As electric vehicles become more common on UK roads, workplace charging is quickly shifting from a nice-to-have perk to an expected benefit. For facilities managers and employers, understanding how to plan, fund, and manage EV charging infrastructure is essential – not just to meet employee demand, but to support sustainability goals and future-proof your business.
This guide to workplace EV charging will walk you through the key steps, from assessing your site and understanding EV charger grants for UK businesses, to establishing an EV charging policy for employees, and ensuring long-term compliance.
Why Workplace Charging Matters
Installing EV chargers at your workplace delivers benefits that go well beyond simply keeping up with the times. For employees, workplace charging offers convenience and cost savings, making electric vehicle ownership more practical and appealing. For employers, it’s a clear commitment to sustainability, helping you attract and retain top talent, while supporting corporate social responsibility (CSR) targets.
Workplace charging also makes financial sense. Government grants can cover a significant portion of installation costs, and for businesses with electric fleet vehicles, on-site charging reduces reliance on expensive public rapid chargers. As the UK government phases out new petrol and diesel vehicle sales, workplace charging infrastructure will become a standard expectation, much like WiFi or parking facilities are today.
Step 1: Assess Your Site and Employee Demand
Before installing any chargers, you need to understand both your site’s capabilities and your employees’ needs. Start with a site assessment to evaluate your car park layout, available electrical capacity, and any physical constraints like underground cabling or limited space.
Next, survey your employees to gauge current and future EV ownership. Ask how many already drive electric vehicles, how many are considering switching in the next 1–2 years, and whether they have charging facilities at home. This data helps answer the question: how many EV chargers does a workplace need?
As a general rule, aim to provide one charger for every 10–15 parking spaces initially, with the flexibility to scale up as demand grows. Prioritise locations near building entrances for accessibility, and consider future-proofing by installing the electrical infrastructure for additional chargers, even if you don’t fit them immediately.
Step 2: Understand Eligibility and Grant Options
One of the biggest advantages of workplace EV charging is the availability of government grants that significantly reduce installation costs. The two main schemes for UK businesses are:
Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
The Workplace Charging Scheme provides grants of up to £350 per socket (capped at 40 sockets across multiple sites) for eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations. To qualify, you must use an OZEV-approved installer and charger, and the chargers must be installed at locations where employees or fleet vehicles park.
The scheme is designed to make workplace charging affordable and accessible, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. It’s worth noting that the WCS is demand-led and subject to government funding availability, so it’s wise to apply sooner rather than later.
EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets
For larger installations or businesses with significant electrical upgrade requirements, the EV Infrastructure Grant covers up to 75% of costs (capped at £15,000) for infrastructure work like electrical capacity upgrades, cabling, and distribution boards. This is particularly useful if your site needs substantial groundwork to support multiple chargers.
Sometimes both schemes can be combined, depending on the nature of your project. An OZEV-approved installer like MD Govier can provide support to navigate eligibility and prepare your application, ensuring you claim the maximum available funding.
Step 3: Define an EV Charging Policy
Once you’ve planned your installation, you’ll need to establish a clear EV charging policy for employees. This ensures fair access, avoids disputes, and helps manage demand as EV adoption grows.
Your policy should cover:
- Who can use the chargers: All employees, only those without home charging, or a booking system?
- Charging costs: Will you offer free charging, charge at cost, or include it as a taxable benefit?
- Time limits: For example, a maximum of 4 hours per session to prevent all-day parking in charging bays.
- Etiquette: Clear guidelines on moving vehicles once charged, reporting faults, and respecting booking systems.
Many modern workplace chargers include software that allows you to manage usage, monitor energy consumption, and even allocate charging costs per user. This makes administration easier and provides transparency for both facilities teams and employees.
Step 4: Plan Your Installation and Management
With your site assessed, grants secured, and policy drafted, it’s time to move forward with installation. Choosing the right installer is critical – look for OZEV-approved electricians with experience in commercial EV charging projects.
Your installer should work with you to select the right hardware. Most workplaces opt for 7kW or 22kW chargers, which provide a practical balance between charging speed and electrical demand. Smart chargers are now mandatory for most installations, offering remote monitoring, usage tracking and load balancing to prevent overloading your electrical supply during peak times.
Installation timescales vary depending on the complexity of the project. Simple installations with existing electrical capacity may take just a few days, while larger projects requiring groundwork, cable trenching, or electrical upgrades can take several weeks. A good installer will plan the work to minimise disruption to your operations.
At MD Govier, we handle the entire process, from site surveys and grant applications to installation and certification. Learn more about our EV charger installations service.
Step 5: Ensure Ongoing Compliance and Scalability
Installing workplace chargers isn’t a one-off task – ongoing maintenance (a hidden cost of EV charger installations that some suppliers don’t make clear upfront), monitoring, and planning are essential to keep your system running smoothly and compliant with regulations.
Smart chargers must meet UK regulations, including the ability to respond to grid signals and charge during off-peak times where possible. Regular software updates ensure your chargers remain compliant and benefit from the latest features. Most manufacturers recommend annual inspections to check for wear, test safety features, and ensure chargers are operating efficiently.
As EV adoption grows within your workforce, you’ll need to scale your charging infrastructure. Planning for this from the outset – by installing adequate electrical capacity and laying groundwork for future chargers – makes expansion far more cost-effective. Usage data from your charger management software will help you see when it’s time to add more capacity.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Planning workplace EV charging doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right partner, you can navigate grant applications, design a scalable solution, and install chargers that meet your employees’ needs, while supporting your business goals.
At MD Govier, we’ve been delivering electrical solutions for over 30 years, and we’re OZEV-approved installers with experience across commercial, industrial, and public sector projects. Whether you’re installing your first charger or expanding an existing network, we’ll handle everything from site surveys to ongoing maintenance.
Get a free quote today, or call us on 01908 109444 to discuss your workplace EV charging project.