Electric Vehicle Charging
Important facts for electric vehicle owners and installers
Electric vehicles (also known as EV’s) are rapidly becoming popular throughout the UK. Not only are plug-in electric vehicles practical and effective, but they also significantly reduce emissions and save consumers money. We have seen major changes in the EV market recently and seen that many NAPIT members are wanting to expand their knowledge in the field to become EV installers.
Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is now called Office for Zero Emission Vehicles OZEV
Read NAPIT Technical’s Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Installation Top 10 Tips here
Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles (OZEV)
OZEV are the team working across the Government supporting the early market adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles, which means electric cars and the chargers to assist them. OZEV are also the office responsible for introducing the Electric Vehicle Homecharge scheme (EVHS) and the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant
To help private plug-in electric vehicle owners offset some of the upfront cost of the purchase and installation of a dedicated domestic recharging unit, the Government offers the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant. From 1 April 2022, customers who live in flats or rented accommodation who are the registered keeper, lessee or have primary user of an eligible electric vehicle can receive up to 75% (capped at £350) off the total capital costs of the chargepoint and associated installation costs.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme which is designed to provide eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints. The contribution is limited to the 75% of purchase and installation costs, up to a maximum of £350 for each socket, and a maximum of 40 across all sites for each applicant.
How do you register as an installer?
Organisations wishing to claim the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant or Workplace Charging Grant (WCS) must be authorised by OZEV before any chargepoints are installed.
If you are already authorised under the EVHS and wish to be authorised under the WCS, you do not need to resubmit your evidence documents.
OZEV, or its representatives, will process the application and will confirm your authorisation in writing, providing you with a unique authorisation number. This can be done online at https://forms.dft.gov.uk/ozev-authorised-installer-application/ as long as installers have:
- Your Competent Persons Scheme operator name and membership numberproof of public liability insurance - not employers’ liability insurance.
- proof that they/ the company's installers have been trained to install electric vehicle chargepoints. The names of installers, their qualifications and renewal dates are needed. Specific training courses/ qualifications are not mentioned on the government’s form.
- proof they are approved by the chargepoint manufacturer/s to install their products (manufacturers should provide certificates to installers after they have been trained)
- up-to-date evidence to support all of the above, and proof of current address
Installations must be carried out in accordance with Part P (Electrical safety – dwellings), and the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation. In particular, the installation must meet the standards of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). Installers must notify the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) when chargepoints are installed.
Any installers who were originally accredited through the Domestic Recharging Scheme will need to re-apply for authorisation, and anybody who was given authorisation under the EVHC scheme before 1 September 2014 will need to reconfirm this online. As part of the application, OZEV will conduct checks, potentially including credit checks or checks on customer experiences. Installers will be required to submit monthly updates on their installation orders, and updates to quarterly forecasts every six weeks.
How do installers claim the grants?
For EVHC grants, funding can be claimed against:
- Cost of unit
- Electrical components
- Civil engineering works
- Labour costs (for installation)
- Hardware costs
- The VAT incurred by the customer
- Site survey works (when leading to a completed installation)
- Additional smart meters/ current clamp devices required to be installed for the chargepoint to work successfully.
OLEV Grant
The OLEV grant can be claimed via an online form https://forms.dft.gov.uk/olev-installation-grant/
Supporting documents must be supplied, in the form of the EVHC scheme application form, photographic evidence of the installation, proof of notification from the DNO, and proof of purchase for the customer’s electric vehicle. Records must be kept for at least three years following the installation. Claims should be processed within 30 working days.
Workplace Charging Scheme
For the Workplace Charging Scheme, a voucher must be claimed by the customer before installation takes place. The voucher is then passed on to the installer for them to claim the money back (using the form at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-guidance-electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme/electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme-guidance-for-customers).
Vouchers are vailed for 180 days from issue. Installers must keep all evidence of each installation (certificates, photographs, notifications to the DNO) for a minimum of three years, so that this proof can be provided in electronic form if requested. For more details visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/workplace-charging-scheme-guidance-for-applicants-installers-and-manufacturers/workplace-charging-scheme-guidance-for-applicants-chargepoint-installers-and-manufacturers
Why choose a NAPIT Registered Installer?
It is important that you get work done by competent registered tradespeople working for businesses who are committed to quality, safety and customer care. NAPIT certificated scheme members demonstrate their competence, they hold the necessary insurances and have the right processes and procedures to assure compliant and safe work. Find out more here
Why become a NAPIT Registered EV Installer?
There is a notable market in EV charge point installations, and it is predicated to continue expanding, so why not arm yourself with this new skill and become a competent EV installer.
Find out more about joining NAPIT’s Competent Person Scheme here
See all the benefits of NAPIT membership here