Support for small businesses, landlords and leaseholders: Government charges up the electric vehicle revolution with £50million boost

Saturday, 13 February 2021 00:01

Small businesses and those in leasehold and rented accommodation are set to benefit from up to £50 million to install electric vehicle chargepoints. The Department for Transport has announced that the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which provides up to £350 towards a chargepoint, will continue next year and be expanded to target people in rented and leasehold accommodation. At the same time, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) will be...Request free trial

Small businesses and those in leasehold and rented accommodation are set to benefit from up to £50 million to install electric vehicle chargepoints.

The Department for Transport has announced that the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which provides up to £350 towards a chargepoint, will continue next year and be expanded to target people in rented and leasehold accommodation.

At the same time, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) will be opened up to SMEs and the charity sector, providing a boost as staff return to work. The changes will also mean that small accommodation businesses, such as B&Bs can benefit from the funding, boosting rural areas, and tackling the ‘range anxiety’ associated with long journeys.

This investment comes as the Department launches a consultation on improving the charging experience – simplifying payments and increasing reliability – taking us a step closer to delivering on the commitment to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said:

“Whether you’re on the school run or travelling to work, or don’t have access to a private parking space, today’s announcement will bring us one step closer to building and operating a public chargepoint network that is affordable, reliable and accessible for all drivers.

“As the UK accelerates towards net zero emissions by 2050, we are determined to deliver a world-leading electric vehicle charging network, as we build back greener and support economic growth across the country.”

Today’s consultation suggests simplifying payment at chargepoints, meaning electric vehicle drivers can use contactless payment but don’t have to download an app. It also seeks to make chargepoints more reliable, and to force operators to provide a 24/7 call helpline for drivers.

Drivers should also be able to find and access chargepoints easily, which is why we’re proposing that operators should make location data, power rating and price information more accessible for drivers. This is essential for ensuring costs are fair, for driving competition, and for increasing the confidence of both existing electric vehicle drivers and those considering making the switch.

These proposals will ensure that it is as easy – or even easier – for drivers to charge their car as it is to refuel a petrol or diesel vehicle.

The investment announced today, follows £20 million in funding announced last week for councils to improve the on-street charging infrastructure in their local areas, and is part of a suite of measures the Government is taking to accelerate electric vehicle uptake and decarbonise transport.

CEO of Co Charger, Joel Teague, said:

“From a Co Charger point of view this announcement is particularly welcome because it will put more chargepoints into homes and businesses where they can be shared with their neighbourhoods. Dependable, affordable charging while at home or work is essential for people to make the switch to electric motoring, and by sharing these newly funded chargepoints communities will be able to meet that need.”

FSB National Chair, Mike Cherry, said:

“It's great to see the Department for Transport putting businesses front and centre as part of the UK's mission to achieve net zero by 2050.

“Small businesses want to play a critical role in helping the UK reach its green targets and electric vehicles are the future. That’s why this is important news for the nation, particularly rural areas which are often left behind.”

Notes to editors

The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan made a commitment to transform the nation’s infrastructure to better support electric vehicles. £1.3bn of funding was secured, over a four year period, at the Spending Review for this. Within this, £275m was allocated to extend support for chargepoint installation at homes, workplaces and on-street locations, while reforming these schemes so that they target difficult parts of the market such as leaseholders and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
The Government will update its EV homecharging scheme to encourage freeholders and landlords to apply for funding on behalf of their leaseholders or tenants later this year.
The changes include providing freeholders/landlords up to £350 per chargepoint installation in their properties and giving them access to extra funds to help with the cost of retrofitting carparks of multiple occupancy buildings with chargepoints.
As part of its transformation a new digital platform will be launched for the revised EVHS this year and the current platform will be closed to new applications on 31 March 2022.