Can You Get an EV Charger Grant? The Eligibility Checklist

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) still pays £500 per socket towards EV charger installation — raised from £350 on 1 April 2026 and funded to 31 March 2027. But the days of every homeowner qualifying ended in 2022, and the current rules catch people out constantly: eligibility now depends on who you are (renter, flat-owner, landlord, employer) and what parking you have.

Tick through the checklist below. If any of the first five apply to you — and you clear the two conditions at the end — there's a strong chance a grant covers part of your install.

Step 1: which of these describes you?

• I rent my home (any residential property — house or flat). You're covered by the EV chargepoint grant: £500 per socket, one socket per applicant, covering 75% of supply and install cost.
• I own and live in a flat or maisonette. Also covered by the chargepoint grant on the same terms — £500 per socket, one per applicant.
• I'm a residential landlord. The landlord scheme pays £500 per socket on up to 200 sockets across your portfolio — each property needs its own dedicated off-street parking. Useful future-proofing for rental stock.
• I run a business, charity or public-sector organisation. The Workplace Charging Scheme pays £500 per socket on up to 40 sockets per applicant, for premises with dedicated staff or fleet parking. See our employer guide for the application walkthrough.
• I own a holiday let. Honest answer: commercial holiday lets generally don't qualify under any of the three schemes — but the install is a fully deductible business expense against let income, and it earns its keep through bookings. See our holiday-let EV charger page.
• I own and live in a standard house with a driveway. Sorry — you're the one group with no grant. The universal homeowner scheme (EVHS) closed in April 2022. Budget the full install cost: typically £800–£1,200 for a 7kW smart charger (see the cost guide).

Step 2: the two conditions everyone must clear

• I have private off-street or allocated parking. This is non-negotiable for every scheme — a driveway, garage, or a parking space allocated to your property. On-street parking rules the grants out (though cross-pavement solutions may still get you charging; ask in the form below).
• I'll use an OZEV-approved installer and wait for approval before installing. Only OZEV-authorised installers can claim; they apply on your behalf and OZEV must approve before installation starts (typically 5–15 working days). Install early and the grant is forfeit. Every installer we match is OZEV-approved.

Ticked a scheme box plus both conditions?

You're very likely eligible. The grant is deducted straight off your installer's invoice — you never handle the money — and typical net cost for a grant-funded 7kW install in Cornwall is £300–£700. Full scheme detail is on our OZEV grant page; full pricing is in the Cornwall cost guide.

Not eligible? It's still worth pricing up

A 7kW home charger on a smart overnight tariff costs roughly £8–£10 for a full charge versus £25–£40 at a public rapid — the install pays for itself in 12–24 months for most drivers, grant or no grant. And employers: even if you personally miss out at home, your workplace may claim up to 40 sockets under the Workplace Charging Scheme — worth forwarding to whoever manages the car park.

Want the deeper background on the schemes — how the claim actually flows, what gets applications rejected, the landlord portfolio rules? Read the full guide: The OZEV grant in 2026, explained.