Depot Charging Scheme
The Depot Charging Scheme supports uptake of zero-emission HGVs, vans and coaches by part-funding the installation of charging infrastructure at fleet depots. The first application window ran from 25 March 2026 to 30 June 2026, and will fund 70% of charge point and civil costs, up to £1 million across all sites. The next window is expected to open from 28 October 2026 to 29 January 2027 for projects which may begin from April 2027 and must be delivered by 31 March 2028. Terms and grant rates for this phase are still to be confirmed.
Opening date: 25 March 2026, 12:00pm (Midday) Closing date: 27 October 2026, 12:00pm (Midday)
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Contents
- Summary
- Eligibility
- Objectives
- Dates
- How to apply
- Supporting information
Summary
The Depot Charging Scheme aims to support the uptake of zero emission HGVs, vans, and coaches by part-funding the installation of charging infrastructure at fleet depots. Following a successful 2025/2026 Pilot, we are now launching a £170 million multi-year funding programme from April 2026 up to 2030. £66 million will be available to bid for in two application windows opening this year, with £28 million (window 1) to be spent in 2026/27 and £38 million (window 2) to be spent in 2027/28. The first application window for the multi-year scheme will open on 25 March 2026 with applications assessed on a first-come-first-served basis. The application window closed on 30 June 2026. Projects will have until 31 March 2027 to complete works. This application cycle for projects implemented in 2026/27 will cover 70% of charge point and civil costs incurred, up to a maximum of £1 million across all sites. There is no limit to the number of sites that can be applied for, but the scheme is limited to one application per organisation. We expect the next application window will open on 28 October 2026 and close on 29 January 2027 for projects starting from April 2027, to be delivered by 31 March 2028. Terms and grant rates for this phase of the scheme have not yet been confirmed. Grant funding rates will reduce over the lifetime of the programme as charging infrastructure becomes more affordable. Grant rates and future application windows will be confirmed in due course. Support for the purchase of electric vans and HGVs is available through the Zero Emission Van and Truck Grant.
Eligibility
- Their fleet includes (or will include in future) at least one battery electric van, HGV or coach, and their application will quantify the impact of this on their EV charging needs.
- They are registered and operate in the UK* and their organisation and vehicle fleet has been operating in the UK for at least 1 year at the time of application.
- They own or lease one or more UK depot(s).
- Funding must be used only within the UK.
- A senior leader in their organisation has approved their proposal.
- They consent to participate in ongoing monitoring and evaluation activities, including physical site audits/visits.
- They consent not to apply for, or obtain, similar Government funding in respect of any part of the funded activities.
- They consent to the primary users of the funded infrastructure being commercial vehicles.
- If the infrastructure is shared with other fleet operators, the pricing model will be based on cost recovery for at least three years after the grant is awarded.
- If successful, they will use the funding to install charging infrastructure for battery‑electric vans, HGVs and/or coaches at their depot(s) by 31 March 2027.
*This does not include the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey). Additionally, they confirm agreement to the terms and conditions of the Grant Funding Agreement as part of their application, they note applications will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis and they note expenditure will only be considered eligible if it is carried out after the Agreement has been signed.
Objectives
The Government is supporting the road freight and coach industry to decarbonise their fleets and journeys. By kickstarting the installation of charging infrastructure at depots and providing funding where costs are commercially unviable, the Government is supporting the roll out of zero emission commercial vehicles. The Depot Charging Scheme will work hand in hand with the existing vehicle incentives for zero emission vans and HGVs. By part-funding both the vehicle and the infrastructure, the Government seeks to support operators in installing reliable charging infrastructure at their depots for any battery-electric vehicle purchased.
Dates
Wednesday 25 March 2026 – Launch of application window 1. Tuesday 30 June 2026 – Closure of application window 1 (or earlier if funding is exhausted - we will provide at least 3 working days’ notice on this page). Wednesday 30 September 2026 – Our aim to conclude all award decisions. Wednesday 31 March 2027 – Deadline for project works to conclude.
How to apply
This scheme is not currently open to applications. A further application window is expected to open on 28 October 2026 - further information will be published in due course.
Supporting information
The below templates must be used in the submission of an application. Alternative templates will not be accepted.
- Depot Charging Scheme - FAQ.docx (846 Kb)
- Depot Charging Scheme - Overview of Application Process.docx (2482 Kb)
- Depot Charging Scheme - Letter of Intent.docx (818 Kb)
- Depot Charging Scheme - Workbook.xlsx (507 Kb)
- Depot Charging Scheme - Grant Funding Agreement DRAFT.docx (4304 Kb)
- Depot Charging Scheme - Application Form.docx (2204 Kb)
- Depot Charging Scheme Information Session.mp4 (119132 Kb)