Installing EV chargers at your workplace is one of the smartest infrastructure investments a UK business can make in 2026. The government’s Workplace Charging Scheme covers up to £350 per socket, commercial chargers cost £1,000–£2,500 installed, and the tax benefits — including 100% capital allowances and 2% BIK on electric company cars — make the business case compelling.
This guide explains who qualifies for the WCS grant, what workplace chargers actually cost, how to claim the tax benefits, and what to expect from the installation process. Whether you are fitting two sockets for a small office or 40 for a corporate car park, the steps are the same.
- The WCS grant covers up to £350 per socket - businesses, charities, and public sector organisations can claim for up to 40 sockets per applicant
- Commercial chargers cost £1,000-£2,500 per socket installed - 7kW single-phase units sit at the lower end, while 22kW three-phase chargers cost more but charge 3x faster
- 100% first-year capital allowance on charge points - the full cost can be written off against corporation tax in year one
- 2% BIK rate on electric company cars in 2024/25 - compared to 20-37% for petrol and diesel, making workplace charging a powerful recruitment tool
- You must use an OZEV-authorised installer - only approved installers and charger models qualify for the WCS grant
Workplace Charging Scheme Explained
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a government voucher scheme that gives businesses, charities, and public sector organisations up to £350 off the cost of each EV charge point socket. A single applicant can claim for up to 40 sockets, meaning a maximum grant of £14,000 per organisation.
The scheme is administered by OZEV (the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) and has been running since 2016. Unlike the domestic OZEV grant — which is restricted to renters and flat owners — the WCS is available to any eligible business with dedicated off-street parking. For a full comparison of all available EV grants, see our complete guide to UK EV charger grants.
Who Qualifies for the WCS?
Eligible applicants include registered companies, partnerships with 2+ partners, charities, NHS trusts, local authorities, and other public sector bodies. Sole traders working from home do not qualify. The key requirement is that the charger must be installed at a workplace with off-street parking accessible to staff and/or fleet vehicles.
Sole traders and home-based businesses are not eligible for the WCS. If you work from home, you may qualify for the separate OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme instead — but only if you are a renter or live in a flat.
How to Claim
Apply through the OZEV online portal before installation begins. You will need your company registration number, details of the proposed installation site, and confirmation from an OZEV-authorised installer. The installer handles the technical paperwork. Once approved, you receive a voucher code that reduces the final invoice by up to £350 per socket.
Workplace EV Charger Costs
Commercial EV chargers cost £1,000–£2,500 per socket fully installed. The exact price depends on the charger power rating, number of sockets, cabling distance, and whether your electrical supply needs upgrading. After the WCS grant, you can bring the effective cost down to £650–£2,150 per socket.
| Charger Type | Power Rating | Cost Per Socket (Installed) | After WCS Grant | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-phase (7kW) | 7kW | £1,000–£1,400 | £650–£1,050 | Small offices, overnight fleet charging |
| Dual-socket (2×7kW) | 7kW per socket | £800–£1,200 per socket | £450–£850 | Car parks needing multiple points |
| Three-phase (22kW) | 22kW | £1,800–£2,500 | £1,450–£2,150 | Fast top-ups during the working day |
Dual-socket units like the Pod Point Twin offer the best cost-per-socket ratio for workplaces fitting multiple chargers. A 10-bay car park using five Pod Point Twin units would cost roughly £8,000–£12,000 before the WCS grant, dropping to £4,500–£8,500 after claiming £350 per socket. For a detailed breakdown of installation costs including labour and groundworks, see our EV charger installation cost guide.
Three-phase 22kW chargers deliver a full charge 3x faster than 7kW units, but most workplace vehicles are parked for 8+ hours. Unless you have a high-turnover visitor car park, 7kW chargers usually offer better value per socket.
