EV Charger Grants: Save on Home Installation

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If you are thinking about getting an electric car in London or Romford, the next question is nearly always the same.

“How much will it actually cost to fit a home charger and can I get any help with it?”

The good news is that there are still EV charger grants available in the UK that can cut the cost of installing a chargepoint at your property. Used properly, they can shave hundreds of pounds off the bill and make home charging much more affordable.

In this guide we will walk through the key grants, who they are for, how they work and how Volt East can help you claim them when we install your charger.

Why bother with home EV charging at all?

Home charging is usually the cheapest and most convenient way to run an EV in the UK.

Independent guides highlight that:

  • Home charging lets you avoid the higher per kWh rates at many public rapid chargers and gives you control over when you charge.
  • You can use off peak tariffs, often overnight, which can cut electricity costs by a big margin compared with daytime or public charging.
  • Home electricity is taxed at 5 percent VAT, while most public charging is taxed at 20 percent, which makes home charging even more cost effective over time.

In London the public network is growing fast, but most drivers still prefer the convenience of waking up to a fully charged car on the drive rather than hunting for a charger.

For Romford and the wider Havering area there has been investment in public charge points, but many households still have off street parking and are ideal candidates for a home charger.

What EV charger grants are available right now?

The UK government, through OZEV, currently focuses support on people who are more likely to miss out on older homeowner schemes.

The main grants that matter for London and Romford residents are:

1. EV chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners

This grant helps people who:

  • Own and live in a flat, or
  • Rent any residential property

If you qualify, you can get 75 percent off the cost of buying and installing a home chargepoint socket, up to a maximum of £350.

You also need:

  • An eligible electric or plug in hybrid vehicle
  • Private off street parking at the property

Applications are made online and the work must be carried out by an OZEV approved installer, apply here. If you require assitance or guidance with the application please get in touch with our team.

2. EV chargepoint grant for homes with on street parking

If you own or rent a property but only have on street parking, there is a separate chargepoint grant that can help pay for a safe cross pavement solution, such as a cable gully, again covering up to 75 percent of costs to a maximum of £350.

This is particularly relevant for terraced homes in parts of East London and older streets in Romford. You can apply here and If you require assitance or guidance with the application please get in touch with our team.

3. EV chargepoint grants for landlords

If you are a landlord who owns one or more properties, there is a specific scheme that can help cut the cost of installing chargers at your rental homes.

Current guidance indicates landlords can receive up to 75 percent of the cost to buy and install an EV chargepoint, capped at £350 per grant, with annual limits on the number of grants per landlord.

This is a strong selling point if you want to make your properties more attractive to EV driving tenants in London and Essex.

You can apply here and If you require assitance or guidance with the application please get in touch with our team.

Important: eligibility rules and funding levels can change, so always check the latest GOV.UK or OZEV information before planning work.

How much could you actually save?

Let us keep the numbers simple.

Imagine a typical home charger installation:

  • Charger and standard installation might cost something like £900 to £1,100 depending on cable runs, earthing and other factors.
  • If you are eligible as a renter or flat owner, the EV chargepoint grant could knock up to £350 off that bill, since it covers 75 percent of the cost up to that cap.

So a £950 install might drop to around £600 after the grant.

Landlords can also multiply that saving across multiple properties, which is why many are now planning chargers when they carry out other upgrade works.

Local picture: EV uptake in London and Romford

Despite London having one of the best public charging networks in the country, surveys show that only a small share of Londoners currently have a pure electric vehicle as their main car and a slightly higher share drive hybrids.

At the same time Havering Council has received significant OZEV funding to add charge points in council car parks and on residential streets.

That combination of:

  • Growing public infrastructure
  • Ongoing grants for home charging
  • ULEZ and other clean air policies

makes this a perfect window for London and Romford drivers to install their own home charger and future proof their driveway.

Step by step: how to use a grant with Volt East

Here is how a typical grant backed install works when you choose Volt East.

Step 1: Quick eligibility check

We confirm:

  • Whether you are a renter, flat owner, homeowner or landlord
  • What parking you have
  • Whether your vehicle and property type look eligible for a grant

You can always double check the criteria directly using GOV.UK guidance if you want to read through everything yourself.

Step 2: Site survey

We review:

  • Your main supply and consumer unit
  • Cable routes from your electrical panel to the parking space
  • Any earthing or bonding upgrades that might be needed

This helps avoid surprises and makes sure your existing installation can safely support an EV charger.

Step 3: Grant application

For most schemes you or your landlord apply online and select an OZEV approved installer.

We provide:

  • The charger model details
  • Our installer accreditation information
  • Any necessary documentation for the grant claim

Some schemes work via a voucher which must be used within a set time window, so planning dates is important.

Step 4: Installation and sign off

On the day we:

  • Install the charger, isolator and any required protection
  • Test the charger and your circuits against BS 7671 standards
  • Commission the app or smart features
  • Provide your installation certificate and any grant related paperwork

From then on, you have a dedicated home chargepoint and the peace of mind that your install is compliant and properly documented.

Thinking about an EV and want to know if a grant could cut your installation costs in London or Romford?

Contact Volt East for an EV charger and grant eligibility check
We can talk through your property, your vehicle and your options and give you a clear quote with or without grant support.

You can also read more on our dedicated EV charging installation service page.

What about workplace EV charging grants?

While this blog focuses on home charging, it is worth knowing about the Workplace Charging Scheme if you run a business in London or Essex.

The Workplace Charging Scheme:

  • Provides support towards the cost of installing chargepoints at business premises
  • Covers up to 75 percent of purchase and installation costs, capped at £350 per socket
  • Applies to up to 40 sockets across all sites for each applicant under current rules

If you own a small business in Romford or East London, this can be a powerful way to support staff and customers who drive EVs. Volt East can design and install both home and workplace solutions and help you understand how the schemes fit together.

FAQ: EV charger grants for London and Romford

Can I still get a grant if I own a house with a driveway?

The current main grant for private homes is aimed at renters and flat owners rather than all owner occupiers. However, schemes evolve, so it is worth checking the latest GOV.UK guidance or asking Volt East to point you to up to date information.

I rent a house in Romford with a driveway. Can I apply?

Yes, the EV chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners includes people who rent any residential property, including houses, provided you meet the other criteria such as owning an eligible vehicle and having private off street parking.

You will need your landlord’s permission for the installation.

How much can landlords claim each year?

Under current guidance, landlords can receive funding towards multiple chargepoints each financial year, with caps on the number of residential and commercial properties that can be supported per landlord and a maximum of £350 per grant.

Do I have to use an OZEV approved installer?

Yes, to claim the grant you must use an OZEV authorised installer and an approved charger model.

Volt East works with compliant equipment and can provide the necessary documentation to support your claim.

Is it really cheaper than using public chargers?

For most drivers, yes. Home charging combined with off peak tariffs and the lower VAT rate on domestic electricity means you pay less per kWh than at most public chargepoints, especially rapid chargers.

Let's get your chargepoint installed

If you are in London, Romford or the surrounding areas and are thinking about an EV, now is the time to line up your home charger and understand what help is available.

Volt East can design, install and support your EV charging solution
From simple single home installations to landlord and workplace projects, we will help you:

  • Check grant eligibility
  • Choose the right charger
  • Install everything safely and neatly

Ready to explore your options?
Get in touch with Volt East and let us help you plug your next car into a smarter, cheaper charging setup at home.

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