EV charging and grants seminar

This year we introduced a range of seminars designed to help those working in the industry maximise the opportunities out there, and to share information about how EV charging point grants can be accessed and how installers can register with OLEV.

The first EV seminars have now been run, and the feedback so far is that they were engaging and informative. We have provided an outline of the information presented below.

How the funding works

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is a government initiative which has been introduced to support the early market of electric and ultra-low emission vehicles by introducing a number of grant funding Initiatives.

An electric vehicle is eligible if it appears on the OLEV eligibility list. You can view the full list of eligible vehicles here. Please note that from 1st July 2019, all chargepoints installed under the EV Homecharge Scheme must be smart. We will update you with more info nearer the time.

Alternatively, please register to attend one of our seminars (see info below), which aim to demystify how these grants and funding work. There are two schemes available:

EV Homecharge Scheme – EVHS
This scheme is specifically for the domestic home installation market. Its aim is to provide affordable domestic EV chargers with a value of 75% (the grant is capped at a maximum of £500 per charging unit), which is subsidised by the Government Grant. When you complete the work the customer will pay you the balance of the cost and then you apply to OLEV to receive the remainder of the install costs directly.

Eligible expenditure include:

  • Cost of unit
  • Electrical components
  • Civil engineering works
  • Labour costs (for installation)
  • Hardware costs
  • VAT incurred by the customer
  • Site survey works (when leading to a completed installation)

Workplace Charging Scheme – WCS
This scheme is specifically for the workplace market, but not public areas such as retail parks, unless it is for employee use only. The grant allows businesses to purchase up to 20 EV charging points, at a subsidised cost, with each 2-way charge unit having a £1,000 price reduction (£500 per socket).

With this scheme the business requiring the charging points starts the application process. The chosen installer then surveys the site and confirms whether it is suitable for installations. Once the installation is complete the installer has to complete an online grant redemption via the OLEV portal, after which a grant level is confirmed, and the installer can receive the grant.

Q&A

At the end of the seminars we give attendees an opportunity of ask questions, of which some have been answered below

Q. Do you need to register with each manufacturer to install each type of unit?
A. Yes, each manufacturer requires you to be an approved installer. However, your C&G qualification will be considered proof of your competence as an installer.

Q. How long after submitting the paperwork do you receive the grant / payment?
A. Payments can take up to 6 weeks

Q. What’s the average cost of an install?
A. This varies greatly, however from talking to installers we estimate that as a guide you could earn between £200 to £300 per install. This of course could be higher depending on the complexity of the job.

Q. How much will the new smart points cost?
A. Prices will be published in July, however we will update you on this as soon as we have the information.

Q. Can you claim 2 grants on 1 property?
A. Yes, you can. The grant is obtained on the car rather than the property, though there is a cap of two grants per household.

Q. As an approved installer, can you buy charging points direct from Rolec?
A. Unfortunately not. While Rolec are the manufacturer, you will still need to purchase these from your local wholesaler.

Q. Do you need to buy a Rolec tester to register on the Rolec scheme?
A. Yes you will need a Rolec Charge Check, however any MFT is ok for the usual Inspection and Testing.

How to get registered to draw down the funding

Only authorised installers are able to claim the grant on behalf of the domestic customer. Once approved by Rolec you will then receive an OLEV Scheme Number which is essential to draw down any funding. Please note that only installers registered with a scheme provider such as the NICEIC are able to apply.

How do I get qualified?

To take advantage of the opportunities available in this high growth industry, now is a great time to get yourself qualified to become a specialist and Certified EV Charging Point Installer.

Our C&G 2921-31 Domestic & Commercial EV Charging Installation Course is designed to give a fundamental understanding on how to design, install, test, inspect, commission, and maintain electric vehicle charging equipment.

Creating an extra revenue stream

Taking into account the increasing demand, we believe that now is the best time to get qualified in this exciting sector. The figures suggest this service is going to be in high demand, so arming yourself with this additional skill can future proof your earning potential, making it a great investment in your business.

It’s estimated that by 2030 50% of vehicles produced will be either electric or plug-in hybrid. Again this is great news for anyone looking to add EV charging point installation as an additional skill to boost their revenue stream.