Tax Benefits for Businesses
The financial case for workplace EV charging goes well beyond the WCS grant. Three tax mechanisms reduce the real cost significantly, and employers can reclaim VAT on the full installation.
| Tax Benefit | What It Covers | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Capital Allowance | Full cost of charge point equipment and installation | Write off entire cost against corporation tax in year one |
| VAT Reclaim | Workplace charging infrastructure | Recover 20% VAT on equipment and installation |
| 2% BIK Rate | Electric company cars (2024/25) | Employee pays £160/year tax on a £40,000 EV vs £2,960 for equivalent petrol car at 37% |
The 100% first-year capital allowance means a business installing £10,000 of charging infrastructure can offset the full amount against taxable profits immediately, rather than spreading it over several years. Combined with 20% VAT recovery, the effective cost drops by roughly 39% for a company paying the main corporation tax rate.
The 2% BIK rate for electric company cars makes salary sacrifice EV schemes extremely attractive to employees. A £40,000 electric company car costs the employee just £160/year in tax at the basic rate, compared to £2,960 for an equivalent petrol car at 37% BIK. This is a genuine recruitment and retention advantage.
Installation: What Businesses Need to Know
Workplace EV charger installation follows a predictable process, but electrical capacity is the single biggest variable in both cost and timeline. A typical project runs from initial survey to live chargers in 4–8 weeks.
The Installation Process
A standard workplace installation follows six steps: site survey, electrical assessment, groundworks (trenching, ducting), charger mounting and wiring, commissioning and testing, and finally submitting the WCS claim. Your OZEV-authorised installer manages all of these, including the grant paperwork.
The electrical assessment is critical. Each 7kW charger draws roughly 32 amps, so a 10-charger installation needs significant supply capacity. If your building’s supply cannot handle the load, you may need a supply upgrade from your DNO (distribution network operator), which can add £1,000–£5,000+ and 8–12 weeks to the project.
Smart Load Management
Smart charging management is essential for any workplace with more than a handful of chargers. Load balancing distributes available power across all connected vehicles, so you can run 20 chargers on a supply that would otherwise only support 10 at full power. Most commercial charger brands — including Pod Point, Rolec, and Project EV — offer built-in load management.
Access control and billing features let you restrict charger use to employees, track energy consumption per vehicle, and even bill visitors or tenants. This is particularly relevant for shared commercial buildings and business parks.
Always get the electrical assessment done before committing to a specific number of chargers. A DNO supply upgrade can double the project timeline and add thousands to the budget. Smart load balancing can often avoid the need for an upgrade entirely.
Why Workplace Charging Matters for Recruitment
The 2% BIK rate on electric company cars has triggered a surge in EV adoption among company car drivers. By 2025, over 50% of new company car orders are expected to be electric. Employees choosing EVs will actively seek employers who offer workplace charging — it is becoming as standard an expectation as car parking itself.
For employees without home charging (roughly 40% of UK households lack off-street parking), workplace charging is not just convenient — it is the primary way they can affordably run an EV. Offering workplace chargers widens your talent pool and demonstrates a visible commitment to sustainability. For employees who do have home charging, our guide to the best home EV chargers covers the top residential options.
How to Get Started
Getting workplace chargers installed is a straightforward process if you follow these steps in order. The whole project typically takes 4–8 weeks from first enquiry to live chargers.
Step 1: Assess demand. Survey your employees to find out how many currently drive EVs or plan to within the next 12 months. This determines how many sockets you need now and how much capacity to future-proof.
Step 2: Get quotes from OZEV-authorised installers. You must use an authorised installer to qualify for the WCS grant. Request at least three quotes that include the site survey, electrical assessment, and full installation.
Step 3: Apply for the WCS voucher. Submit your application through the OZEV portal before installation begins. You will need your Companies House number and the installer’s OZEV registration details.
Step 4: Choose your charger model. For most workplaces, dual-socket 7kW units (such as Pod Point Twin) offer the best balance of cost and coverage. Only upgrade to 22kW three-phase if you need rapid top-ups during short parking windows.
Step 5: Install, commission, and claim. Your installer handles the physical work, testing, and WCS paperwork. After commissioning, you receive the grant deduction on your final invoice. Set up your smart charging management to control access, monitor usage, and balance loads.
