Workplace Charging Scheme: guidance for applicants
What the Workplace Charging Scheme is, eligibility criteria for
applicant organisations and how to apply. Contents About the scheme
Grant eligibility How to apply Installer responsibilities
Manufacturer responsibilities EnquiriesPrint this page About the
scheme The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based
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What the Workplace Charging Scheme is, eligibility criteria for applicant organisations and how to apply. Contents
About the scheme The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints. It is available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man. The scheme is run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This guidance is aimed at applicants. Guidance for installers and manufacturers is also available. How the scheme works The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria. The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
After applying using the online application form, successful applicants are issued with a unique identification voucher code by email, which can then be given to any OZEV-authorised WCS installer. Once the chargepoint(s) have been installed, the authorised installer can claim the grant from OZEV on the applicant’s behalf. The chargepoint installation must be completed and the voucher claimed within 6 months of the voucher’s issue date. Claims against expired vouchers will not be paid. Installers must not charge applicants for the grant in advance of payment being made by OZEV. After OZEV reimburses your installer for the value of your voucher, this cost will be discounted from your final invoice. If you apply for less than 40 sockets, you can submit additional applications in the future until you reach that limit. Special rules apply for linked enterprises. OZEV reserves the right to terminate or change the rules of this grant scheme – including the grant level – at any time, although we will endeavour to provide up to 4 weeks’ notice. OZEV will honour any voucher codes that have been issued ahead of any changes to the grant or during any notice period given following the announcement of the scheme’s closure. DefinitionsApplicant A party who has declared an existing or future need for charging infrastructure. For the purposes of this scheme, an applicant can be any eligible business, charity or public sector organisation. Applicants must meet the terms and conditions of the scheme and have permission to install charging infrastructure at designated off-street parking facilities dedicated to staff and/or fleet use. Authorised installer A party that has been authorised to install EV chargepoints by OZEV under the WCS through the process outlined in the guidance for installers. Installers manage the installation of chargepoints at applicant’s sites. The term ‘installer’ in this guidance means ‘authorised installer’. Authorised installer representative A party that has been authorised to sub-contract to installers the installation of chargepoints under the WCS by OZEV. The authorised installer representative remains wholly responsible for ensuring that the installers abide by the relevant terms and conditions of the scheme. If an authorised installer representative’s installer fails to meet the terms and conditions, OZEV may revoke the authorisation of the authorised installer representative. Authorised chargepoint manufacturer A party that manufactures chargepoints that have been authorised under the WCS by OZEV through the process outlined in the guidance for manufacturers. Staff and/or fleet parking Off-street parking that is designated to the applicant and is for their staff or fleet, and not for customer use. Applicants must be able to provide evidence of this on request (for example, details of a parking policy or photographic evidence). The parking facilities must be clearly associated with the applicant’s premises and be either on-site or a reasonable distance from the place of work. Customer parking Parking that is available to be used by the applicant’s customers. Customer parking is not eligible for the WCS. Chargepoint socket (also referred to as ‘chargepoints’ or ‘chargepoint units’) Sockets that are used to charge an EV. There are 4 modes of EV chargepoint socket, and mode 3 and 4 are eligible for WCS. Each socket must have at least a 3kW supply undiminished by simultaneous charging. Modes 1 and 2 (such as a normal 3-pin socket) are not eligible. For more information, refer to the minimum technical specification. Grant eligibility To receive a voucher, the applicant must meet the eligibility criteria set out in this section and agree to the terms and conditions when applying through the WCS application service. Who can apply for the grant The scheme is open to applicant organisations that fulfil all of the following criteria and can prove this using the evidence required. Your organisation must:
Applicants who are part of a linked enterprise A linked enterprise is one where a group of enterprises, such as businesses or companies, are sufficiently linked such that, for state aid purposes, they should be treated as a single undertaking. Franchises should consider whether they meet the following criteria defining a linked enterprise. This will depend on the terms of your franchise agreement. A group of linked enterprises will be treated as a ‘single undertaking’ when either:
