The OZEV electric vehicle (EV) home charge grant was replaced by the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) in 2022, and as of 2026, the EVHS is closed to new applications for homeowners, with only limited support remaining for flat owners and rental tenants (GOV.UK, 2026).
The key variable determining eligibility is your property type. The original OZEV grant, which covered up to 75% of the cost of a home charge point (capped at £350), ended for single-unit homeowners in April 2022. The replacement scheme, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), continues only for owners of flats and people in rented accommodation. If you own a house with a driveway or off-street parking, you are not eligible for any OZEV or EVHS grant in 2026.
Who can still claim the OZEV replacement grant
Only residents of flats and rental properties can apply for the EVHS grant in 2026. The grant covers 75% of the cost of a charge point, up to a maximum of £350 per installation (GOV.UK, 2026). You must have dedicated off-street parking, and the charge point must be installed by an OZEV-approved installer registered with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. For rented properties, the landlord must give consent, and the grant is available per eligible vehicle, not per property.
What the grant covers and how to apply
The EVHS grant covers the installation of a single charge point, including the unit and labour. It does not cover ongoing electricity costs or maintenance. The maximum grant amount is £350 per installation, and you can claim for up to two charge points per property (for two eligible vehicles) (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). To apply, you must first purchase or lease an eligible electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Then, choose an OZEV-approved installer who will handle the grant application on your behalf. The grant is deducted from the installation cost at the point of sale.
What homeowners can do without a grant
If you own a house with off-street parking and are not eligible for the EVHS, you still have options. The cost of a standard 7kW home charge point installation in 2026 ranges from £800 to £1,200, depending on the unit and cable length (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Some energy suppliers offer tariff deals that include a free or discounted charge point when you switch to an EV-specific electricity tariff. Also, the government’s Road to Zero strategy continues to support public charging infrastructure, but no direct home charge grant is available for single-unit homeowners in 2026.
A worked example
A 2026 applicant in a ground-floor Edinburgh flat with a dedicated parking space would receive a grant of £350, reducing the cost of a typical 7kW smart charger from £1,200 to £850. This scenario assumes the applicant owns an eligible new or second-hand EV and uses an OZEV-approved installer registered with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. The Energy Saving Trust notes that the EVHS grant is limited to one per eligible vehicle, so a second car would not qualify for another £350. The installation must include a smart charge point that can be remotely scheduled to avoid peak grid times, a condition set by Ofgem. Without the grant, the full £1,200 cost falls on the homeowner, but the £350 saving makes the switch more accessible for flat dwellers. The grant covers 75% of the purchase and installation cost, capped at the £350 maximum, so a cheaper charger does not increase the grant amount.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Upfront cost after grants | £850 |
| Yearly savings | £0 (no fuel savings from grant itself) |
| Payback period | Immediate on grant value |
| 25-year lifetime savings | £350 grant value |
What homeowners often get wrong
The most common mistake is assuming the OZEV grant still covers homeowners with driveways or garages. This misconception leads to wasted effort and missed opportunities for those who are actually eligible. Here are the three biggest errors homeowners make.
- Believing the grant is for all homeowners The misconception is that any UK homeowner with off-street parking can claim the £350 grant. The right answer is that the EVHS replacement only covers flat owners and rental tenants, so homeowners in houses are ineligible and waste time applying.
- Thinking the grant covers multiple vehicles The misconception is that each property can get a grant for every EV owned. The right answer is that the grant is per eligible vehicle, not per property, so a second EV for the same flat or rental tenant gets no grant, costing an extra £350 out of pocket.
- Assuming any installer can fit the charger The misconception is that a local electrician can handle the installation and still qualify for the grant. The right answer is that only OZEV-approved installers are eligible, and using an unregistered fitter voids the grant claim, leaving the homeowner with the full £1,200 cost.
Quick reference
- The OZEV grant ended for homeowners in April 2022 and is now only available as the EVHS for flat owners and rental tenants in 2026.
- The maximum grant amount is 75% of the charge point cost, capped at £350 per eligible vehicle.
- Eligibility requires dedicated off-street parking and an OZEV-approved installer registered with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.
- The grant covers a single smart charge point per vehicle, with no support for second EVs on the same property.
- Landlord consent is mandatory for rental tenants, and the grant is not transferable if the tenant moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, if you own a house with off-street parking, you cannot claim the OZEV or EVHS grant in 2026. GOV.UK confirms only flat owners and rental tenants are eligible.
The EVHS grant covers 75% of the installation cost up to a maximum of £350. This is confirmed by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (GOV.UK).
Only residents of flats and rented properties with dedicated off-street parking can apply. Landlord consent is required for rental properties, and the grant is per eligible vehicle.
