The UK Government has announced a new boost to electric mobility through a more than 40% increase in grants for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging points, one of the main barriers to EV adoption. The expanded support will cover almost half the cost of a typical installation, offering grants of up to £500 per charge point, and will remain in place until March 2027.

The measure will benefit renters, flat owners, landlords, households without off-street parking, and businesses, significantly reducing the upfront costs of installing home and workplace chargers. According to the government, the higher grants will enable thousands more drivers to access cheaper domestic electricity tariffs, allowing them to charge their vehicles for as little as 2 pence per mile — equivalent to travelling from London to Birmingham for around £3.50.

Cutting barriers to accelerate EV adoption

The increased subsidies form part of a broader government strategy to tackle the two main obstacles to EV uptake: high upfront costs and concerns about access to charging infrastructure.

Official figures show that EV drivers can save up to £1,400 per year in running costs compared with a similar petrol car when using cheaper domestic tariffs. By expanding access to home and workplace charging, the government aims to ensure that more households and businesses can benefit from these savings.

The policy is also designed to support the UK business community as it prepares for the widespread electrification of transport. According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), 51% of small firms say that more charging infrastructure would encourage them to switch to electric vehicles.

Simplifying the grants system

Alongside the increase in funding, the government has announced a streamlining of the EV chargepoint support schemes, reducing the number of grant types from eight to five. The reform aims to simplify access, improve clarity, and make it easier for households and businesses to identify and apply for the right support.

From 1 April 2026, eligible groups — including renters, flat owners, landlords, households with on-street parking, and businesses — will be able to claim grants of up to £500 per charge point, up from the previous £350. In addition, schools will be eligible for grants of up to £2,000 per socket, building on the more than 3,700 sockets already installed nationwide.

Expanding public charging and support for homes without driveways

In parallel, the government continues to expand the UK’s public charging network, which now exceeds 88,500 charge points nationwide. Last year, £600 million in funding was announced to accelerate the rollout, alongside plans to support the installation of 100,000 additional public chargers over the coming years.

A separate £25 million scheme is also in place to help residents without driveways install home charging solutions. Delivered through local authorities, the programme supports the installation of discreet, embedded pavement channels, enabling safe and practical on-street charging.

Government commitment to affordable EV ownership

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said the government is committed to making electric vehicle ownership affordable and accessible to all.

“We’re taking action to make EV ownership the affordable choice for everyone — not just those with driveways. Bigger grants mean families, flat owners, renters and small businesses can now install a charger for almost half the usual cost, with home charging costing as little as 2p a mile,” he said.

Broad industry and sector support

The move has been welcomed by business and property sector representatives. The Federation of Small Businesses highlighted that reducing cost barriers is crucial to accelerating EV adoption, while the National Residential Landlords Association stressed that nearly nine in ten landlords with suitable properties would install EV charge points if tenants requested it, particularly when supported by grants.

Manufacturers’ association BEAMA added that its members have already installed more than half a million charge points across the UK, and said the expanded grants will boost market confidence and further stimulate demand, as record numbers of drivers switch to electric vehicles.

Driving the UK’s EV transition

With this latest policy package, the UK Government reinforces its strategy to lead the shift towards zero-emission mobility by combining financial incentives, rapid infrastructure deployment, and administrative simplification.

The aim is clear: to make electric vehicles an accessible, cost-effective and practical option for households and businesses across the country, while accelerating transport decarbonisation and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.