Workplace Charging Scheme for State-Funded Schools

What is the grant?

The grant is designed to alleviate the costs of installing commercial chargepoints for state-funded education institutions. If successful, applicants can reduce the costs of purchasing and installing by up to 75%, capped at £2,500 per charging socket.

However, a maximum of 40 sockets can be installed under the grant across all sites with the exception of academy trusts, which can apply for the maximum 40 sockets for each institution within the trust. Importantly, this includes any previous applications made through the WCS, a similar scheme aimed at businesses, charities, and public authorities.

Eligibility criteria

This grant is only available for state-funded schools and institutions, but independent schools may be able to get funding via the WCS. Additionally:

• The grant is only available to institutions in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• Applicants must demonstrate either an existing or future need for charging electric cars.
• There must be designated off-street parking facilities clearly associated with the school’s premises for use by customers, guests, visitors, staff, or others.
• An authorised installer must have conducted a site survey beforehand to confirm that the site can support electric car chargepoints. A minimum of 3kW per individual socket is required, and no more than one socket can be installed for each parking space.
• The institution mustn’t have already applied for a grant for the same chargepoint under any other grants or schemes, including the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets.
• Applicants must have prior authority to apply for the scheme on behalf of their organisation.

Additionally, if the institution intends to open their chargepoints to the public and charge them for usage, they’ll need to make sure they comply with the Public Chargepoint Regulations 2023 and its guidance.

How to apply for the grant

Applicants can begin the process only once an installer has confirmed via a site survey that the site’s electric capacity can support the number of required sockets.

To apply, applicants need to complete an online application form, including their ID, SEED, or reference number, using an email address that matches the email domain of the institution.

Academy trusts applying for multiple schools or institutions within the trust must submit an application for each one.

What happens next?

If successful, the institution will be given a unique voucher code which they will need to give to their chosen installer. This is valid for 180 days, and the installation needs to be completed within this time.

Successful applicants must install an authorised commercial chargepoint using an authorised installer.

Each site must be able to supply a minimum power of 3kW to each individual charging socket, even when they’re all in use simultaneously, and only one socket can be installed for each parking space.

Why should schools and nurseries install EV chargers?

Every day, drivers across the UK are making the switch to electric cars, making it more important than ever for workplaces – including schools, colleges, and nurseries - to provide charging to accommodate them. That’s because cars are typically parked at workplaces for long periods of time, giving users (such as staff or visitors) a practical way to charge whilst they work or visit a school site.

In fact, an increasing number of employees see the ability to charge at work as a great perk, which could help with attracting and retaining staff. Plus, investing in on-site charging can demonstrate the institution’s commitment to sustainability and help them meet any Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) obligations.