COUNTDOWN
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In our previous post about the OLEV homecharge and workplace charge scheme we highlighted that it was likely the funding wouldn’t last forever, and it had already dropped by 50% since it first came out in 2016. From the 1st of April 2020, another cut has been applied.
What’s Changing?
The government announced on the 12th March that they would be continuing to offer grants for both the workplace and homecharge scheme for another year, however to try and extend the offer to more people the budget has been cut from £500 to £350. On average the cost of an EV ChargePoint starts from £500 depending on the type and installation of course. The cuts in the budget incentive from OLEV present some new cost challenges for businesses sitting on the fence. This is why we are encouraging you to submit your application as soon as possible!
The cuts will apply to any application that has been made on or after the 1st of April 2020. Which for businesses considering taking advantage of the scheme can make the difference of £3,000. If we consider a business using the grant scheme to the original capacity of 20 charging points. They would be eligible for £10,000 under the old scheme. From the 1st of April this will drop significantly to £7,000.
However, on a positive note for workplace charge scheme, the government are doubling the number of sockets that they will provide a business from 20-40. While the monetary amount has decreased, for larger businesses this will be some welcome news! Additionally, electric bike owners will be pleased to hear that the scheme will mean that they too are eligible to apply for the grant whereas before it was restricted to vans and cars.
Upward Trend of EV’s in 2020
With the new BIK tax introduction in April 2020 for company cars drivers, it is expected that the demand for charging points in workplaces will increase significantly as many companies and drivers opt for an all-electric fleet to enjoy savings of around 95% on tax.
However, even without the company car incentives research is showing a massive upward trend in the registration of pure- EV’s. The first few months of 2020 have been extremely positive, with registrations for the first two months of the year up 135% compared to 2019. In even better news, registrations of pure-EVs are up 218% for the same period[1]. It is expected that this upward trend is only going to increase over the year.
While the option for EV charging stations in workplaces are currently voluntary it is only a matter of time before this becomes compulsory under the government’s efforts to encourage the switch to electric vehicles. By which point, it is more than likely this grant option will be gone.
Even as a company that doesn’t have a company car policy, there will be an expectation to provide charging points for visitors, staff and other key stakeholders. Due to the cuts and the new one-year deadline, it is much better to act sooner rather than later in order to not miss out on the cost savings.
The pressure on organisations and individuals to adopt a greener way to travel are increasing and at Blaby Electrical we want to make the transition as simple as possible. Our staff are now certified to fit Rolec EV charging points in domestic, commercial and industrial sites under the Homecharge and Workplace Charge schemes from OLEV
Site Survey for Businesses
In order to complete your application for the workplace charge scheme start by arranging a free site survey from a member of the Blaby Electrical team to see how many ChargePoint’s you can have at your place of work.
We can also offer advice and guidance on completing the application.
Application for Homecharge Scheme
The application for the homecharge scheme can be complex and a little daunting. This is why we offer a free application service for our homecharge customers. We are used to the process and are more than happy to complete an application on your behalf to save you the headache.