UK’s OZEV Depot Charging Scheme: Electrify your fleet depots

Fleet operators in the UK now have a chance to cover a substantial part of the cost of their EV charging infrastructure thanks to OZEV’s new Depot Charging Scheme. But the application deadline is already fast approaching, so it’s worth acting quickly. Read our guide to the Depot Charging Scheme and let us help you through the process.

The pace of UK’s transport electrification has been rising. This is mainly driven by the country’s ambitious ZEV mandate which calls for 80% of new car sales and 70% of new van sales to be electric by 2030, with full electrification by 2035.

Fleets have long been overlooked in the electrification race, in favor of passenger cars, but they now became a proper focus of the government’s support efforts. Its latest funding push is a proof of that.

The Depot Charging Scheme addresses a critical piece of the transition – commercial fleets. It can’t be denied that electrification of commercial fleets, such as road freight or delivery vehicles, is an effective way to cut GHG emissions. Heavy-duty trucks, for instance, make up only 10% of all internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, yet produce over 70% of ICE-related CO2 emissions.

While switching ICE fleet vehicles to electric ones is the first step towards success, the other side of the coin is having sufficient charging infrastructure in place. Fleet operators in the UK now can get the financial support they need.

What is the Depot Charging Scheme?

The Depot Charging Scheme is a government funded financial support for fleet operators looking to install EV charging infrastructure for electric heavy-goods vehicles (HGVs), vans and coaches at their depots.

The scheme can cover up to 75% of depot charging costs, up to a maximum of £1 million across all sites. This represents a large portion of the usual CAPEX requirement.

What is the Scheme for? 

• Purchase cost of charge points of any type or speed, as long as they match your fleet’s needs.
• Installation and energisation costs of the charge points (incl. civil engineering work, electrical components and electrical contractor work).

This scheme isn’t meant for electric vehicle purchases. If you want to get support for the purchase of electric vans and HGVs, apply for the Plug-in Van and Truck Grant. 

The Scheme also doesn’t cover the cost of grid connections.

Who can apply?

The scheme is available to:

• Public and private sector fleets
• Local authorities
• Non-profit organisations

The fleet operator must be located in England, Scotland, Wales and/or Northern Ireland to be eligible.

There are some additional criteria you should take into consideration before applying, for instance:

• Must be a registered fleet operator in the UK for at least one year by the time of submitting the application.
• Must own your depot or have consent from your landlord.
• Must own, lease, or order at least one battery electric van, HGV or coach.
• Must have sufficient grid capacity at your depot site.

Make sure to read the full list of the criteria on the government’s official website.

Timeline & deadlines

The Depot Charging Scheme is an enticing opportunity for fleets across the country, but if you want to take advantage of it, you must act fast.

The grant will close by 28th November 2025 (or when funding has been exhausted) and all infrastructure must be installed by the end of March 2026.

How to apply: Step-by-step

Below, we break down the five essential steps to a successful application of the Depot Charging Scheme:

1. Get a full understanding of the Scheme: Read the relevant documentation to properly understand how the scheme works and if your organisation is eligible. Find more information here.
2. Ensure your site has enough grid capacity: One of the Scheme’s eligibility requirement is ensuring there is sufficient grid capacity at the depot site for the desired charging infrastructure. Run a site survey to get better understanding of your site’s electrical capacity.
3. Get clear on your current state of electrification and your planned uptake: The application will require you to provide information on how many electric vehicles do you currently have in your fleet and how many are you planning to add. You will also need to disclose information on any existing charging infrastructure and your future charging needs.
4. Get a project cost estimate from an installation partner: The application process also requires you to provide a cost estimate for the project. You should contact a trusted installation partner to help you assess the costs.
5. Submit your application: Once you’re clear on your eligibility and have all the necessary information, it’s time to submit your application. You can find it here.

Let Virta guide you through the process

The Depot Charging Scheme is a real game-changer for fleet operators in the UK. This funding can cover a major part of the initial cost needed to install a proper charging infrastructure. But keep in mind that funding is limited and time to apply is already running out.

We know that sorting grants and applying for government funding might feel like a headache. That’s where Virta’s fleet specialists come in. We’re happy to guide you through the application process and help you design charging infrastructure that fits your fleet’s needs.