EV Charging
What Grants are Available to Renters and Flat Owners with Electric Cars?
Chloe Sharp
22 March 2023 at 08:38:46
According to the 2021 census, 21.7% of people in England and Wales lived in apartments. That’s 5.4 million people. Yet, rental properties have been noticeably neglected by the EV industry since popularity first started to rise.
When we think of home charging, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the image of a charger secured to the side of a house with a car parked nicely besides it. But for people who are living in rented accommodation, it’s not even possible to paint the walls, let alone install an EV charge point to the outside of your building. Not to mention people living in apartment complexes who don’t even have access to an exterior wall that isn’t six stories high.
The main issue seems to be having somewhere to plug in your electric car. Cars are an investment, so why would you spend money on one if you have nowhere to charge it?
The Juicy Details
Other incentives have been introduced by the UK Government to help tackle this issue, like the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which has now been replaced by the EV chargepoint grant.
Although phased out for homeowners, funding for apartments is still in effect. The grant offers applicants either £350 or a 75% cost reduction towards the cost of purchasing and installing the charger.
You have until 31st March 2024 to apply.
Do apply if you:
· Own (or lease) an OZEV approved electric vehicle or have one on order.
You can find a link to this list on the OZEV website.
Leased vehicles, for work or for personal use, must have at least 6 months on the lease. Keep proof of your lease or pre-order at the ready, since these will need to be shown to your local EV charge point installer.
· Live in a flat in the UK
Homeowners who live in flats and people living in rental accommodation (flats and single-use properties).
· Have access to a private, off-street parking space.
Don’t apply if you:
· Are going to move (or you’re planning on moving) soon.
· Already have a charge point installed.
Yes, even if that charger you have isn’t compatible with your new car. Or if you want to change the location of the charger.
· Have already claimed this grant or other similar schemes.
· Own and are living in a house.
Don’t worry though, it’s not all doom and gloom. If you aren’t eligible for this grant, OZEV are offering funding for a range of different circumstances.
Your landlord can also claim through the EV infrastructure grant for residential car parks, which gives them up to £30,000 of additional capital to go towards financing the installation of EV charge points.
