The UK government's Depot Charging Scheme is currently the most accessible grant available for fleet operators electrifying their vehicles. Run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), it covers 75% of eligible capital costs (up to £1 million per organisation) from a total pool of £30 million.
This funding round closed on 30 June 2026. The content below is preserved as a reference guide. Contact Neutron to discuss current fleet electrification funding options, including LEVI, ZEBRA 2.0, and Enhanced Capital Allowances.
What the Scheme Covers
The Depot Charging Scheme funds the capital cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at commercial fleet depots. Eligible costs include:
- DC fast charge points (22 kW and above)
- AC charge points (3.7 kW–22 kW)
- Power management hardware and switchgear
- Cabling and civil works
- Energy management software licences (first year)
- Installation and commissioning labour
What it does not cover: ongoing energy costs, maintenance contracts, or vehicles.
Modern fleet depots require integrated power management alongside individual charge points; all qualifying costs are eligible under the scheme.
Who Is Eligible?
You are eligible if you:
- Operate a fleet of commercial vehicles from a UK depot
- Are a registered UK business or public sector organisation
- Have not already started installation work before applying
- Are installing charge points for your own fleet vehicles (not public use)
Multiple sites can be included in a single application. There is no minimum fleet size: even a 10-vehicle logistics depot qualifies.
Eligible operators include bus and coach operators, logistics and delivery companies, waste collection fleets, local authority vehicle fleets, and airport ground handling operators.
How Much Can You Claim?
| Scenario | Installed Cost | 75% Grant | Your Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-bay AC logistics depot | ~£80,000 | £60,000 | £20,000 |
| 20-bay DC fleet depot | ~£400,000 | £300,000 | £100,000 |
| 50-bay bus garage | ~£1,200,000 | £750,000* | £450,000 |
*Capped at £1M per organisation. Large bus garage projects may also be eligible for ZEBRA scheme funding for the bus vehicles themselves.
Application Process
Note: Under the scheme rules, work started before application approval was ineligible for the grant. This requirement applies to all OZEV-administered schemes — check current scheme guidance before beginning any installation work.
Combining With Other Funding Schemes
The Depot Charging Scheme can be stacked with other UK funding mechanisms to substantially reduce your net project cost.
Fleet operators can combine Depot Charging Scheme grants with ZEBRA bus procurement funding and Enhanced Capital Allowances for maximum financial benefit.
How Neutron Can Help
Neutron Systems has delivered depot charging infrastructure for fleet operators globally, covering projects from 10-bay logistics depots to 100-bay bus garages.
We offer:
- Free depot assessment with DNO capacity analysis and load modelling
- Grant application support: our team has guided clients through OZEV, ZEBRA and LEVI applications
- OZEV-registered installer network across the UK
- Master-Terminal architecture that scales from 240 kW to 960 kW without requiring individual high-power connections at each bay, reducing civils cost and maximising your eligible grant claim
Frequently Asked Questions
How much grant funding does the OZEV Depot Charging Scheme provide?
The OZEV Depot Charging Scheme funds up to 75% of eligible depot EV charging infrastructure costs, with a maximum of £1 million per applicant. The total scheme pot is £30 million. Eligible costs include hardware, installation, civil works, and project management.
Who is eligible for the OZEV Depot Charging Scheme?
Eligibility is open to fleet operators and businesses based in the UK that operate or are transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. Applicants must have a depot or private site where charging infrastructure will be installed. The scheme targets operators who are not yet able to access commercial financing for depot charging infrastructure.
What costs does the OZEV Depot Charging Scheme grant cover?
The OZEV grant covers hardware (charge points and power conversion units), installation labour, civil engineering works (groundworks, cabling, cable ducts), and eligible project management costs. It does not cover vehicles, land acquisition, or ongoing operational costs.
Can I combine the OZEV Depot Charging Scheme with other government funding?
Yes, the OZEV Depot Charging Scheme can be stacked with other public funding in certain cases. For example, bus operators may combine OZEV depot charging grants with ZEBRA scheme funding for zero-emission buses. Logistics operators may be eligible to combine OZEV funding with the LEVI (Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) fund. Always verify current stacking rules with OZEV before applying.
Is the OZEV Depot Charging Scheme still accepting applications?
This funding round closed on 30 June 2026. OZEV has reopened depot charging funding in successive rounds in previous years, so a further round remains possible, though no date has been confirmed. In the meantime, LEVI, ZEBRA 2.0, and Enhanced Capital Allowances remain live routes to funding a depot charging project. Contact Neutron to check current scheme availability and to be notified if the Depot Charging Scheme reopens.
Looking for current fleet funding options?
The OZEV Depot Charging Scheme closed 30 June 2026. LEVI, ZEBRA 2.0, and Enhanced Capital Allowances remain available. Contact Neutron to find out which schemes your depot qualifies for.
Neutron Systems is a UK-registered EV charging infrastructure company (Company No. 07167274). OZEV scheme details are current as of June 2026; verify eligibility and deadlines at ozev.gov.uk before applying.