The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) closed to single unit properties such as bungalows, detached, semi-detached or terraced housing from April 2022, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has said, describing the decision as disappointing1. The scheme had provided grant funding of up to 75 per cent of the cost of installing chargepoints at domestic properties, or a maximum of £3501. As of 1 October 2021 it had funded 189,815 domestic chargepoint installations, with a total grant value of £88,107,3231.
"it is disappointing that government has decided that single unit properties such as bungalows, detached, semi-detached or terraced housing will no longer be eligible for the scheme from April 2022."
The replacement, the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant (EVCG), opened on 1 April 2022 and is confirmed to run until 31 March 20272. It covers 75 per cent of the cost of buying and installing a socket, up to a maximum of £500, and is open to people who own and live in a flat, or rent and live in any residential property, including shared ownership2. The property must have designated, private off-street parking and be in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland; the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not eligible2. A separate grant for residential landlords offers the same 75 per cent and £500 per socket, with up to 200 sockets per year3.
| Scheme | Who it covers | Support per socket |
|---|---|---|
| EVHS (closed to single unit properties from April 2022) | Homeowners with off-street parking | Up to 75 per cent, maximum £3501 |
| Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant | Flat owner-occupiers and renters | Up to 75 per cent, maximum £5002 |
| Residential landlord grant | Landlords, RTM and RMC companies, social housing providers | Up to 75 per cent, maximum £500, up to 200 sockets a year3 |
Figures on how many devices the EVHS funded differ between sources. The SMMT gives 189,815 installations and £88,107,323 in grant value as of 1 October 20211, while NAPIT states the scheme provided funding for 291,549 domestic charging devices before concluding in April 20224. The Department for Transport's grant statistics for July 2022 note that the new chargepoint grant would be included in the November 2022 publication5, and the October 2022 release confirms it appeared there for the first time6.
Why it matters for households
For a household in a house with its own driveway, the practical effect is that the installation of a home chargepoint is no longer supported by the scheme that existed before April 20221. Charging at home remains the main way most plug-in vehicle users charge, and a dedicated wallbox typically delivers about 7kW, adding roughly 30 miles of range per hour, with a full charge usually taking around 10 hours7. A three-pin plug delivers around 2.3kW and can take 30 to 35 hours7. The grant now follows the property type rather than the vehicle: support is directed at flats and rented homes, which are the households least likely to have a private driveway of their own2. For those without off-street parking, the alternatives are kerbside and public charging, and the government is investing £25m to help local councils install cross-pavement charging solutions7.
What happens next
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant and the residential landlord grant are both confirmed until 31 March 20273. The government reserves the right to end or change either scheme, and says it will aim to provide four weeks' notice and honour claims made before any public announcement, subject to the grant criteria3. Installations must be carried out by an OZEV-authorised installer using an eligible chargepoint, and the grant cannot be paid where installation was a mandatory requirement, including under the Part S building regulations in England from 15 June 2022 and equivalent rules in Scotland from 5 June 20233.
Sources7 cited
- Subject:, smmt.co.uk
- Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Renters and Flat Owners - GOV-UK Find a grant, find-government-grants.service.gov.uk
- Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for residential landlords - GOV-UK Find a grant, find-government-grants.service.gov.uk
- charging-up-installer-knowledge-electric-vehicles, napit.org.uk
- Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme statistics: July 2022 - GOV.UK, gov.uk
- Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme statistics: October 2022 - GOV.UK, gov.uk
- Electric Car Charging Guide | Carwow, carwow.co.uk