Guidance

Workplace Charging Scheme: guidance for installers

How the Workplace Charging Scheme works, responsibilities for installers and how to make a claim.

From:
Office for Zero Emission Vehicles
Published
24 November 2021
Last updated
7 October 2024 — See all updates

About the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints. 

After an applicant applies, their chosen installer claims the grant on their behalf.

You must be an ozev-authorised installer to claim this grant.

The scheme is available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is not available in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.

This guidance is for installers. There is separate guidance about:

How the scheme works

The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.

The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:

  • £350 per socket
  • 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if the customer would like to install them in 40 sites, they will have 1 socket available per site

There are different grant amounts for WCS for state-funded education institutions.

You can use the WCS in conjunction with the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets. The two grants may be used for the same site, but not the same chargepoints. If you are using both grants, you must:

  • first claim for at least 1 working chargepoint under the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets
  • use the WCS for the chargepoints added later

Any attempt to claim the same chargepoint twice by submitting a WCS and EV grant application for the same chargepoint will be viewed as fraud. This will result in action being taken against you.

Become an authorised installer

Read about becoming an authorised installer.

Overview of the grant process

  1. Customer uses the grant application form to apply for the grant.

  2. If successful at this stage, the applicant receives a voucher code.

  3. Customer chooses you, an authorised installer, to complete the work.

  4. Customer gives you the voucher code.

  5. You use the portal to check that the code is valid.

  6. You install the authorised commercial chargepoint(s) and deduct the grant amount from the customer’s invoice.

  7. You use the voucher code to claim the grant - you must complete the work and claim the voucher within 180 days of the voucher being issued.

  8. Subject to final checks against the eligibility criteria, you receive the grant money.

In certain circumstances employers can use the grant to install chargepoints at their employee’s homes. In these cases, you should check:

  • the person is an employee of the company
  • the person has given permission to have a chargepoint installed

How to claim using the WCS portal

Use the online portal for installers to claim your customer’s grant.

You will need to provide:

  • the voucher code
  • details about the installation, including the type of chargepoint and the number of sockets -  photos of the chargepoints

How to claim the WCS for a small business that is primarily run from a residential property

Your customer will need to check their eligibility.

If you are a domestic installer and you completed the installation at the residential property under the WCS, your customer must apply for a voucher via the WCS portal.

You will need to complete an installer claim form.

If you are both a commercial and domestic installer and you have installed a  chargepoint at the residential property that is listed as eligible for both the commercial and residential grants, please continue to redeem the voucher via the online WCS portal as normal.

Employers can also install chargepoints at employee’s homes for company vehicles where the employee cannot charge their vehicle at work.

The employer needs to provide you with an evidence letter that confirms that the employee works for them and that they have permission to install chargepoints.

If  you are redeeming the voucher via the WCS portal, you can upload the evidence letter to the portal in the section that asks you to provide photo evidence of the chargepoint installation.

As the portal will only allow you to upload 2 files, you can:

  • copy the 2 required images of the installation into a word document (1st file)
  • upload the evidence letter as the second file

Or you can forward the employer evidence letter or email from the company to [email protected].

Your first claim

First payment(s) may take up to 3 months to process following your first WCS claim.

You may be asked to verify the bank account details you provided at the time you initially applied for installer authorisation. We aim to do this as quickly as possible. Any inaccuracy in the information provided or delay in responding may result in a delay to your payment.

Subsequent claims

Claims are processed on a fortnightly basis (typically at the beginning of the month and mid-month), following the conclusion of the 7-day confirmation period. We aim to pay the grant amount to installers within 30 working days of this date.

For instance, if you complete the online redemption process on 15 April, the voucher redemption details will be deemed accepted by the applicant after 7 days (22 April). We will aim to pay this voucher at the beginning of the following month (May).

How to claim the WCS for state-funded education institutions

Your customer applies for a voucher code via the Workplace Charging Scheme for state-funded education institutions application form.

They will need to check that their institution is eligible to apply for the funding.

Once you have completed the installation, you will need to complete an installer claim form and grant claim form and email them to [email protected].

Applicant and site eligibility

You should check that the applicant and site are eligible for the grant. Read eligibility information for:

Eligible and ineligible expenditure

Eligible expenditure consists of:

  • cost of unit
  • electrical components
  • civil engineering works
  • labour costs (for installation)
  • hardware costs
  • site survey works (when leading to a completed installation)
  • the VAT incurred by the customer

Where an additional smart meter or current clamp device is required, the capital cost of this is also eligible expenditure providing it is installed at the same time as the chargepoint.

Examples of ineligible expenditure include:

  • interest charges, bad debts, profits, entertaining
  • project management and reporting costs
  • administration costs
  • inflation and contingency allowances (as an overall arbitrary percentage) additional to eligible costs – however reasonable inflation rates can be included in labour and material cost estimates
  • new/additional land required for the proposed infrastructure
  • electricity provided by relevant infrastructure
  • ongoing back office data provision
  • any other ongoing operating costs (for example, maintenance or communication)
  • any warranty extension beyond 3 years
  • transport costs
  • marketing costs
  • any other cost not listed as an eligible expenditure

Technical specifications

Chargepoint equipment requirements

All chargepoint units must meet the minimum technical specification and be on the approved commercial chargepoint model list at the time of installation.

When you submit your claim, make sure that the chargepoint model name is exactly the same as the one stated on the eligible list. Claims will be rejected if the model claimed is not on the list.

Chargepoints are listed at the request of their manufacturers. If a model is not listed, it is not eligible for grant. Contact the chargepoint manufacturer:

  • to find out why your chargepoint is not listed
  • for details on what is covered by a specific approval

A customer may provide their own chargepoint if it is on the OZEV-approved chargepoint model list and they have a manufacturer’s 3-year on-site warranty. However, such equipment will not be eligible for a grant under the WCS. In this instance, as an installer, you may only claim for the cost of labour and other parts provided for the installation.

You cannot claim against:

  • a previously installed or second-hand chargepoint – the chargepoint unit must be new
  • installations made prior to voucher approval – applicants must apply for a voucher before you install any chargepoints

Installation requirements

Installations must be completed and a claim made before the voucher expires. A voucher will be valid for 180 days from the date of issue.

Installations must meet the minimum technical specification.

Authorised chargepoint installers must confirm that installations will be carried out in accordance with:

The installation must also consider the requirements of BS 8300:2009+A1:2010 and the needs of disabled people.

Charging equipment installed must:

If the customer encounters any issues within the warranty period, they should contact their chargepoint installer or manufacturer.

Enquiries

If you need help, you can contact us:

  • email: [email protected]
  • phone: 0300 123 1343 (Monday to Friday, 9am to midday, excluding bank holidays)

Our personal information charter

Our personal information charter contains the standards you can expect when we ask for, or hold, your personal information.

Updates to this page

Published 24 November 2021
Last updated 7 October 2024 + show all updates

  1. Guidance on eligibility made clearer.

  2. Added information about WCS for small accommodation businesses and charities.

  3. The definition of the maximum value subsidy has been revised from Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to minimal financial assistance (MFA) to align with the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

  4. Text updates to clarify the guidance to avoid duplication in applications.

  5. Clarifying rules around installing chargepoints.

  6. OZEV's appointed auditor is Cenex who work with NICEIC Consulting.

  7. Staff and/or fleet parking content update. Local residents can use the chargepoints during out of office hours.

  8. Updates related to de minimis state aid regulations.

  9. Guidance is now available for charities and small accommodation businesses.

  10. First published.

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