You could save £500 on an electric car charger from April
Car changing is a big deal
Certain households and small businesses can claim up to £500 from 1 April to install an electric car charger – the biggest boost yet in the final year of the scheme.
From 1 April, certain households and businesses that own an electric car can get up to £500 to help install a home or workplace charger. That’s more than 40% higher than the current £350 grant and could cover nearly half the cost of installation.
Groups that often face difficulties installing chargers – such as renters, flat owners, homeowners without driveways, and small businesses – are all eligible. But don’t get too excited just yet: applications open on 1 April and will be available for one year.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used electric car right here on Carwow. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
How it helps electric car drivers
Installing a home charger can make running an electric car much cheaper than constantly relying on public charging stations.
Keir Mather, the UK’s decarbonisation minister, said: “Bigger grants mean families, flat owners, renters and small businesses can install a charger for almost half the usual cost, with home charging costing as little as 2p a mile.”
The boost comes on top of the Electric Car Grant, which has already helped more than 55,000 drivers save thousands on new EVs, plus extra funding for the public charging network.
Why home charging saves money
AA president Edmund King says charging at home is much cheaper than using public stations. The main reason? VAT on home electricity is just 5%, compared with 20% at public chargers. Add in cheaper overnight electricity rates, and it can save hundreds over the life of your car.
But that could change soon. Treasury officials are considering cutting VAT on public EV charging to 5% following backlash over the government’s proposed pay-per-mile road tax for electric cars and plug-in hybrids in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ 2025 Autumn Budget. If it goes ahead, public charging could cost almost as little as charging at home.
Looking ahead
The government plans to ban new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with only zero-emission models allowed from 2035.
By increasing charger grants in this final year, ministers hope more households and businesses will make the switch to electric – and make EV ownership practical for people without driveways.
If you’ve been thinking about going electric, the key date is 1 April: that’s when the new £500 support kicks in, and you can start claiming.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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