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With the UK on the mission to stop the sales of all non-zero emission vehicles by 2030, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and EV chargers are at an all-time high.
While the public network for EV stations is also growing rapidly in order to keep up with the shift to electric cars, more and more people are installing EV charge points in their homes and offices as well.
Other than the type of charger and the feature that it offers, a very important point to consider when buying and installing an EV charger is its cost.
Luckily, there are government grants that help cut down the purchase and installation cost for EV chargers up to a maximum of £350.
There are, however, a few criteria that determine whether or not you are eligible for the grant, one of which includes the EV charger installed by an OZEV-approved installer.
Read on to find out more about the OZEV grant, what it is, what it means to be an OZEV-approved EV charger installer, and whether Calder Electrical is one:
The OZEV (Office of Zero Emission Vehicles) grant, formerly known as the OLEV (Office of Low Emission Vehicles) grant is a government initiative for EV owners to support the transition from petrol-fuelled cars to electric vehicles.
EV owners who are eligible for the OZEV grant can claim up to 75% of the total cost of purchasing and installing EV charging points, up to a maximum of £350.
In order to be eligible for the grant, you must have an OZEV-approved electric vehicle installed by an OZEV-approved installer, among other requirements.
Previously, all homeowners could take advantage of the OZEV grant, but as of 1st April 2022, it is no longer available for homeowners living in single-unit properties. It is still applicable to most landlords, tenants, flat owners, and small business owners.
The OZEV grant, also called the EV chargepoint grant, is there to help cut down the cost of installing an EV charger on your property.
The EV chargepoint grant has replaced the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) and now includes the following:
In order to apply for the grant, you need to:
For flat owners and occupiers, the OZEV grant gives a 75% contribution to the purchase and installation cost of one EV charger.
Previously, you could claim up to 2 EV chargers, but that is not the case anymore. A few other things have also changed, such as homeowners with dedicated parking no longer eligible for the grant.
If you are a landlord for a domestic or commercial property, you can apply for funding to have an EV charger installed. The process to apply for the grant differs depending on the type of landlord you are.
The grant provides the same amount to landlords as it does to flat owners, i.e., 75% of the total cost up to £350. For residential properties, you can receive up to 200 grants a year, and an additional 100 for commercial properties. They may be for one property only or spread across a number of properties.
If you are a business, charity, or public sector organisation, you can apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) run by the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
The WCS also covers up to 75% of the total cost and is capped at a maximum of £350 per socket for 40 sockets across several sites per applicant.
All electric vehicles are eligible for the OZEV grant; however, some plug-in hybrids may not make the cut based on their emissions. In order to be eligible for the OZEV grant, the hybrid vehicle’s CO2 emissions must be less than 50g/km.
Since you cannot apply for an OZEV grant yourself, if you’re eligible, you need to make a claim through an OZEV-approved installer.
The OZEV-approved installer will ask you to prove your eligibility before beginning the application process. Once the application has been approved, the installer will deduct the OZEV grant from the final invoice.
At Calder Electrical, all of our EV installers are OZEV-approved and can help you save money on the installation process. You may look for us in this list of authorised OZEV-approved installers published by the UK government.
Our OZEV certification allows us to offer a complete service which includes:
The EV charger installation process starts with picking the right charging point and hiring an OZEV-approved installer to apply for the grant and start the installation process.
Here is what happens during an EV charger installation:
Each EV charger installation task is different but a typical one takes on average around 2 hours to complete.
The total time depends mainly on the type and number of EV chargers. A simple residential EV charger would take much less time than a complex multi-charger installation in a commercial setting.
There are a few steps you can take on your end to make sure the installation process is a smooth one:
EV sales are increasing year after year, and soon traditional petrol cars will be completely phased out of the market. The increase in EVs has led to an increase in the demand for EV chargers, which has led to an increase in the demand for OZEV-approved EV charger installers.
Having your EV charger installed by an OZEV-approved installer is just as important as choosing the right EV charger. Hiring an OZEV-approved EV installer is well worth the money, whether you need a residential or commercial EV charger installation.
