How much is the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant?

The Workplace Charging Scheme provides a grant of £350 per socket, up to a maximum of 40 sockets per business application. The maximum grant per business is therefore £14,000. The grant covers the cost of purchase and installation of eligible EV charge points. Businesses apply through an OZEV-approved installer — the installer claims the grant on the business's behalf and discounts it from the invoice. Eligible businesses include private sector companies, charities, and public authorities, but not residential landlords (who should apply through the EVHS instead).

Do I need planning permission to install workplace EV chargers?

In most cases, workplace EV charger installation falls within permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, as amended. However, planning permission may be required if: the property is a listed building or in a conservation area; the charger is to be installed on a wall or roof and exceeds dimension limits; or the local authority has removed permitted development rights via an Article 4 direction. For car park canopy installations (solar canopies with integrated chargers), planning permission is almost always required. Always check with the local planning authority before assuming permitted development applies to a commercial site.

How does load balancing work for a fleet of workplace EV chargers?

Dynamic load balancing uses current transformers (CT clamps) on the incoming supply to measure total building demand in real time. A load management controller (integrated into the chargers or as a separate device) distributes the remaining available capacity across all active charge points. For example, a 200A three-phase supply serving a building with a typical peak demand of 120A would have 80A of spare capacity. If 10 chargers are connected, each receives 8A initially (approximately 5.5kW on 3-phase). As vehicles complete charging or the building load drops, available capacity is redistributed automatically. This approach can allow 10–20 chargers to be installed on a supply that would otherwise support only 2–3 if each ran at full power simultaneously.

Should I install 3-phase or single-phase workplace chargers?

The answer depends on the available supply, vehicle types, and dwell time. Three-phase 22kW chargers are ideal for fleet vehicles that need to be fully charged in 2–4 hours (typical midday turnaround). However, most current EV models only accept 7.4kW on AC even if a 22kW charger is installed (the vehicle's onboard charger is the limiting factor). Single-phase 7.4kW chargers are sufficient for employee charging where vehicles park for 8+ hours overnight or during a working day. The cost difference between single-phase (7.4kW) and three-phase (22kW) chargers is typically £200–500 per unit. For mixed fleets, a combination of 22kW units for vans and 7.4kW units for cars is often the most cost-effective approach.

Can employees charge their personal EVs at work?

Yes, and HMRC provides a specific benefit-in-kind exemption: where an employer provides electricity for an employee to charge their own EV at the workplace, this does not count as a taxable benefit (ITEPA 2003, s.239). This means employees can charge for free at work without any tax liability. However, if the employer provides a home charger or contributes to home charging costs, different rules apply. HMRC's guidance on electric vehicles at work (Employment Income Manual EIM23900) sets out the full position. For visitor charging, a separate payment system (contactless payment or RFID) is typically used and the income may need to be accounted for as business revenue.

What does Part S of the Building Regulations require for new commercial buildings?

Part S of the Building Regulations (England) came into force on 15 June 2022 (via the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021). For new non-residential buildings with more than 10 car parking spaces, Part S requires: at least one active EV charge point (minimum 7kW) for every 5 spaces, with a minimum of one charge point regardless of the number of spaces; and cable routes (ducting) for all remaining spaces not served by active charge points (enabling future installation without groundworks). For existing non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation where the car park has more than 10 spaces, the same active charge point ratio applies. Compliance with Part S must be demonstrated to building control.

What access control options are available for workplace chargers?

Workplace chargers typically support RFID card or key fob access control, allowing only authorised users (employees or registered visitors) to start a charging session. More sophisticated systems offer smartphone app activation, allowing employees to start, stop, and monitor sessions remotely. For visitor charging open to the public (e.g., retail car parks), chargers must comply with the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, which require contactless payment capability and a transparent pricing display. Network-connected chargers allow remote monitoring, access management, and reporting via a management portal — useful for large fleet installations and for generating HMRC-compliant mileage reimbursement data.

WORKPLACE EV GUIDE

Workplace EV Charging Installation UK: Business EV Charger Guide 2026

The complete guide to installing EV charge points at UK business premises — Workplace Charging Scheme grants of up to £14,000, planning permission requirements, dynamic load balancing for fleets, 3-phase charger options, and how to manage employee and visitor charging.

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13 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key Takeaways

1The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides a grant of £350 per socket, up to a maximum of 40 sockets (£14,000) per business — one of the most generous EV infrastructure grants available to UK businesses.
2Building Regulations Part S requires new non-residential buildings with more than 10 car parking spaces to have cable routes (ducting) for EV charge points, and at least one active charge point per 5 spaces. This applies to buildings completed from 2022.
3Dynamic load balancing allows multiple charge points to share a single incoming supply, automatically distributing available capacity — avoiding costly DNO supply upgrades that can cost £3,000–15,000.
4Three-phase supplies (common in commercial premises) allow 22kW per charger versus 7.4kW on single phase, significantly reducing charge times for fleet vehicles.
5OZEV requires all WCS-funded chargers to appear on the approved product list and be installed by an OZEV-registered installer. The installation must include a BS 7671 electrical installation certificate.