Enterprises that have any of these relationships through one or more other enterprises will also be considered to be a single undertaking. More information about linked enterprises can be found in the European Commission’s user guide to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) definition. For applicants that are part of a single undertaking, the maximum limit of 40 sockets applies to the entire single undertaking. Applicants will need to declare that, by receiving the grant, they (or the single undertaking of which they are part) do not exceed the de mimimis state aid limit of €200,000 in the past 3 fiscal years. If you previously applied for the WCS as part of a franchise, you can apply for funding for subsequent chargepoint sockets provided you do not exceed the 40-socket limit. If you are now part of a linked enterprise, this limit will apply to the entire linked enterprise (all parts of it) and the number of sockets available to you will depend on the number of grants previously allocated to all the organisations that are part of that linked enterprise. Where considered necessary, OZEV reserves the right to request further information or documentary evidence from relevant parties in support of any individual claim. Evidence required If your organisation is a registered business, charity or public sector organisation, this should be primarily evidenced by a Companies House reference number. If you do not have this, you may use a VAT registration number. If you have neither of these, you may use an HMRC registration letter. Charities not in possession of any of this documentation can upload a copy of their registration to the Charity Commission or a letter from a principal regulator by using the upload field reserved for the HMRC registration letter. Schools and colleges in England and Wales registered at Get Information about Schools can upload a pdf document of ‘establishment details’ showing the establishment’s ID number. Schools in Northern Ireland registered at Department of Education Institution Search can upload a pdf document of ‘institution details’ showing the institution’s reference number. Schools in Scotland listed at Parentzone Scotland: Parent Zone can upload a pdf document of ‘school details’ showing the school’s SEED number. This can be done by using the upload field reserved for the HMRC registration letter. The person applying for the grant on behalf of a school or college needs to make sure their email address domain matches the email domain of the school or college concerned. If you are unable to provide any of these documents, we will be unable to issue you with a voucher. If you are unsure about the eligibility of your organisation, contact the DVLAat workplacechargingscheme@dvla.gov.uk. State aid requirements Funding granted to organisations through the WCS may constitute state aid, which is generally prohibited under European Union (EU) law. However, small amounts of aid have been deemed compatible with EU law under the de minimis rules (set out in Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013). This allows aid up to €200,000 over a 3-year fiscal period to be given to a single undertaking. Applicant public authorities (see how we define ‘public authority’) are not required to make a de minimis declaration during the WCS application process. All other organisations must make a de minimis declaration during the WCSapplication process provided that they:
In this de minimis declaration, the applicant must declare any support they have received from public sources that was given under de minimis state aid regulations. Organisations that are not a public authority and have received more than €200,000 of state aid in the past 3 fiscal years are not eligible for the WCS. Site eligibility Applicants must have designated off-street parking facilities with spaces dedicated for staff and/or fleet use that are suitable for chargepoint installations. All parking must be designated to the applicant, although the rest of the car park may be shared with other organisations. Each site must:
Working from home If your primary place of work is also a residential property (your home), you can apply for the grant under this scheme as long as your address is listed as your place of business with Companies House or HMRC. Sites that are not eligible for this scheme The following sites are not eligible for the scheme:
OZEV will not grant exceptions for locations that do not meet these eligibility criteria. Before applying Before applying, applicants are encouraged to:
If the applicant does not own or manage the land where they wish to install chargepoints, they must also secure the necessary permissions ahead of making an application. For example, if you have access to off-street parking via a garage or private car park that is provided by a third party, you are eligible for the WCS provided the parking space meets all other eligibility criteria. If you do not own the parking space, however, you will be required to gain written permission from the landlord or owner. Evidence required Applicants must be able to provide evidence on request that the site of installation is linked to the business and that the parking is dedicated wholly to staff and/or fleet use – for example, parking policy or photographic evidence. If a postcode is found to have been used by another company, OZEV may seek evidence that the proposed site is used by more than one commercial entity – for example, a letter from the site owner or landlord. Installer and chargepoint requirements Applicants can only redeem their WCS voucher with authorised installers and against approved chargepoint models. The chosen authorised installer will then claim the grant on their behalf. The grant can be used towards the cost of purchasing and installing a chargepoint. The chargepoints must be brand new and not yet installed. You may provide your own chargepoint if it is on the approved chargepoint model list and you have a manufacturer’s 3-year on-site warranty. However, such equipment will not be eligible for a grant under the WCS. In this instance, only the cost of labour and other parts provided for the installation will be eligible for the grant. You cannot claim against:
Before applying, we strongly advise applicants to check that:
Note that chargepoints are listed at the request of their manufacturers. If your chargepoint is not present, contact the chargepoint manufacturer to confirm why it is not listed. Terms and conditions OZEV reserves the right to take whatever action it deems appropriate if there is any evidence of:
Before applying to the WCS, you must ensure you meet the following terms and conditions:
Ongoing commitments Applicants must:
Applicants must be able to provide the above in electronic form to OZEV if requested. Warranty requirements All chargepoints must have a minimum 3-year on-site warranty on parts and installation from the chargepoint manufacturer in line with the WCS technical specification. You may provide your own chargepoint if it is on the OZEV-approved chargepoint model list and you have a manufacturer’s 3-year on-site warranty. However, such equipment will not be eligible for a grant under the WCS. The installer may claim only for the cost of labour and other parts provided for the installation. If the chargepoint is on the approved list, the installer can claim for the cost of the chargepoint, too. Auditing OZEV will involve a third-party organisation to audit claims and determine compliance with the scheme’s rules, which will require access to WCS data, statements and records held by the applicant and chargepoint installer. Occasionally, there may be an on-site visit that will require access to the chargepoint itself. Tax Since 6 April 2018, if you provide your employees with workplace facilities to charge an EV used by them (including as a passenger), you will not be taxed on the cost of electricity if certain conditions are met. You can find more information in HMRC’s Employment Income Manual. Moving an existing chargepoint If it has been fewer than 3 years since you installed a chargepoint under the scheme and you need to move it, you must contact workplacechargingscheme@dvla.gov.uk requesting permission to do so. In your email, you must include the:
The chargepoint may be moved, but OZEV will not contribute to the cost of doing this. Decommissioning of chargepoints If the chargepoint needs to be removed or taken out of commission within this 3-year period, the DVLA must be informed with a brief explanation why at workplacechargingscheme@dvla.gov.uk. This may result in the grant being reclaimed. Help with wider responsibilities of property owners and managers The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires property managers and owners to assess potential fire risks and put in place adequate and proportionate fire protection measures to mitigate against the risk to life from fire and then maintain them. This should be updated when installing EVchargepoints. The government will produce guidance to aid this assessment for electric vehicle fires, available in early 2022. This will identify mitigations and measures that can be taken when installing electric vehicle chargepoints in enclosed car parks. As such it will help building owners meet their existing duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. How to apply Apply to the Workplace Charging Scheme Apply for the WCS using the online application form. Overview of application process The following is a summary of the process applicants must follow to receive and redeem a voucher towards the installation of chargepoint units under the WCS. 1. Applicant completes online application form. As part of this application, the applicant:
2. Applicant receives a decision from the scheme administrator, by email within 5 working days.
3. Applicant arranges for a WCS-approved authorised installer to complete the installation within 6 months of the voucher expiry date. 4. Installer completes the installation and redeems the voucher online via the installer portal. 5. The applicant will receive an email from DVLA containing the information provided by the installer and confirming the grant level generated by the system. 6. Applicant checks: are the details in the confirmation email accurate?
