If you operate a fleet in the UK (vans, HGVs, coaches or a business car fleet) and you’re planning depot charging, there are several government-backed grants and funds designed to reduce upfront cost and speed up rollout. Below I’ve summarised the main schemes that directly help fleet depots, workplaces, and state-funded education institutions, including eligibility criteria, the amounts available, and when each scheme is open until. I’ve also added practical tips for operators at the end.

1) Depot Charging Scheme (for fleet depots — HGVs, vans, coaches)

What it is: A dedicated scheme to support fleet operators with charging infrastructure at depots (including heavier vehicles). It is explicitly targeted at depot installations.

Amount / what it covers

  • Covers up to 75% of eligible chargepoint and civil works costs.
  • Maximum award: up to £1,000,000 across all sites for a single organisation.
  • Eligible costs typically include chargepoints, civil works, cable works and associated installation (check official guidance for exact inclusions/exclusions).

Eligibility (high-level)

  • Designed for fleet operators of vans, HGVs and coaches (commercial fleets).
  • Applicants usually must be an organisation (not a private individual) and provide information about the fleet, depot locations, technical plans and costs. Full eligibility rules and supporting documentation requirements are on the programme pages.

When it’s available

  • The current application window (as published on the government grants portal) opened 16 July 2025 and closes 28 November 2025 (check the grant page for any updates or further rounds).

2) Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) — workplaces, staff charging and small fleet needs

What it is: Voucher-based support to help workplaces (businesses, charities, public sector and some accommodation businesses) install chargepoint sockets at sites. Good for staff parking, pool cars and smaller depot-like facilities.

Amount / what it covers

  • Up to £350 per charging socket (covers up to 75% of costs including VAT, subject to the per-socket cap).
  • Maximum: up to 40 sockets across all sites per applicant (effectively a cap of £350 × 40 = £14,000 of support if all sockets are claimed).

Eligibility (high-level)

  • Open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations and (separately) schools and some accommodation providers depending on the route.
  • The installer claims the voucher on your behalf — you must use an OZEV-approved installer and follow the scheme rules.

When it’s available

  • Funding for the WCS has been confirmed until 31 March 2026. Funding is finite and the scheme may close earlier if budgets are used up — treat this as a rolling, first-come, first-served resource while it’s open.

3) Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets (SME-focused infrastructure grant)

What it is: Aimed at small and medium-sized businesses to support the wider enabling infrastructure (wiring, groundwork, future-proofing parking spaces) needed for multiple chargepoint sockets — useful where depot preparation is required before or during charger installs.

Amount / what it covers

  • Up to 75% of eligible costs.
  • Maximum grant value: up to £15,000 per property. Within that limit you can receive:
    • up to £350 per chargepoint socket installed, and
    • up to £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure.

Eligibility (high-level)

  • Targeted at SMEs (check the SME definition in the scheme guidance). Intended for building and installation works to enable multiple future sockets — useful for depot upgrades where significant civils or wiring is needed.

When it’s available

  • The EVC/Infrastructure grant elements are published on the government grant pages and have been available through the current funding round — check the live grant page for application windows and closing dates.

4) State-Funded Education Institutions: EV Charging Grants

What it is: A dedicated strand of the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) tailored to state-funded schools, colleges, nurseries, academies and other education providers. This is to help institutions install EV charging infrastructure for staff, visitors and in some cases for fleet use.

Amount / what it covers

  • Up to 75% of purchase and installation costs.
  • Up to £2,500 per chargepoint socket.
  • Maximum of 40 sockets across all the institution’s sites (including any previously claimed under the main WCS).

Eligibility (high-level)

  • Applicant must be a state-funded education institution.
  • Must have dedicated off-street parking for staff and/or visitors.
  • Must use an authorised OZEV installer.
  • Cannot double-claim the same sockets under multiple schemes.

When it’s available

  • The scheme is open until 31 March 2025 in its current round (subject to voucher validity periods). Institutions planning installations should apply well ahead of this date.

Quick comparison (at-a-glance)

  • Depot Charging Scheme — up to 75%, up to £1,000,000, open 16 Jul – 28 Nov 2025.
  • Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) — £350 per socket, up to 40 sockets, open until 31 Mar 2026.
  • EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff & Fleets (SMEs) — up to 75%, up to £15,000 per property.
  • State-funded Education WCS — £2,500 per socket, max 40 sockets, open until 31 Mar 2025.

Practical application tips for depot operators

  1. Read the official guidance and apply via the government portal — the grant pages contain the exact eligibility checklist and required evidence.
  2. Get an OZEV-approved installer / professional bid pack ready — most schemes require installer involvement and technical cost breakdowns.
  3. Plan grid connection & engage early with your DNO — grid upgrades can take months and are not always fully funded by grants.
  4. Model duty cycles and charging profiles — funders want evidence that charging will meet operational needs.
  5. Look at blended funding — you may be able to combine Depot Charging Scheme support with WCS or SME infrastructure grants (without double-counting costs).

Time your applications carefully — WCS is open until March 2026, the Depot Charging Scheme closes November 2025, and the education scheme runs to March 2025. Apply early.

Final notes

Government EV grants are evolving quickly. The schemes outlined above are correct at the time of writing, but funding windows, eligibility and budgets change frequently. Always confirm details on the official gov.uk or Find a Grant pages before applying.