01 · Workplace EV Guide

Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) — £350 Per Socket

The Workplace Charging Scheme is a government grant administered by OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) that provides UK businesses with a contribution towards the cost of purchasing and installing EV charge points at their premises. The grant provides £350 per socket, with a maximum of 40 sockets per business (£14,000 maximum per applicant).

2026 status: The Workplace Charging Scheme is open to applications in 2026. Applicants should confirm current availability and deadline dates with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) before applying, as scheme terms are subject to periodic review.

Who is eligible — UK-based businesses, charities, and public authorities with dedicated off-street parking. The charge points must be for use by employees, fleet vehicles, or workers. The business must have fewer than the number of charge points it is applying for already installed.
How to apply — applications are made through an OZEV-approved installer. The installer applies on the business's behalf via the OZEV online portal, receives authorisation, carries out the installation, and claims the grant — discounting it from the customer's invoice. The business pays only the net cost.
Approved chargers — the charger must appear on the OZEV-approved product list. All products on the list comply with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. Major approved brands include Pod Point, Ohme, Zappi, Easee, Wallbox, and EO Charging.
Installation requirements — a BS 7671 electrical installation certificate must be provided. The EV charging certificate must cover the circuit protective device, earthing arrangement, protective conductor, and test results in accordance with BS 7671 Section 722.

The WCS was originally available for small and medium enterprises only, but the scheme was expanded to include all businesses. The grant has been instrumental in accelerating workplace charging infrastructure across the UK, with over 90,000 sockets funded since the scheme launched.

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02 · Workplace EV Guide

Planning Permission for Commercial EV Charger Installations

Most standard workplace EV charger installations fall within permitted development rights, but commercial properties present more varied circumstances than residential installations. Understanding when planning permission is required protects both the installer and the client.

Permitted development (Class A, Part 2, Schedule 2, GPDO 2015)— EV charge points on or within the curtilage of non-domestic buildings are generally permitted development, subject to conditions including that no part of the charge point projects more than 0.6m from a wall or 1.6m from the ground (for wall-mounted units), and that the charge point is not installed on a listed building.
When planning permission is required — listed buildings and their curtilage, conservation areas (for some types of charge point), car park canopy structures (which constitute new buildings), and sites where Article 4 directions remove permitted development rights.
Part S compliance — new non-residential buildings and major renovations must comply with Part S of the Building Regulations. This requires active charge points and cable ducting for future charge points. Building control approval is required as part of the overall building consent, separate from planning permission.
DNO notification — installations above a certain size (typically above 3.68kW for single chargers, or multiple chargers) may require notification to the Distribution Network Operator under G99 (for installations above 16A per phase) or the G98 self-certification process.

03 · Workplace EV Guide

Load Balancing for Fleet Charging

Installing multiple charge points for a commercial fleet without load management risks overloading the building's incoming supply, resulting in tripped fuses, damaged equipment, and unplanned downtime. Dynamic load balancing is not optional for fleet installations — it is a fundamental part of the design.

CT clamp monitoring — current transformers on the incoming supply measure total building load. The load management system subtracts this from the available supply capacity to determine how much power can be allocated to EV charging.
Priority charging — most commercial load management systems allow priority rules to be configured. Fleet vehicles that need to depart at a specific time can be given charging priority, ensuring they are fully charged first even when capacity is limited.
Network management portals — networked charge points (Pod Point Pro, Easee Charge, Wallbox Commander) provide fleet managers with a web portal showing real-time charge status, energy consumption by vehicle, session history, and cost allocation reports. Essential for managing employee EV charging costs and generating HMRC-compliant records.
Battery storage integration — large fleet charging installations can benefit from behind-the-meter battery storage. Batteries charge during off-peak periods and discharge to support EV charging during peak hours, reducing demand charges and avoiding supply upgrade costs.

04 · Workplace EV Guide

3-Phase vs Single Phase for Fleet Charging

The choice between single-phase and three-phase EV chargers for a workplace or fleet installation depends on supply availability, vehicle capability, and required charge times. Many commercial premises already have three-phase supplies, making 22kW charging straightforward to implement.

Single-phase 7.4kW — suitable for car-park employee charging where vehicles park for 6–10 hours. A 7.4kW charger adds approximately 35–40 miles of range per hour. For a 60kWh battery starting at 20%, a full charge takes approximately 7 hours. Lower infrastructure cost; single-phase circuits from a standard distribution board.
Three-phase 22kW — ideal for fleet vehicles with high daily mileage requiring rapid turnaround. Delivers up to 22kW (subject to the vehicle's onboard charger accepting 3-phase AC, which most vans and some premium cars do). A 75kWh commercial van battery charges in 3.5–4 hours at 22kW. Requires three-phase supply and a dedicated circuit per charger.
Vehicle onboard charger limits — most current passenger EVs are limited to 7.4kW AC (single-phase). Installing a 22kW charger for these vehicles provides no speed benefit. Check the specific vehicle's maximum AC charge rate before specifying charger hardware. Commercial vans (Ford E-Transit, Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo, Mercedes eSprinter) typically accept 11kW or 22kW.
Cost comparison — a single-phase 7.4kW charger costs approximately £500–900 supply and install per socket. A three-phase 22kW charger costs £800–1,800 supply and install. For a 10-charger fleet installation, the difference may be £3,000–9,000 — often justified if the fleet includes commercial vans with 22kW onboard chargers.

