Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS)
There are now more than 9,000 public electric car charging point locations in the UK and that number is growing all the time.
The UK Government is pushing for electric car chargers to be installed in newly built homes and a huge expansion of public charging infrastructure for when you are out on the road. However support is also available for EV drivers who want to install a car charger at home.
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, often shortened to EVHS, is designed to help plug-in vehicle owners offset some of the upfront costs they face.
If you have a home with off-street parking suitable for an electric car charger, and an eligible electric vehicle, you could get 75 per cent off the cost of buying and installing an electric charger (up to a maximum of £500).
There are some rules around the types of electric car and electric car charger that qualify for the grant, such as using an approved installer, which are detailed in the FAQs below.
All vehicles that have been approved as ultra-low emission vehicles by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles are eligible for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. check out the full list of the vehicles that are eligible for the plug-in car grant
Do all electric car drivers qualify for a home charger grant?
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme provides up to £500 for drivers who have bought, or leased, a new or second hand eligible electric vehicle on or after 1 October 2016, as long as they have not claimed against a previous Government chargepoint scheme.
This includes:
- Drivers assigned an eligible company car for at least six months
- Individuals who lease an eligible vehicle for at least six months
- Employees who have leased an eligible electric car as part of a salary-sacrifice scheme
- Individuals who are named by their employer as the primary user of an eligible electric vehicle for at least six months
- Drivers who can prove that they have ordered an eligible electric car
Who can’t claim for an electric car home charger grant?
The grant isn’t available to drivers of electric cars who:
- Are not on the list of eligible EVs, or whose car is registered outside of the UK;
- Drivers who sometimes use an electric vehicle, but are not listed as the main driver;
- Individuals who drive or lease an electric car for less than six months;
- Drivers who are borrowing an electric vehicle from friends or family;
- Drivers who only have access to an electric vehicle through a car club;
- Drivers who want to claim for a second home charger but don’t have two eligible vehicles.
Can I get help to charge my electric car at home if I don’t have my own off-street parking?
If you do not have your own off-street parking, your Local Authority may be able to help via a central Government grant. More details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles#on-street-residential-chargepoint-scheme
Is the electric vehicle home charge grant available upfront, or do I have to pay for installation and claim the money back?
Once all the relevant paperwork is completed, an authorised electric car charge point installer will claim the 75% (capped at £500) on your behalf. You will need to agree how you meet the remaining cost with the installer before the work is carried out.
Is there a limit to the number of EV chargers I can claim for?
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) grant can be made available for a maximum of two eligible electric cars at a single domestic property if all terms and conditions are met. However, your installer must speak to your local Distribution Network Operator before installing two EV chargers, or a second home charge point at a single address.
Can I get a grant to have a three-pin socket EV charger installed at my home?
This type of electric car charger is not eligible for a grant.
