Wallbox chargers for the home are making electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) a much more convenient proposition for drivers who have a driveway or their own off-street parking space. Wallboxes shorten the charging time at home by supplying more electricity than can normally be supplied via a three-pin household socket. If installed in the right place, they can also eliminate the need for long (and potentially less secure) extension cords.
There are dozen of home charging points to choose from, with the cheapest starting from around £ 300. There is also a government grant called the EV Homecharge Scheme, or EVHS for short, which can significantly reduce installation costs. This is on top of the plug-in car allowance, which deducts money from the purchase price of the car itself. In February 2021, the government confirmed that this grant would last until at least 2022.
What is the subsidy for the OZEV Home Wallbox charger?
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) oversees a grant that covers 75% of the cost of buying and installing a wallbox charger, up to a maximum of £ 350. Your wallbox provider is paid directly by the government, so you will not be asked to pay in advance. However, you still need to make up the difference between the grant and the total cost.
To be eligible for the grant, several criteria must be met: You must own, lease, or be named as the main user of an eligible vehicle or commission one. Helpfully, the grant covers both new and used vehicles. You must also use an OZEV authorized installer.
You don’t have to wait to take over the car, although you can’t have the wallbox installed for more than four months before it shows up. It makes sense to fill out the necessary forms as soon as possible, as this will minimize the gap between receiving your new car and being able to charge it via your wallbox.
In July 2019, the criteria were changed so that only “intelligent” chargers are eligible for funding. Smart chargers can connect to the Internet, which allows charging processes to be programmed remotely: This increases the comfort for drivers of electric cars and PHEVs and allows them to benefit from cheaper electricity tariffs that are common at night – which in turn can be reduced on-going Costs.
Am I entitled to the OZEV Home Wallbox charging allowance?
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) – to give its full official name – is available to anyone who has owned an authorized new or used electric car since October 1, 2016, if they have not already made use of it. The regulation applies to people who can prove that they have ordered and bought an electric vehicle. People who lease an electric car or lease it as part of a wage waiver are also eligible, provided the lease period is at least six months.
Company car drivers are also entitled if they have owned the car for more than six months. The same applies to people who are named by their employer as the main user of an electric vehicle; However, if the named person changes within six months, no second scholarship can be claimed.
Assuming you’ve come this far, there are additional criteria you need to meet. They must have off-street parking which, in the words of OZEV, must be “connected to the property”. In practice this means a driveway. If there is any uncertainty about the “affiliation”, evidence from the land registry or the local authority can be requested.
In addition, the off-street parking space must be deemed suitable and will be checked by the installer prior to installation. It also needs to be easily accessible so that the vehicle can be charged safely. The installer must also consider their own best practices and be aware of factors such as pitfalls.