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05 · Workplace EV Guide

Employee vs Visitor Charging

Workplace EV charging infrastructure must account for two distinct use cases: employee charging (typically long-dwell, low-power, access-controlled) and visitor charging (short-dwell, payment-enabled, publicly accessible). These have different technical and regulatory requirements.

Employee charging — benefit in kind exemption — HMRC does not treat free workplace EV charging as a benefit in kind under ITEPA 2003 s.239, provided the charging facility is available to all employees generally. Employers can offer free charging without creating an additional tax liability for the employee.
Employee access control — RFID cards, fobs, or app-based authentication restrict charger access to authorised employees. Network-connected chargers log each session against the employee's RFID, providing data for mileage reimbursement records.
Public visitor charging — PCP Regulations 2023 — if charge points are to be used by members of the public (customers, delivery drivers, visitors not employed by the business), they may be classified as public charge points and must comply with the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, requiring contactless payment, transparent pricing, and 99% availability. A separate payment network account (e.g., Pod Point network, SWARCO, or BP Pulse) may be required.
Mixed-use sites — a common approach for retail or hospitality sites is to install separate chargers for employees (RFID access, WCS-funded) and for customers (open access, payment-enabled). The two systems operate independently on separate circuits, each with its own load management.

06 · Workplace EV Guide

Typical Workplace EV Charger Installation Costs (2026)

Installation costs for workplace EV chargers vary significantly depending on supply capacity, cable runs, groundworks, and charger specification. The following figures are representative of typical UK commercial installations before WCS grant deductions.

Single charger (wall-mounted, existing supply) — £800–1,800 supply and install, including charger, cable run up to 10m, circuit protective device, earthing, and BS 7671 certificate. WCS grant deduction: £350.
5-charger installation with load management — £5,500–9,000, including load management controller, CT clamps, sub-distribution board, five chargers, cable runs, and commissioning. WCS grant: up to £1,750 (5 × £350).
20-charger car park installation — £20,000–45,000 depending on groundworks, cable trench length, and charger specification. WCS grant: up to £7,000 (20 × £350). DNO supply upgrade may add £3,000–15,000 if existing supply is insufficient.
DNO supply upgrade — if the existing supply cannot support the planned charger load even with load management, a supply upgrade via the Distribution Network Operator costs £1,000–15,000+ and can take 6–12 months to complete. Factoring supply capacity into the initial survey prevents costly project delays.

07 · Workplace EV Guide

For Electricians: Winning Workplace EV Contracts

Workplace EV charging represents some of the highest-value electrical installation contracts available to UK electricians in 2026. A single multi-charger fleet installation can be worth £15,000–50,000 in materials and labour. Electricians who become OZEV-approved installers and build expertise in load management and commercial EV infrastructure have a significant competitive advantage.

Certificates & Documentation On Site

Use the Elec-Mate EV charging certificate app to complete BS 7671 Section 722 installation certificates on your phone or tablet while on site. For multi-charger commercial installations, complete a certificate per circuit and bundle them into a single PDF package for the client — professional presentation wins repeat contracts.

Quote Commercial Projects Confidently

Use the Elec-Mate quoting app to build detailed multi-line quotes for commercial EV installations — charger supply, cable runs, groundworks, load management, sub-board, testing, and certification. Show WCS grant deductions clearly on the quote to help clients see their net cost.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace EV Charging

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Workplace EV Charging Installation UK: Business EV Charger Guide 2026

Key Takeaways

Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) — £350 Per Socket

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

Planning Permission for Commercial EV Charger Installations

Load Balancing for Fleet Charging

3-Phase vs Single Phase for Fleet Charging

Try Elec-Mate free for 7 days

Employee vs Visitor Charging

Typical Workplace EV Charger Installation Costs (2026)

For Electricians: Winning Workplace EV Contracts

Certificates & Documentation On Site

Quote Commercial Projects Confidently

Win more workplace EV charging contracts with Elec-Mate

Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace EV Charging

How much is the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant?

Do I need planning permission to install workplace EV chargers?

How does load balancing work for a fleet of workplace EV chargers?

Should I install 3-phase or single-phase workplace chargers?

Can employees charge their personal EVs at work?

What does Part S of the Building Regulations require for new commercial buildings?

What access control options are available for workplace chargers?

Continue reading

Section 722 EV Charging A4:2026 Changes

EV Charger Grants UK

Smart EV Charging

EV Charging Legislation UK

EV Charger Brand Comparison

EV Charging Certificate App

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