The OLEV grant - what's the catch?

We get many customers wondering what the catch is for the £500 OLEV grant but the truth is, there is no catch, just the UK Government's pledge to try and encourage more drivers to make the switch to electric.

To qualify for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) grant, AKA OLEV grant, you need to meet certain criteria, including having off street parking such as a driveway or garage, or a designated off-road parking space perhaps in a car park. You need to have a vehicle that is on the eligible vehicles list and you need to have obtained the vehicle, either through ownership, leasing or through your company, from October 2016 onwards.

If you meet these criteria, you should qualify for the grant. Upon accepting a quote from an OLEV authorised installer, you then need to provide paperwork for the vehicle such as a V5 (log book), proof of purchase or order, or a letter from your company.

You will also be asked to sign a document called an Annex D.  The authorised installer will claim the £500 on your behalf, you would then pay the remaining associated cost for the installation.

The Workplace Charging Scheme grant (WCS) is for businesses who are looking to improve their green credential by installing EV charging facilities. Eligible companies can apply for vouchers to claim £500 per socket, up to 20 across all sites.

This can equate to a huge saving so it's well worth applying for.

Applying for the OLEV grants really is a simple process and as an electric vehicle driver, having a dedicated EV charge point is an investment that will not only take the hassle out of charging, but will save money in the long run.