The Eligibility Rules for Apartment EV Charging Grants in the UK
If you live in a flat or apartment and want a grant for an electric vehicle chargepoint, the main government scheme for homeowners with driveways closed in 2022. The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) was closed to new applications on 31 March 2022 (GOV.UK, 2026).
Apartment residents can get up to £350 per chargepoint via the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant (EVIG). You need a dedicated off-street parking space and an OZEV-approved installer. Compare eligible installers now.
- EVHS closed on 31 March 2022 for new applications.
- EVIG offers up to £350 per chargepoint for flat owners.
- Renters need landlord permission to apply for EVIG.
- Dedicated parking space required on-street parking excluded.
- Installers must submit grant applications before work starts.
- The Eligibility Rules for Apartment EV Charging Grants in the UK
- Who Qualifies for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant (EVIG)
- Who Does NOT Qualify for Any Apartment Charging Grant
- How to Confirm Your Apartment's Eligibility in Three Steps
- Quick Numbers What the Grant Covers and What It Costs
- The Installer Must Be MCS and OZEV-Approved – Here's How to Verify
- What to Do If Your Apartment Doesn't Qualify for a Grant
Two active grant routes remain for apartment residents. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant (EVIG) is for flat owners and people in rented properties. The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is for landlords and property managers. Most apartment residents do not own a private driveway, so the eligibility criteria differ from householders.
Grants are available only for chargepoints installed by an OZEV-approved installer. The property must be a residential flat or apartment building. You cannot apply for a grant before you have an installer lined up, and the installer must submit the application before any work begins (GOV.UK, 2026).
Who Qualifies for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant (EVIG)
Three groups of people can apply for the EVIG. First, flat owners who own their property and have a dedicated parking space. Second, people living in rented properties, but only with written permission from their landlord. Third, anyone living in a building with a shared off-street parking area, provided their parking bay is clearly assigned (GOV.UK, 2026).
The maximum grant amount is £350 per chargepoint, or 75% of the installation cost, whichever is lower. You can claim one chargepoint per eligible household. The flat must have its own dedicated parking space or a clearly assigned bay in a shared car park. On-street parking does not qualify (DESNZ guidance, 2026).
Who Does NOT Qualify for Any Apartment Charging Grant
Several groups are excluded from all apartment charging grants. Homeowners with a private driveway were previously eligible under the EVHS, but that scheme is closed. New-build flats that received planning permission after 15 June 2024 are not eligible, because Building Regulations Part S already requires chargepoint infrastructure in those buildings (GOV.UK, 2026).
Properties without any off-street parking also cannot qualify. Landlords of buildings with more than 10 flats may need to use the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) instead of EVIG. The WCS provides up to £350 per socket for landlords who install chargepoints for their tenants or employees (GOV.UK, 2026).
Chargepoints installed before the grant application is submitted are ineligible. The installer must apply before work begins, and the application must include a quote for the installation (OZEV eligibility checker, 2026).
How to Confirm Your Apartment’s Eligibility in Three Steps
Step 1: Check your tenancy agreement or lease. If you own the flat, you need proof of ownership, such as a title deed or lease. If you rent, you need written permission from your landlord. The landlord must agree to the installation and to any changes to the parking area (GOV.UK, 2026).
Step 2: Verify that your parking space is off-street, dedicated, and not shared with non-residents. You may need a photo of the parking bay and a site plan showing your assigned space. The parking area must be part of the building’s land and not a public road (GOV.UK, 2026).
Step 3: Find an OZEV-approved installer from the official register. The installer will handle the grant application on your behalf. You cannot apply directly. The installer will check your eligibility, provide a quote, and submit the application before starting work (OZEV approved installer register, 2026).
Quick Numbers What the Grant Covers and What It Costs
| Grant name | Who applies | Max grant per chargepoint | Typical installation cost (after grant) | Eligibility requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EVIG | Flat owner or renter | £350 or 75% of cost | £450–£700 | Off-street dedicated parking |
| WCS | Landlord or property manager | £350 per socket | £450–£700 | Business premises or communal parking |
| (None) | Homeowner with driveway | £0 (EVHS closed) | £800–£1,200 | Private driveway (no grant available) |
| (Private install) | Any apartment resident without grant | £0 | £800–£1,200 | Off-street parking required |
Cost ranges come from the Energy Saving Trust chargepoint cost survey 2025–2026 (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Grant figures are from OZEV and DESNZ guidance.
The Installer Must Be MCS and OZEV-Approved – Here’s How to Verify
All chargepoints must be installed by an OZEV-approved installer. This is a mandatory requirement for grant eligibility. The installer must also hold relevant certification for the specific chargepoint model. For standard chargepoints, this is typically NICEIC or NAPIT certification for electrical safety. For solar-integrated units, MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification may also be required (OZEV, 2026).
To verify an installer, follow two steps. First, check the OZEV approved installer list online (OZEV approved installer list, 2026). Second, confirm the installer’s MCS or NICEIC certification number on the respective register (MCS register, 2026; NICEIC find a contractor tool, 2026).
Do not accept an installer who cannot provide both an OZEV approval number and a current certification certificate. If they are not on the OZEV list, your grant application will be rejected.
What to Do If Your Apartment Doesn’t Qualify for a Grant
If your apartment does not qualify for a grant, you have several alternative options. First, negotiate with your landlord to install a chargepoint under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). This scheme is available for buildings with 10 or more flats, and the landlord can claim up to £350 per socket (GOV.UK, 2026).
Second, join a community charging scheme. Companies like Connected Kerb and ubitricity install public chargepoints on residential streets and in shared car parks. You pay per charge, and the installation cost is covered by the provider (Connected Kerb, 2026; ubitricity, 2026).
Third, you can still install a chargepoint privately without a grant. You must use a smart, OZEV-compliant unit. The cost is typically £800 to £1,200 for a 7kW tethered unit, including installation (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). From 2025, all new apartment buildings with parking must have chargepoint-ready infrastructure under Part S of Building Regulations. This may make future installation cheaper if your building is retrofitted (Building Regulations Part S, 2025 update).
Guide to smart EV chargepoints and OZEV compliance How Building Regulations Part S affects apartment owners
Frequently Asked Questions
The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant (EVIG) offers up to £350 per chargepoint for flat owners and renters in the UK. You must have a dedicated parking space and use an OZEV-approved installer (GOV.UK, 2026).
Yes, if you live in rented accommodation and have written permission from your landlord. The EVIG grant covers 75% of installation costs up to £350 per chargepoint (DESNZ guidance, 2026).
Two active grants: the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant (EVIG) for flat owners and renters, and the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) for landlords. The EVHS closed in 2022 (GOV.UK, 2026).
No, but you need a dedicated off-street parking space or a clearly assigned bay in a shared car park. On-street parking does not qualify for any grant (DESNZ guidance, 2026).
After the EVIG grant (up to £350), typical installation costs range from £400 to £1,000 depending on the site. The grant covers 75% of costs up to that limit (GOV.UK, 2026).
