The UK government has announced an increase in the charge point grant it offers to renters and landlords from £350 to £500, and extended the programme for another 12 months. 

The scope of the scheme has been widened to include businesses and specifically notes that people who have houses without driveways can use the grant to get pavement chargers installed too, in addition to previous funding announced by the government to help with the installation of pavement gullies and similar solutions.

Schools are also being offered £2,000 per charge point to get them installed on site. The government says that 3,700 sockets have been installed in schools across the country already. 

The new scheme will take effect from 1 April 2026 and is intended to cover up to half the cost of installing a plug. 

Previously the scheme was administered by the charge point installer to make it easier for renters and landlords to take advantage of the offer, there’s no indication yet that this will change under the new terms of the scheme. 

The government minister responsible for the scheme, Keir Mather, said: “We're taking action to make EV ownership the affordable choice for everyone – not just those with driveways. Bigger grants mean families, flat owners, renters and small businesses can now install a charger for almost half the usual cost, with home charging costing as little as 2p a mile.”

More than half of respondents asked in a survey conducted by the AA and Electrifying said that not having access to off-street parking would put them off getting an electric car, while more than 20% said that pavement charging would encourage them to get one. 

The programme adds to the possible grants to make EV ownership easier – including up to £3,750 off the cost of a new electric car. Check out the full list of eligible cars here.