Depot Charging Scheme for fleet charging

What: Up to £1 million per organisation; 70% of cost in Window 1.

What it funds: Chargepoint hardware, civil engineering, electrical infrastructure, integrated battery storage, and dedicated solar PV.

What it does NOT fund: EV purchase, grid connection upgrades, public charging, hydrogen/hybrid charging.

Who: UK fleet operators owning or leasing at least one depot, with at least one battery-electric van, HGV or coach.

Window 1: Open 25 March 2026, closes 30 June 2026. £28m available; £1m cap per organisation; 70% of cost. Project completion by 31 March 2027.

Window 2: Opens 28 October 2026, closes 29 January 2027. £38m available. Grant rate not yet confirmed (OZEV has signalled rates will reduce).

The DCS is a £170 million multi-year programme running from April 2026 to 2030, announced as part of a £1 billion fleet decarbonisation package on 25 March 2026. It runs in application windows, with £66 million committed across the first two (£28m + £38m) and £104 million reserved for windows in 2028/29 and 2029/30, with terms still to be confirmed.

Window 1 is on a first-come-first-served basis. To take advantage of the full 70% rate file early, and don’t bank on the same rate appearing in Window 2 - OZEV has been explicit that rates will reduce over the lifetime of the programme.

Eligible costs include chargepoint hardware, works, electrical infrastructure inside the depot, battery energy storage where it’s integrated with the charging system, and solar PV where it exclusively powers the chargepoints.

Grid connection upgrades are explicitly not eligible, neither is grid reinforcement. The application requires evidence of sufficient grid capacity already: a signed connection agreement, a DNO letter confirming capacity, or an accepted connection offer.

For fleet operators starting from a low-power site, this means the DCS funds the second half of the project, once you’ve already paid for the connection. Plan your DNO conversation before you intend to apply, not after.

• UK commercial fleet operators that own or lease at least one UK depot.
• Already own, lease, or have ordered at least one battery-electric van, HGV or coach (i.e. the application can’t be speculative).
• Public-sector fleets, local authorities, non-profit organisations and the rental sector are explicitly listed as eligible.
• Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey) excluded.

The £1 million cap is per organisation across all sites, not per site. Multiple sites can be in a single application; only one application per organisation per window.

The DCS is designed to "work hand in hand" with the Plug-in Van Grant and Zero Emissions Truck Grant. The same operator can claim both for the same fleet conversion - the vehicle grants discount the vehicles, the DCS funds the depot infrastructure to charge them.

1. Confirm grid capacity. Get a connection agreement, a DNO capacity letter, or an accepted offer in writing, as the application requires it. This is the longest-lead-time item.
2. Confirm at least one BEV is owned, leased or on order.
3. Scope the project. Chargepoint hardware (BEV-only, hydrogen and hybrid aren’t included)and works inside the depot, optional integrated BESS or dedicated solar PV.
4. Apply via Find a Grant. One application per organisation per window.
5. Sign the Grant Funding Agreement before incurring costs. Only post-GFA expenditure is eligible.
6. Deliver the project. Window 1 projects must be complete by 31 March 2027.