Workplace Charging Scheme is a UK government grant programme that helps eligible organisations reduce the upfront cost of installing EV chargepoints at workplace sites. It is designed to support the rollout of workplace EV charging by contributing towards the purchase and installation of charging sockets for businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.
What Is the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The Workplace Charging Scheme, often shortened to WCS, is a voucher-based support scheme managed through the UK government’s EV charging grant framework. It helps organisations install workplace charging infrastructure by covering a share of eligible installation costs rather than requiring the full investment to be paid entirely by the site owner.
As of 26 February 2026, the scheme provides up to £350 per socket and supports up to 40 sockets across all sites per applicant. The government has also announced that from 1 April 2026, the maximum grant increases to £500 per socket, with the scheme extended until 31 March 2027.
Why the Workplace Charging Scheme Matters in EV Infrastructure
The Workplace Charging Scheme matters because it lowers one of the main barriers to workplace EV charging: upfront installation cost. For many organisations, adding EV chargepoints is not only about buying chargers, but also about funding installation works, electrical upgrades, and long-term site preparation.
By reducing part of the initial investment, the scheme helps accelerate employee charging, fleet electrification, and broader adoption of workplace charging infrastructure across the UK. It also helps organisations begin with a scalable charging setup that can expand over time.
How the Workplace Charging Scheme Works
An eligible organisation applies for the scheme through the government application process
If approved, the applicant receives a voucher for grant support
An authorised installer installs eligible chargepoints at the workplace site
The grant contributes towards the purchase and installation cost of the sockets
The installer deducts the grant from the customer invoice and then claims reimbursement through the scheme rules and process
This structure helps ensure that the support is linked to approved equipment, eligible installations, and authorised delivery partners.
Who Can Apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The scheme is open to eligible:
– Businesses
– Charities
– Public sector organisations
A separate but related scheme applies to state-funded education institutions, with different grant levels and conditions.
What the Workplace Charging Scheme Covers
The Workplace Charging Scheme covers up to 75% of the total cost of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints, including VAT, subject to the per-socket cap. Under the current structure, that means:
– Up to £350 per socket before 1 April 2026
– Up to 40 sockets across all sites per applicant
– From 1 April 2026, up to £500 per socket, subject to scheme rules in the final extended year to 31 March 2027
Typical Use Cases for the Workplace Charging Scheme
Common applications include:
– Installing employee EV charging at office buildings
– Adding chargers for company fleets
– Preparing workplace parking for future EV adoption
– Supporting staff charging at factories, warehouses, and depots
– Expanding charging availability across multiple business sites
These use cases make the scheme especially relevant for organisations that want to begin with a practical number of chargers and scale later.
Key Benefits of the Workplace Charging Scheme
– Reduces upfront charging infrastructure costs
– Supports faster rollout of workplace charging
– Helps organisations begin electrification with lower financial risk
– Encourages EV adoption among employees and company drivers
– Can support long-term fleet electrification planning
– Makes it easier to introduce charging across multiple locations
Limitations to Consider
– The scheme only applies to eligible applicants, sites, and installations
– Grant support is capped per socket and per applicant
– It does not remove the need for broader site planning, load management, or possible electrical upgrades
– The government reserves the right to change or end the scheme
– Grant rules, rates, and deadlines may change over time, so applicants should verify the latest guidance before applying
Workplace Charging Scheme vs EV Infrastructure Grant
The Workplace Charging Scheme helps fund the purchase and installation of chargepoint sockets
The EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets was designed to help some businesses with wider enabling works such as cabling and infrastructure preparation, but that grant is scheduled to close on 31 March 2026 under the updated grant changes announced by the government.
This distinction is important because a workplace charging project may involve both the visible chargers and the less visible electrical infrastructure needed to support future expansion.
Where the Workplace Charging Scheme Is Most Relevant
The Workplace Charging Scheme is most relevant in:
– Office buildings
– Business parks
– Warehouses and logistics centres
– Factories and industrial sites
– Fleet depots
– Multi-site business operations
In these environments, the scheme helps organisations reduce entry cost and build a more structured approach to workplace EV charging.
Related Glossary Terms
Workplace charging
Employee charging
Fleet charging
EV infrastructure grant
Load balancing
Smart charging
Site power limit
Charging scheduling
OZEV grants
Commercial EV charging