A new online guide to help fleets and workplaces navigate changes to government grants for EV charging infrastructure is now available from charging specialist Mer.

Mer’s guide to chargepoint grants is available online

The document, which is freely available online, has been published after the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) launched new grant schemes and updated existing ones.

It covers the updated Workplace Charging Scheme as well as two new initiatives – the EV Infrastructure Grant and the EV Chargepoint Grant for Landlords.

Fred Parkes, managing director of Mer Fleet Services, said: “Businesses are experiencing exponential rises in fuel costs and are also looking to reduce emissions from company vehicles. There has never been a better time to run more electric vehicles and these grants can help businesses with the costs of installing the right infrastructure.

“Reliable and affordable charging infrastructure is key to supporting businesses large and small in their transition to EVs. Therefore, it’s important that we help companies to understand the funding available from OZEV to make it happen.”

By far the most well-known and established grant, the Workplace Charging Scheme provides financial support to businesses towards the cost of purchasing and installing workplace charge points. It was first introduced by OZEV in 2016, renewed in 2020, and earlier this year was opened up to SMEs, small accommodation businesses, commercial landlords and charities. It provides grants of up to £350 per charging socket, to a maximum of 40 sockets and a total value of £14,000.

The EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets was launched in April and is aimed at SMEs. Applicants can receive up to £850 for each private parking space that will become a charging bay – this is split between up to £350 per charge point socket and up to £500 per bay for the supporting infrastructure to power charge points that will be installed in the future. Each grant application can be for up to £15,000 and each company can apply for grants for up to five sites.

The third funding stream is the EV Chargepoint Grant for Landlords, which supports landlords of residential and commercial properties to install infrastructure. It pays for up to 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing a charge point, limited to £350 per point.

“We don’t expect our customers to be experts in EV charging, and that same ethos applies to the OZEV grants,” added Fred Parkes. “We know there’s a lot to take in and that’s why we offer to help.”

The grants guide is freely available from the Mer website or by contacting Mer on 03300 562 562 or emailing [email protected].