Is it time for dealers to fit EV chargers?

Electric Vehicles (EVs) represent around a quarter of all new cars now sold. It means that around 500,000 new electric vehicles will hit UK roads in 2023, adding to a parc of EVs that are now swelling the used car market. So, should dealers be thinking about adding EV chargers to their forecourts?

There are plenty of reasons for considering such a step; to meet the need to charge EV stock, provide a service to customers, and demonstrate support for sustainability amongst them.

Another reason to think about it is the current availability of government grants. The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is available to organisations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; click here for the application form.

Grants of up to 75% of the costs associated with EV charge point purchase and installation, although it is capped at £350 per charge point. For those interested in more than one charger, the scheme is available for up to 40 charge point units across all sites that a business might have (the applications do not all have to happen simultaneously!)

Amongst the requirements:

• You must be a registered business with less than 250 employees
• have dedicated off-street parking with parking bays solely for the applicant organisation
• have a minimum power supply of 3kW to each EV charge point
• must own the property or have consent from the landlord for chargepoints to be installed at all the sites listed in the application.

For more information, click here.

Debbie McKay, Commercial Director of Motor Sales