By James Whitfield | Quick Guides
Renters and flat owners in the UK can now claim up to £500 towards a home EV charger, up from £350 previously, under a government scheme run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). The rate rose on 1 April 2026 and is confirmed until 31 March 2027 — but the application process changed at the same time, and a few new rules can catch people out.
This guide covers who actually qualifies, what’s different since April, and the parts of the process most other write-ups skip over.
Quick Facts: EV Charger Grant 2026
- Grant amount: 75% of the combined chargepoint and installation cost, up to £500 per socket
- Increased from: £350 (before 1 April 2026)
- Runs until: 31 March 2027
- Who runs it: Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), part of the Department for Transport
- Who qualifies: renters and flat owners (including shared ownership) with private off-street parking and an OZEV-approved vehicle
- Who doesn’t: owner-occupiers of houses with a driveway — excluded since April 2022
- One grant per person: you can’t claim this plus a predecessor scheme (EVHS or the Domestic Recharge Scheme)
- Key rule: your chargepoint must not be installed before OZEV confirms your eligibility
What Is the EV Charger Grant for Renters and Flat Owners?
The EV charger grant for renters and flat owners covers 75% of the cost of buying and installing a home chargepoint socket, up to £500, according to GOV.UK. It’s aimed specifically at people who can’t get the standard homeowner grant because they don’t own a house with a driveway — flat owners, leaseholders, and tenants.
OZEV administers it, and your installer submits the claim on your behalf once the work is done — you don’t pay OZEV directly, and the discount is deducted from your final invoice. A separate, similarly-structured grant exists for landlords installing chargepoints at rental properties, and another for households with on-street parking only, which we cover below.
Who Qualifies — and Who Doesn’t
You qualify if you own and live in a flat (including through shared ownership) or rent any residential property, your home has its own private off-street parking space, and you own or use a vehicle on OZEV’s approved list. The parking space doesn’t have to be part of the property, but you need proof that you own it or have the legal right to use it.
You’re excluded if you own a house with a driveway (unless it’s been converted into flats and you live in just one), if you’re a lodger renting from a landlord who also lives there, if you’re planning to move, or if you’ve already claimed this grant or its predecessors — the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) or the Domestic Recharge Scheme, per GOV—UK’s eligibility guidance. New builds where a chargepoint is a legal requirement under Part S of the Building Regulations don’t qualify either, since the grant only tops up voluntary installations.
Renters need written permission from their landlord and, if the property is leasehold, from the freeholder too. Flat owners need permission from the freeholder or managing agent. This has to be arranged before you apply, not after.
What Changed on 1 April 2026
Three things changed alongside the rate rise, and they matter more than the headline £500 figure. The application process moved to a new platform; claims now require specific photo evidence; and OZEV has set an initial 10-working-day processing estimate — all detailed in OZEV’s own guidance published on 25 February 2026 and last updated on 27 May 2026.
New application platform. Applications now go through the Find a Grant service rather than the old portal. The previous portal closed to new customer applications on 31 March 2026 and to installer claims on 26 May 2026; anyone with a claim still on the old system had until 6 July 2026 to submit further evidence if OZEV requested it.
Photo evidence is now mandatory. Installers claiming on your behalf must submit four specific photos: a close-up of the chargepoint, a shot showing its model and serial number, a photo of the chargepoint next to your parking space, and a wide shot of the building or area where it’s fitted. Incomplete photo evidence is one of the most common reasons applications now stall, according to installer guidance from Elecology.
If you applied before 1 April 2026 at the old £350 rate and haven’t had your chargepoint installed yet, you can reapply for the £500 rate — but tell your installer first, since reapplying cancels your original application and starts a new assessment.
How to Apply, Step by Step
You apply in three stages: get a quote, gather permissions, then submit online — and the chargepoint can’t go in until OZEV has confirmed you’re eligible. Installing early, even by a day, can forfeit the grant entirely.
- Get a dated quote from an OZEV-authorised installer for an OZEV-approved chargepoint model.
- Collect your documents: the installer’s quote, written permission from your landlord or freeholder, a utility bill showing your name and address, and a copy of your tenancy agreement if you’re renting. Listed buildings also need local authority permission.
- Submit your application through the Find a Grant service and wait for OZEV’s confirmation before any work begins.
- After approval, your installer fits the chargepoint, takes the required photos, and submits the claim on your behalf — the £500 is deducted from your invoice.
EV Chargepoint Grant Routes in 2026
| Grant | Who it’s for | Max grant | Runs until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renters and flat owners grant | Tenants, flat owners, shared ownership, with off-street parking | £500 per socket | 31 March 2027 |
| Households with on-street parking grant | No driveway, on-street parking only, installing a cross-pavement channel | £500 per socket | 31 March 2027 |
| Residential landlord chargepoint grant | Landlords installing at rental properties | £500 per socket, up to 200 sockets/year | 31 March 2027 |
Source: GOV.UK, “Changes to electric vehicle chargepoint grant schemes from 1 April 2026,” Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, updated 27 May 2026.
No Off-Street Parking? There’s a Different Grant
If you park entirely on the street with no driveway, garage, or allocated space, the renters and flat owners grant won’t apply — but the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking might. It covers the same 75%, up to £500, provided you install a permanent cross-pavement charging channel (not a temporary cable cover) with your local highways authority’s permission, according to GOV.UK.
What Will It Actually Cost You?
A typical 7kW home EV charger installation costs around £1,000, according to trade comparison site Checkatrade. Since the grant covers 75% of costs up to a £500 ceiling, that cap kicks in at any installation costing roughly £667 or more — below that, you’d only get 75% of the actual bill, not the full £500. On a £1,000 job, the grant leaves you with roughly £500 to pay; on a straightforward £700 install, you’d pay closer to £200.
FAQ: EV Charger Grant 2026
How much is the EV charger grant worth in 2026?
Up to £500 per socket, covering 75% of the combined chargepoint and installation cost, for applications from 1 April 2026 onward.
Can homeowners with a driveway claim this grant?
No. Owner-occupiers of houses with a driveway have been excluded since April 2022, when the old Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme closed to them.
Do I need my landlord’s permission before applying?
Yes. Written permission from your landlord (and the freeholder, if leasehold) must be in place before you submit your application, not arranged afterward.
Can I install my charger before the grant is approved?
No. OZEV must confirm your eligibility first. Installing before approval can void the grant entirely, regardless of how strong your application otherwise is.
What if I already applied at the old £350 rate?
You can reapply for the £500 rate if your chargepoint hasn’t been installed yet, but you need to tell your installer first, as reapplying cancels your original application.
The EV charger grant for renters and flat owners is worth up to £500 in 2026, but the process now runs through a new platform with stricter evidence requirements than before. Get your permissions and installer quote sorted first, wait for OZEV’s confirmation, and the rest is largely paperwork.
If you’re weighing up the wider cost of running an EV at home, our guides on sustainable living and eco-friendly home solutions,
cost-effective interior design for rental properties
Saving £300 a year on UK energy bills covers related ground worth reading alongside this one.
Small Business & Productivity Writer
James Whitfield writes about the tools, software, and automation that help UK freelancers and small businesses work smarter. He tests apps hands-on and breaks down what actually works, without the jargon.