UK businesses, charities and public sector organisations have received almost £34 million in government grants to install workplace electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure since 2016, according to new analysis. The findings also highlight that one of the country’s main support schemes will end in March 2027, leaving businesses with limited time to take advantage of the funding.
The figures, compiled by commercial van rental company Dawsongroup vans using Department for Transport data, show that organisations have claimed a total of £33.9 million through two Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) grant programmes.
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), which helps cover the purchase and installation of charge point sockets, has provided grants worth £25.6 million, supporting the installation of 69,439 charging sockets across the UK.
A separate programme, the EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets, has awarded £8.3 million for enabling works such as electrical upgrades and cabling. The scheme has funded infrastructure for 6,199 charging socket units, helping organisations prepare their sites for future EV expansion.
Recent data suggests interest in workplace charging is increasing again after a period of decline. Annual redemptions of Workplace Charging Scheme vouchers reached a high of 13,293 in 2022 before falling to 6,634 in 2024. The trend reversed in 2025, with businesses redeeming 7,506 vouchers, marking a 13.14 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
Sarah Gray, Head of Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy and Development at Dawsongroup vans, said many fleet operators are now making workplace charging a central part of their transition to electric vehicles.
She said businesses are working backwards from their electrification goals and recognising that reliable on-site charging is essential. Gray added that the rise in applications during 2025 was an encouraging sign but warned that companies that have not yet applied are running short of time before the scheme closes.
The infrastructure grant, available only to businesses employing fewer than 250 people, experienced its strongest growth in 2023. Installations of charging infrastructure units increased from 809 in 2022 to 1,909 in 2023 before easing to 1,547 in 2025.
Gray said businesses that benefited most in 2023 were those that had already included electrification in their long-term plans and invested early in preparing their electrical systems.
Regional figures reveal significant differences across the UK. The South East recorded the highest number of Workplace Charging Scheme installations with 10,130 charging sockets, followed by the North West with 8,401 and the East of England with 8,124. Wales recorded 2,642 sockets, while Northern Ireland had the fewest at 1,144. For infrastructure units, the East of England led with 908 installations.
The Workplace Charging Scheme will remain open until 31 March 2027, with no further extension currently planned. Since April 2026, applicants have been able to claim up to £500 per charging socket for a maximum of 40 sockets, allowing organisations to receive grants of up to £20,000.
Gray said a business installing ten charge points could recover as much as £5,000 under the current funding rules, urging companies planning to electrify their fleets to apply before the programme reaches its confirmed closing date.
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