepoint plant and machinery off against taxable profits in the year of purchase. Extended at Autumn Budget 2025, it runs to 31 March 2027 for companies (Corporation Tax) and 5 April 2027 for unincorporated businesses (Income Tax). Where the FYA is unavailable, the Annual Investment Allowance gives the same 100% relief up to £1m. Always take your own tax advice.
Schemes that closed in 2026 (do not rely on these)
These are still advertised across the web but are no longer open. If a competitor is quoting them, their information is out of date.
EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets — CLOSED
CLOSED. Customer applications ended 31 March 2026; installer claims ended 26 May 2026. Do NOT apply — this SME grant was NOT replaced. Businesses are now directed to the WCS. Listed only so you don't chase a dead scheme still advertised across the web.
Commercial Landlord Chargepoint Grant — CLOSED
CLOSED to installer claims on 26 May 2026. No longer a route for commercial landlords / business property owners — fund commercial-estate charging via the WCS (where staff use the bays) or capex + the 100% First-Year Allowance instead.