The Complete Guide to EV Charging for Public Sector Fleets
In this guide, we explore how to implement powerful, reliable EV charging for public sector fleets.
The transport sector produces 29% of all carbon emissions in the UK.
The Government is committed to 100% of its vans and cars being emission-free by 2027.
91% of all UK local authorities have made some form of net-zero commitment.
Why are public sector bodies switching their fleets to EVs?
Across the UK, local authorities and other public sector services are decarbonising their fleets in response to increasing regulatory pressure and sustainability commitments.
By 2035, all new vehicle sales in the UK must be zero emissions. This means that the public sector will need to adapt to run a fleet of EVs, to ensure that fleet remains modern and fit for purpose. Furthermore, many local authorities and other public organisations have already set their own net-zero commitments.
To achieve the transition to EVs, every public sector fleet will need a way to charge its vehicles effectively and affordably. Therefore, it is just as important to electrify the depot alongside the vehicles through the implementation of high-performance EV charging infrastructure.
What funding is available for public sector EV fleets?
The Government offers various support models to help organisations expand their EV fleet. In November 2025, the government announced:
- An extension to first-year allowances for EVs and charging infrastructure. This helps to alleviate the initial costs when purchasing new vehicles and charging equipment.
- An additional £1.3 billion for the EV grant scheme, to lower the cost of purchasing EVs. This will mean the scheme can last through to 2030.
Beyond the Autumn 2025 Budget, there is an extensive list of grants and schemes available to fleet operators. Speak to our experts to learn more about how to secure this funding and make the most of it.
How do you design an EV charging solution for public sector fleets?
No two depots or fleets are the same. Public sector fleets vary widely in function, service area and capabilities. To implement an effective EV charging solution, we turn to our design and consultancy team to create a bespoke charging strategy that addresses your needs.
Our team will visit the locations your fleet operates from, taking the time to understand day-to-day operations. During the information gathering process, further data will be collated surrounding power supply and demand, vehicle schedules, required uptime and the types of vehicles required.
Once our team has built a detailed picture of your organisation, a comprehensive plan is created, which you can use as a basis for issuing an EV charging installation tender. After working with our design and consultancy team, you can also use Mer to turn your new strategy into action, since we can also install and manage the solution ourselves, saving on costs and administrative effort.
What else should public sector fleet operators know about EV charging?
At Mer, we offer a variety of funding models for EV charging infrastructure, depending on your needs and budget. For instance, charging equipment might be prohibitively expensive when compared to your fleet’s planned usage. Therefore, you might opt for Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS), which means that Mer handles the operations and maintenance of the infrastructure, while the amount you pay is dependent on usage.
The advantage of CaaS is that you can easily scale the solution as your EV fleet expands. When budgets are tight, it forgoes the need to front large amounts of capital for the initial installation costs, since Mer can help to cover this. There are also the options of part- or self-funded financial models.
Ultimately, we aim to accommodate your needs and work with you to create a bespoke solution.
Mer has over nine years of experience in developing practical EV charging solutions, with sustainability and good governance as a core focus. Our solutions can be connected to renewable energy sources such as solar panels, which can help to deliver emission-free energy to the chargers.
Meanwhile, our extensive back-office data and analytics tools allow you to demonstrate your carbon savings by utilising the chargers. This is vital for providing tangible proof of your decarbonisation efforts in your ESG reporting.
We offer an extensive array of aftercare tools once the EV charging solution has been installed. This can range from robust service level agreements which cover pre-emptive maintenance support, 24/7 UK-based helplines and much more.
