Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
Workplace EV charger grant in NI
Businesses, charities, public-sector bodies and small accommodation businesses can claim 75% off each chargepoint socket, up to £500, for up to 40 sockets across all their sites. State-funded schools can claim up to £2,000 per socket.
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What the Workplace Charging Scheme pays
- 75%
- Of the purchase and install cost per socket
- £500
- Maximum grant per socket (standard rate)
- 40
- Sockets across all your sites
- £2,000
- Per socket for state-funded schools
Who is eligible
The WCS covers a wide range of organisations. If you have off-street parking at the site, you're likely in scope.
Businesses
Registered companies of any size with off-street parking for staff or fleet vehicles. The classic use case: future-proof the car park and offer charging as a staff perk.
Charities
Registered charities qualify on the same 75% up to £500 per socket basis, useful for community premises and charity-run sites with parking.
Public sector
Public-sector organisations can equip their sites. State-funded schools and colleges get the higher £2,000-per-socket rate under the education provision.
Small accommodation businesses
B&Bs, guest houses, small hotels and campsites count too, helping you offer EV charging to guests as a draw.
The conditions
- You have dedicated off-street parking at the site for the chargepoints.
- Sockets are installed by an OZEV-authorised commercial installer who makes the claim.
- You're claiming for an eligible organisation type (business, charity, public sector or small accommodation business).
- Each NI install is notified to NIE Networks as part of the work.
Last reviewed: 11 July 2026. The per-socket cap rose from £350 to £500 on 1 April 2026 (for installations completed on or after that date), and funding is confirmed to 31 March 2027. Confirm current eligibility on the official scheme listing and Infrastructure NI guidance before you apply.
Education settings
Schools claim up to £2,000 per socket
State-funded schools, colleges and academies get a higher grant rate than other organisations, four times the standard cap, to reflect the cost of installing across larger education sites.
The 40-socket organisation limit still applies, so plan which car parks and entrances to prioritise.
How your organisation claims
The Workplace Charging Scheme is voucher-based. You apply, then an authorised installer does the paperwork.
- 01
Apply for your voucher
You apply online for a WCS voucher, choosing how many sockets you want within the 40-socket ceiling across all your sites. Approval comes back quickly and the voucher code is valid for 180 days (six months).
- 02
Get quotes and choose an installer
We match you with vetted, OZEV-authorised commercial installers covering your part of NI. They survey the site and quote for the job.
- 03
The installer redeems it and fits
Your chosen installer redeems the voucher, deducts the grant from your invoice (up to £500 a socket), completes the work within the 180-day window and notifies NIE Networks for each NI install.
Planning for vans or company cars? See our guide to fleet EV charging in NI.
Workplace Charging Scheme: common questions
What is the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The WCS is the OZEV grant for organisations rather than households. It pays 75% of the cost to buy and install each chargepoint socket, capped at £500 per socket, for up to 40 sockets across all of an organisation's sites. State-funded schools and colleges get a higher cap of £2,000 per socket.
How many sockets can a business claim for?
Up to 40 sockets in total across all your sites. You don't have to fit them all at once, but the 40-socket ceiling applies to the organisation as a whole, not per location.
Do schools get a different rate?
Yes. State-funded schools, colleges and other education settings can claim up to £2,000 per socket rather than the standard £500, which reflects the higher cost of installing on larger education sites.
Can a small B&B or guest house claim?
Yes. Small accommodation businesses such as B&Bs, guest houses and campsites are eligible, which is a practical way to offer guest charging. You need dedicated off-street parking and a registered installer to make the claim.
How is the workplace grant claimed?
It is voucher-based. You apply online for a WCS voucher, then pass the code to an OZEV-authorised commercial installer who redeems it and deducts the grant from your invoice, so you pay the reduced price per socket. The voucher is valid for 180 days. Funding is confirmed to 31 March 2027, and you should confirm current rules on OZEV guidance before applying.
Ready to get quotes for your site?
See how workplace EV charging works for employers, or tell us about your site and we'll match you with vetted NI commercial installers who claim the grant for you. Free and no obligation.
No obligation · We never charge you