7. Applicant pays the installer. 8. Installer receives a grant from OZEV within 30 working days. If the installer has not previously claimed any grants from OZEV, payment may take up to 3 months to process. 9. Applicant keeps a record of their claim for 3 years. If chosen for an audit check, the applicant sends OZEV requested documentation including arrangements for a site visit. 10. Applicant responds to customer survey from OZEV. Before applying Before applying, we strongly advise applicants to check they:
Information you need to provide during the application You must apply using the online application form. You will need to provide the following in your application:
How to appeal if your application is unsuccessful If your application is unsuccessful, you may appeal by emailing the DVLA at workplacechargingscheme@dvla.gov.uk. Your case will be reviewed by a manager. The outcome of this appeal is final. Voucher code details and validity If your application is successful, you will be issued with a voucher by email. This will contain a unique code, which will need to be referenced in subsequent documentation related to the scheme. It will also give:
The voucher will be valid for 6 months (180 days). If the installation (or part of it) cannot be completed by your voucher’s expiry date If the installation cannot be completed within the 6-month period specified on the voucher, you will need to email workplacechargingscheme@dvla.gov.uk to withdraw your application and reapply for a new voucher. Vouchers are non-transferable. If some chargepoints on your voucher have been completed by the expiry date but others have not, your installer will need to claim the installations completed and you will need to reapply for a new voucher for the remaining installations not yet completed. In these circumstances, installations completed before the new voucher has been issued will not be eligible. If your circumstances have changed If your circumstances have changed since you originally applied to the WCS, you must contact your authorised installer to inform them of what has changed. They will be able to tell you whether you are still eligible to have a chargepoint installed. You may have to reapply for a voucher with your amended details. If you proceed with your installation following a change in your circumstances that has invalidated your application, OZEV reserves the right to take any action it deems appropriate to reclaim the grant. How to change the site(s) of your intended installation It is not possible to change the site where you wish to install the chargepoints. Vouchers are non-transferable. If you wish to change the site(s) where the chargepoints are due to be installed, you will need to email workplacechargingscheme@dvla.gov.uk and request to withdraw your current voucher and reapply for a new voucher at your preferred site address. Installation of subsequent chargepoints If, for example, a site survey shows greater space and scope for chargepoint installations than was originally anticipated, or you have identified an increased need following an initial installation of chargepoint sockets, you may apply for subsequent vouchers for additional chargepoints and sites – provided your cumulative total does not exceed 40 sockets. For instance, if 10 chargepoint sockets were initially claimed, you will be eligible for 30 further sockets. How to make a complaint If you have any issues with the chargepoint or installer at any time prior, during and after the installation, you should try to resolve these with your authorised chargepoint installer in the first instance. If you feel that your concerns are not being addressed, contact OZEV at chargepoint.grants@ozev.gov.uk. Installer responsibilities Only OZEV-authorised installers can claim the grant on behalf of the applicant. During the WCS voucher redemption process, the installer must provide:
For each installed chargepoint, the installer must:
Installers must not:
Any evidence of non-compliance with the above will be acted on by OZEV and OZEV reserves the right to withhold payment from installers where necessary. Manufacturer responsibilities It’s the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that a valid 3-year on-site warranty is provided to the applicant – either via the installer or directly – at the time of installation. If the manufacturer plans to meet OZEV’s warranty requirements through partners, resellers or installers, this must be explained in the warranty document. The manufacturer is expected to honour this warranty by:
If the manufacturer requires the applicant to return parts of the chargepoint to them, the applicant is not liable for the costs associated with doing so. Enquiries If you have questions regarding which chargepoint model will meet your needs or have any issues with the chargepoint unit or installer throughout the application process, you should discuss this with your chosen authorised EVchargepoint installer. Contact workplacechargingscheme@dvla.gov.uk, stating the voucher code, if you have a query relating to:
Contact chargepoint.grants@ozev.gov.uk if you need to:
OZEV and DVLA are unable to provide remittance advices. |