Overview
The UK Government recently announced a comprehensive series of new and overhauled EV charger grants and price incentives, many of which are beneficial to fleet operators looking to make the switch to EVs. With less than a decade to go before the 2030 deadline for phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, these initiatives help to lower the barrier of entry for businesses looking to go electric.
In this article we explore several new and recurring grants to help you understand the funding options available from the government in 2025.
Which EV charging grants help reduce infrastructure costs?
The Depot Charging Scheme
The new Depot Charging Scheme offers financial support for fleet operators to install EV charging infrastructure. So far, the Government has announced £30 million in funding which covers 75% of charge point and civil costs incurred by business owners.
To qualify, applicants must be registered UK fleet operators and either own their own depot or have permission from their landlord for charge points to be installed. Additionally, you must own, lease, or order at least one battery electric van, HGV or coach as part of your fleet.
There are heavy time constraints on this scheme. The closing date is 28th November 2025, but the scheme will close early if the funding is allocated sooner. All applicants must have sufficient grid capacity at their depot site and complete the charge point installation by 31st March 2026.
In summary, to receive funding from the Depot Charging Scheme you must:
- Be a registered fleet operator or hold appropriate permissions
- Own or lease at least one battery electric vehicle
- Have sufficient grid capacity to meet your needs
- Apply by 28th November 2025
- Complete the installation by 31st March 2026
If you can meet these conditions, the government website is your next stop (1).
The Workplace Charging Scheme
The existing Workplace Charging Scheme has been extended to 31st March 2026. This funding is available to site owners looking to purchase and install EV charging infrastructure, and the amount per business has increased from £14,000 last year to £15,000 in 2025.
Furthermore, Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and charities are now eligible. Find out more in our 2024 EV grants and incentives article.
Which grant can help to expand my fleet of electric vehicles?
Running since 2012, the Plug-in Van and Truck Grant (PIVG) offers a 35% discount on a selection of vans and eHGVs. Reducing the upfront costs of an EV fleet transition makes this scheme attractive but take care to ensure your vehicles meet the following criteria:
Both small and large vans must:
- Have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km.
- Be able to travel for at least 96km with zero emissions.
Small vans have a maximum discount of £2,500, and must:
- Weigh less than 2,500kg.
Examples include the Toyota Proace City Electric and the Vauxhall Combo-e.
Large vans have a maximum discount of £5,000 and must:
- Weigh between 2,500 to 4,250kg
Popular models are Ford E-Transit and Nissan Townstar L2.
EV Trucks
In 2016, the Government added trucks to the scheme which has helped accelerate the adoption of electric HGVs. These vehicles are split into small and large trucks, referred to as N2 and N3 vehicles respectively.
As with vans, there are common criteria with both:
- CO2 emissions must be 50% less than the equivalent ICE vehicle of the same capacity.
- Be able to travel for at least 96km emission free.
Small trucks have a maximum discount of £16,000 and must:
- Weigh between 4,250kg and 12,000kg.
Currently, only five models of small truck are eligible for the grant.
Large trucks can come with a saving of up to £25,000 and must:
- Weigh over 12,000 kg.
There is a much wider variety of models available within this category, but the Renault D-Range and Volvo FH HGVs are leaders in the field.
Act fast – there is a limited number of grants available each year, and the scheme is scheduled to close by the start of 2027. The application process and full grant details can be found on the PIVG eligibility page (2).
Are there any new grants for electric cars that will benefit fleet owners?
Since 16th of July 2025, certain EV car manufacturers have been able to apply for subsidies to lower the cost of their EVs. This means that for EVs under the price of £37,000, there can be savings up to £3,750 for purchasers.
This is an enormous benefit for fleet owners, as it will help them to rapidly expand their fleet in conjunction with the funding for building their charging infrastructure. This is particularly useful for company car fleets with salary sacrifice schemes already in place.
No action is required by fleet operators because the application process is handled by the manufacturers.
What else has the Government announced that will help businesses to make the transition to electric vehicles?
Firstly, there are numerous tax breaks such as the First-Year Allowance (FYA). This allows businesses to write off 100% of new EVs and chargers against their taxable profits in the first year. This break ends in March 2026.
The Government has also strengthened the domestic EV supply chain through the £2.5 billion DRIVE35 initiative. This capital is being invested into supporting factories for battery and vehicle production, as well as research and development. The Government is keen to demonstrate its confidence in the transition to the EVs; through investments such as these, fleet operators will receive longer-term benefits ranging from cheaper vehicles to improved technology such as battery range.
Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be a strong year for fleet operators looking to make the switch to EVs with the wide range of support available. Meanwhile, for those who are already embarking on their own EV transition process, these initiatives will help to further drive your depot’s EV expansion.
Find out more
If you are interested in finding out more about how you can electrify your fleet and future proof it, download our depot charging e-guide.
Sources
- https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/depot-charging-scheme-1
- https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/plug-in-van-and-truck-grant-1#eligibility
