• • • ELECTRICAL VEHICLES • • • Unfair advantage: what the


WCS means for installers Back in 2016, the UK government unveiled a multi-million- pound grant to help businesses manage the cost of investing in EV charging infrastructure


By Lee Sutton, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Myenergi T


he Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) offered contributions of up to 75 per cent of the purchase and installation cost of EV


chargers for workplace application, capped at a maximum of £350 per socket and 40 sockets in total. In the eight years since, the popularity of the


WCS has soared, with businesses considering the funding an instrumental consideration in their


decision to embrace electrification. Indeed, in total, more than 55,000 units have been purchased with the help of grant funding, equating to circa £21.8 million in government support. In 2024 alone, 6,565 sockets were installed through the scheme, some 12 per cent of all applications since the scheme’s founding. This statistic not only demonstrates the value of WCS funding as a driver in the switch to EVs, but


also reflects a shift in perception when it comes to business fleet electrification. Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), for example, suggests that almost 66 per cent of new car registrations in 2024 were business and fleet sales, while the most recent ‘Future of Transport’ report revealed that most fleet managers expected to run a purely electric fleet within the next four years. While the initiative was originally set to wind up


in March 2024, Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, clarified that funding was extended for another 12 months. This adds to the news confirming that grants for the installation of domestic EV chargers at flats and rental properties will also be extended until 2026. Both extensions are hugely positive, not only for


the businesses, homeowners and landlords who can access the funding, but also for the installers who will undoubtedly see work driven through the scheme. However, it’s unlikely that either scheme will be renewed come 2026, meaning installers must take advantage while they still can.


Proactivity vs. reactivity With more than 6,500 chargers installed through the WCS in 2024 and confidence in EVs booming, we’re likely to see the scheme leveraged even further during its final 12 months. While unlikely to completely fill up the order books, it remains a hugely beneficial income stream for installers. When combined with funding for chargers at


flats and rental properties, the opportunity is clear, but the difference between taking full advantage and watching the opportunity slip through the cracks lies in proactivity. Of course, there’s no harm in waiting for the


phone to ring and seeing jobs booked in through the two schemes. However, this seems a bit of a passive way to approach the opportunity. Instead, the role of the savvy installer should be two-fold, an industry educator and an electrification enabler. Let me explain. While the WCS is by no means


new, the businesses who are in prime position to take advantage are unlikely to be experienced in electrification. Instead, the vast majority will be on the edge of switching to electric and busily researching the marketplace. From vehicle choices and contract options, to maintenance schedules and driver training requirements, there’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time. As such, grant funding could be an important detail missed. If you’re already targeting commercial


customers through your business development activity, it’s important to raise awareness of the


22 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2025 electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


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