Everything You Need to Know About New Workplace Charging Scheme for State-Funded Educational Institutions

These days, many logistics businesses in the UK are slowly transitioning their fleets into electric vehicles (EVs) as a practical choice in terms of cost and energy efficiency. Though small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and publicly-funded institutions have been somewhat slower to adopt to this change, the dropping cost of EV charging point installation and EV charging point maintenance services have made EVs even more feasible as work vehicles.

Likewise, the UK government’s continued efforts to meet carbon emissions goals are also proving to be beneficial for workplaces seeking to adopt EVs. Such programmes, such as the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV) Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) and the EV Chargepoint Grant, have done much to accelerate EV adoption by reducing the upfront cost of workplace EV charger installation. Thanks to an expansion of these grants, we may soon see an EV chargepoint in almost every school in the UK.

In early 2024, the popular WCS was expanded to cover chargepoint installation costs of state-funded educational institutions across the United Kingdom. With this wider scope, the Workplace Charging Scheme for State-Funded Educational Institutions is set to ramp up the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints in qualified schools throughout the UK. Let’s look at everything you need to know about this new scheme:

What Is the ‘Workplace Charging Scheme for State-Funded Educational Institutions’?

This is an expansion of the WCS that covers grants to state-funded educational institutions to assist with the purchase, installation, and infrastructure of EV chargepoints. The goal of this initiative is to help schools overcome the initial cost barrier to EV chargepoint installation, hopefully encouraging a transition to cleaner, more economical transportation.

Grant Coverage and Eligibility Criteria

Under the new scheme, qualified educational institutions can receive funds covering 75% of the total costs—up to £2,500 per chargepoint socket. However, there is a limit of 40 sockets across all sites, including any previous applications made through the scheme.

To be eligible for the grant, institutions must meet specific criteria, including confirming the need for electric vehicle chargepoints and having dedicated off-street parking facilities associated with their premises. Multi-academy trusts must also submit separate applications for each school or institution.

Application Process and Eligibility

Designated contact persons for state-funded schools may apply for the expanded scheme by completing a detailed application form on the WCS website. Importantly, applicants must meet the following key eligibility requirements:

  • Applicants must confirm whether a site survey has been conducted to assess the suitability of their premises for EV charging infrastructure.

  • Applicants must ensure the presence of dedicated off-street parking facilities so that there is a safe and convenient location for installing electric vehicle chargepoints. These parking spaces must be clearly associated with the educational institution and shown to be accessible to staff, visitors, or parents/guardians. 

  • Educational institutions applying for the WCS must show a commitment to promoting EV use within their community, including among parents and staff. There should be active efforts to encourage staff to transition to electric vehicles, and information on the benefits of EVs must be shared with school stakeholders

  • The OZEV reserves the right to request additional evidence to support individual applicants’ claims. Audits may be conducted by the office to enforce compliance with the scheme’s guidelines. 

Benefits of EV Chargepoints for Schools

Though the WCS is primarily intended to help Britain meet its carbon reduction commitments, the reduced installation costs may bring a wide array of benefits for schools and their associated communities. Some of these benefits may include:

  • Lower Operational Costs. Schools with EV chargepoints stand to benefit from the same economic advantages enjoyed by businesses that have transitioned to EVs.

  • More Resources for Other Priorities. The long-term savings that schools can earn by transitioning to EVs ultimately frees up more funds that can be used for other initiatives that directly benefit students.

  • Reduced Noise Pollution. Onsite EV chargepoints can encourage EV use around the school. As EVs are substantially quieter than petrol vehicles, this can create an environment that’s more conducive to learning.

  • Improved Environmental Awareness. Having working chargepoints at schools gives students opportunities to learn about ecological stewardship in a truly meaningful sense.

  • Better Technological Literacy. Exposure to EVs may help students to develop future-relevant technological literacy and problem-solving skills. The on-campus presence of EV components, charging infrastructure, and software applications provide firsthand insights into valuable STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subjects.

An EV-Centred Future for State-Funded Schools

Aside from the compelling economic benefits, the newly expanded Workplace Charging Scheme presents several exciting opportunities for state-funded schools. On-campus chargepoints empower schools to provide students with a better education and help their communities become active participants in the reduction of carbon emissions. 

With the availability of grants and support from new government initiatives, now is the perfect time for educational institutions to embrace EVs and take the lead in creating a more economically viable and sustainable future.