Not only does it assure safety and regulatory compliance but also makes you eligible for an OZEV grant. The reason for this is that these installers have undergone proper training that ensures they are the perfect fit for the job.
OZEV-approved EV charger installers are knowledgeable, fit, and qualified. By hiring an OZEV-approved installer, you not only prevent problems in the installation but also save money.
OZEV-approved EV charger installers:
The price of a domestic EV charger installation is around £800. It may vary depending on the installer, manufacturer, and speed of the charger.
A typical 3kW system is priced at £250 to £500, while a 7kW charger is priced at £450 to £800. You can get a government grant of up to £350 to offset the installation costs if you fall within the eligibility criteria of the OZEV grant.
The price of a commercial EV charger installation is around £1000 to £1500, depending on the number of chargers installed, the type, and other installation specifics such as cables, fixtures, etc.
Like the OZEV grant for domestic properties, businesses can be eligible for a Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), which is a voucher-based scheme that helps with the up-front costs of installing a commercial charging point for businesses and organisations eligible for it.
It enables businesses to claim £350 per charging point for a maximum of 40 chargers across all sites, and even includes a single unit that incorporates two charging ports, i.e., a dual EV charger, so you would be eligible for a grant of up to £700 for this.
Here’s the big question: is it worth it to have an EV charger installed on your property?
Although public chargers are becoming more common, it is still convenient and often necessary to be able to charge your EVs at home and at your workplace.
Here are all the reasons it is worth it to have an EV charger installed by an OZEV-approved installer:
Compared to using public charging points, it is cheaper to have a home or office EV charger as you can schedule the charging times when the tariff is low. There are also solar EV chargers that make use of excess solar power during times of scheduled use.
A properly installed home EV charger can charge your car’s battery to full capacity anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour depending on the charging speed of the charger.
Although some public charging stations have rapid chargers, they are not cheap. Plus, at home, you don’t have to wait in line for your turn to charge your car!
By having your own EV charger, you can charge your EV anytime during the day or night according to your convenience. You don’t have to go anywhere to charge your car and can simply do it at home or work.
Having a busy schedule can often make it difficult to find the time to drive around and look for the nearest public charging station. The majority of home and office EV chargers are compatible with a range of EVs and allow you to charge your cars at your convenience.
Continuous use and constant charging can take a toll on your EVs battery and make it less efficient over time. When relying solely on public charging stations, you may not charge your EV completely all the time due to several reasons such as time constraints, and end up with battery degradation.
By having the option to charge your EV at home or work, you can keep the battery in top shape and charge it at its scheduled time.
Since EVs and EV chargers are taking over the automobile industry, having an EV charger installed on your property can increase its value.
A home with an EV charger is likely to sell at a higher price than one without a charger. This is particularly lucrative for EV owners which, in the near future, will be everyone in the UK.
At Calder Electrical, we can install EV chargers for domestic and commercial premises in line with the current regulations and can offer a government incentive to reduce installation costs.
We are authorised and registered OZEV installers and our charge points come with a 3-year warranty.
If you own an EV or are planning to buy one, you will want to maximise recharge times and efficiency by installing an OZEV-approved charger in your home. Our team can visit you and survey your house to help determine your needs and requirements.
There are various chargers currently on the market and it can be a little confusing to choose the best one for your home. We will take out the hassle and provide you with the most suitable and affordable option, ranging from the standard systems to the smart ones that are becoming increasingly popular.
Similarly, if you have a business that is looking to help employees or customers/clients charge their EVs at the workplace, you may contact us right away.
We offer all kinds of different options to choose from such as wall-mounted to freestanding pedestal units, and from fast charging to rapid charging units.
Depending on the size and demand of the premises, our experts will help assess the best solution for your business’s needs.
We can also offer a PAYG (Pay as you go) charging system and token-fed chargers with features focused on both the user and operator. This is something a lot of businesses are looking at currently as the market for EVs and chargers increases year after year.
Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 3001 for a quick consultation with our leading industry experts and more information on OZEV-approved EV charger installations!
