Why Workplace EV Charging Is Growing Fast
EV registrations hit 29% of all new car sales in Q1 2026, and a growing proportion of those drivers expect to charge at work. For businesses across East Anglia, this creates both an opportunity and an expectation: companies that offer charging attract and retain EV-driving staff, while those that do not are already fielding daily requests from employees who want to top up during the working day.
The economics are compelling too. The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant pays up to £350 per socket (capped at 40 sockets per applicant), meaning a 10-socket installation might attract £3,500 in direct grant funding. Add an optional business rate benefit — chargers with outputs under 50kW are eligible for 100% Enhanced Capital Allowances — and the net cost of workplace charging infrastructure can be surprisingly low.
How the Workplace Charging Scheme Grant Works
The WCS is available to businesses, charities, public sector organisations, and accommodation providers (B&Bs, holiday lets, hotels). To qualify, you must: be a registered business with a business address in the UK, own or lease the property where the chargers will be installed, and install OZEV-authorised charge points through an approved installer. Green Hat Renewables is OZEV-authorised.
The application process runs through the OZEV portal. We manage the application on your behalf as part of our installation service — you simply provide a few business registration details and we handle the rest. The grant is paid as a discount off the installation invoice, so you never see the money — you just pay less.
Costs for Typical Commercial Installations
Commercial EV charger installations vary widely depending on the number of units, the distance from the electrical intake, and the supply capacity. As a guide: a single 7kW charger with a short cable run costs £1,200-£1,800 installed (before WCS grant), a twin 7kW pedestal (two sockets) costs £2,000-£2,800, and a 22kW commercial charger costs £2,500-£3,500. Larger installations with multiple units and cable management across a car park cost significantly more and require a full design survey.
For businesses with solar panels, commercial EV chargers can be integrated with the solar system so car charging is prioritised when panels are generating. This works particularly well for logistics businesses, farms, and properties with large roof areas that regularly generate surplus energy during business hours.
Planning and Technical Considerations
Most workplace EV charger installations at existing commercial premises are permitted development and do not require planning permission. New buildings and listed premises may require consent. Where multiple chargers are needed, the supply cable sizing and supply capacity become important — a 10-socket installation drawing 70kW simultaneously may require a supply upgrade or load management system.
Load balancing (also called dynamic load management) is essential for larger installations. It continuously monitors total draw and distributes available capacity across active charging sessions — ensuring chargers deliver maximum charge to each car without tripping the building supply. We design load management into all multi-unit installations.
Serving East Anglia Businesses
We have completed commercial EV charging installations at business parks, farms, equestrian centres, offices, and hospitality venues across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Common East Anglia use cases include farm vehicles and staff charging in rural locations, car parks at market town commercial centres, and equine and agricultural facilities.
If you manage a commercial property and want to explore workplace charging, contact us for a free site assessment. We will advise on the number of chargers suited to your staff and visitor numbers, the most cost-effective cable routing, and the full grant picture including WCS eligibility.
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