Doshi Accountants provides tax services and serves as a tax advisor to a score of clients across the UK. Many of our clients have been quizzing us about what the Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme is all about. So, we decided to assist you as usual with all the pointers neatly jotted down.

The OZEV more commonly known as the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme or ‘EVHS’ is geared towards making electric vehicles more convenient and preferred. The scheme basically offers the drivers of electric vehicles around 75% off on the total amount charged towards the new smart home electric vehicle charger they set-p. The maximum amount that is offered here is £500 which was till the 1st of April 2020 and now it is £350 (inclusive of VAT).

Who would be eligible for the grant?

In order to qualify for this grant, you need to have the following, put in place:

• - You need to have off-street parking like a driveway or even a garage
• - The charger being used needs to be of smart technology so perhaps if you have the old school style, you need to consider an upgrade
• - Furthermore, the charger that is installed has to be installed by only an approved OZEV installer

When does a vehicle qualify for the grant?

Most of the plug-in type of vehicles do qualify for this OZEV (EVHS) grant. However, the catch here is that CO2 emissions for a plug-in hybrid vehicle needs to have been calculated to be below 75g per kilometre.

Also, per (eligible) vehicle only one charger is claimable. Furthermore, in one household, this grant can only be stretched up to two such vehicles and not more.

What type of charger is required?

A smart charging point can be remotely accessed and is characterised by the ability to receive, interpret and react to signals.

Perhaps the reason the government is encouraging the use of such a power point over the traditional ones is since the electricity consumption does not demand high peaks of the same and so reduces the burden that electric vehicles place on the electrical system.

How can the claim for the grant be done?

The process is made easier as the installers are supposed to help you in the process. In the process of installation, you will be asked a few basic questions and then move on to the submission of the application. So, the installer will submit the same on your behalf. If you are found to qualify for the grant then the full amount of the grant will be deducted from what the total cost is towards your home charger’s installation.

More good news for electric car drivers (in Scotland)

Apart from the OZEV (EVHS) grant, there is an additional element added by the Scottish Government in the form of an additional grant. This works out to £300 that is given by the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland. Interestingly, just as is done in the EVHS grant, the installers will look after the claim process in this one too so you need not worry about the claim process. 

More for the Workplace

The OZEV has also introduced a Workplace Charging Scheme. Basically, it is to aid businesses in beginning this journey towards smart charging points at the workplace. A maximum of 40 new smart charging points would be considered. One important thing to remember here is that the installation needs to be over and one with and the grant should be claimed within a period of 120 days as if not done within this timeframe, you would need to start a re-application process.