April 1, 2022
Abby Nuttall
Today is the first day that the new eligibility criteria are in place for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS).
This scheme was initially set up in 2014 with the intention of helping drivers with the cost of installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging unit to encourage more people to take up EVs. Since then they have provided over £78 million to assist with the price of installing home chargers.
Last month the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) announced that the eligibility rules would be changing from the 1st of April (today) onwards.
In this article we’ll look at the new criteria and answer some of the most common questions asked about home chargers now the grant has changed.
What are the New Eligibility Criteria?
Homeowners of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and bungalows are no longer eligible for the grant and will have to pay for their home charger themselves.
Those who live in flats will still be able to apply for the grant provided they meet the other criteria, which includes having off-street parking and the device is installed by an OZEV approved installer.
Additionally, landlords will be able to apply for up to 200 properties annually for a maximum total of £70,000 and up to £350 per socket installed. If the property is an apartment block, then they can apply for up to 30 charging units at a maximum cost of £30,000 each year.
The change in grant eligibility is to help ensure home chargers are accessible to tenants in rental properties (including houses and bungalows) where they might not want to invest in a charger if they’re lease is only for a year or two. Additionally keeping it open to residents in flats will help encourage them to switch to an EV and get a charger installed for their private parking. This is because apartment blocks have a high density of drivers and so even with on-street public chargers the demand will likely exceed the availability of chargers.
My Charger is Still Being Installed, What Does the Change Mean for Me?
If you own and live in a house or bungalow and are currently having a charger installed and the work has not yet been completed, then unfortunately you will no longer be eligible for the grant. The installation needed to be completed by the close of play yesterday (31st of March) in order for you to still qualify under the previous eligibility criteria.
I’m Still Waiting for My Charger to Be Installed, What Does the Change Mean for Me?
If you are still waiting for your home charger to be installed then the answer to this question will vary depending on what type of property you live in and whether you own it.
If you are in a rental property then your landlord will still be able to apply for the grant on the property provided that there is off-road parking and it is installed by an approved company.
If you are in a flat then the grant eligibility will remain the same from you and you can proceed as planned.
However, if you are a homeowner in a house or bungalow then you will need to bare in mind that though you can still have the charger installed you will now need to pay the full cost of purchasing and installing it without the grant reduction.
Can I Still Get a Home Charger?
Yes, you can still have a home charger installed provided you have off road parking available and you use a OVEZ approved installer.
It will be your responsibility to pay for the charger in full if you are no longer eligible for a grant but there are a growing number of different manufacturers and models that you’ll be able to find one which fits into your budget.
How Much Does an EV Charger Cost?
The cost of an EV charger can vary depending on:
- The speed of charging you want
- Whether it is a smart charger
- If there is any additional needed to your existing infrastructure
The cheapest units will be slower charger and start at around £300, with the faster smart chargers reaching up to £1,500.
Because each property is different and may require a different level of electrical work we cannot advise on the specific cost of purchasing and installing the unit but EV charger providers will usually be able to inspect the property and advise you on a quote.
Is It Worth Having a Home Charger Installed?
Yes, if you have off-road parking and you existing electricity infrastructure can support it then we would recommend having a home charger installed.
There are a lot of benefits to having your own home charger but the two biggest are that your home is the most convenient place for you to charge the vehicle, as it is usually where you spend the majority of your time.
The second is that it will work out cheaper than using the public charging network. Additionally, you can take advantage of lower electricity rates at off-peak hours depending on your tariff.
How Can Wessex Fleet Help Me with an EV Home Charger?
Wessex Fleet work with Ohme to provide our customers with smart charger units, that have 3G / 4G and integrate with your energy tariff to charge your car at the most optimal time of day based on your energy tariffs.
If you would like more information on this then get in touch with us on 01722 322 888 and we’ll be happy to help.