Electric vehicle uptake is growing faster than most businesses have planned for. With 80% of new car sales required to be electric by 2030 under the zero emission vehicle mandate, businesses that leave EV infrastructure until demand forces the issue will pay significantly more to retrofit it.

This guide covers charger types, available grants, typical costs, and the questions to ask before committing to an installation.

Why Businesses Are Installing EV Chargers

There are several distinct reasons a business might invest in on-site EV charging, and the right solution varies depending on which applies:

Employee benefit – Workplace charging is increasingly valued by staff with electric vehicles, particularly where home charging is difficult (flats, terraced housing). Offering free or subsidised charging is a tangible, low-cost perk that supports recruitment and retention.

Company fleet – Businesses operating electric fleets need a reliable overnight or daytime charging solution. Depot charging is typically far cheaper per mile than public charging networks and gives fleet managers full visibility of charging costs and vehicle readiness.

Customer-facing charging – Retail parks, hotels, leisure facilities, and office parks are increasingly expected to offer EV charging as a visitor amenity. In some locations, the presence of chargers actively drives footfall.

Future-proofing – Even businesses with limited current EV demand are installing infrastructure now to avoid disruption and higher costs later, as retrofitting electrical capacity to a site is significantly more expensive than including it in a planned refurbishment.

Types of EV Charger

EV chargers are broadly classified by their power output and charging speed:

Slow chargers (3-7 kW) – Typically used for overnight charging where vehicles are parked for extended periods. A standard 7 kW unit will add around 30-40 miles of range per hour. Suitable for staff parking and depot charging where vehicles are left overnight.

Fast chargers (7-22 kW) – The most common choice for workplace and visitor installations. A 22 kW AC charger can add 60-80 miles of range per hour. Suitable for workplaces where vehicles park for several hours.

Rapid chargers (50-150 kW DC) – Used where quick turnaround is important, such as public forecourts or high-footfall retail locations. Higher installation cost and greater electrical infrastructure requirements. Less commonly needed for typical workplace applications.

Most workplace installations use 7 kW or 22 kW AC chargers, which represent the best balance of cost, installation complexity, and practical charging speed for the majority of business use cases.

Government Grants Available

Two main government grant schemes are relevant to businesses installing EV chargers:

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), provides a grant of up to £350 per socket (capped at 40 sockets per applicant) towards the cost of purchasing and installing EV charge points. The scheme is open to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.

The EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets provides funding for larger-scale installations – up to 75% of the cost of wider infrastructure works such as trenching, cabling, and switchgear upgrades needed to support multiple charge points. This grant is particularly valuable where electrical infrastructure works represent a significant proportion of the overall project cost.

Both schemes require the charge points to be installed by an OZEV-approved installer. Check grant eligibility before committing to a supplier, funding levels and requirements do change, and confirming eligibility upfront avoids unwelcome surprises during installation.

Smart Charging and Energy Management

One of the most important features to look for in a business EV charging system is smart charging capability. A smart charger can:

Shift charging to overnight low-tariff periods, significantly reducing the cost per charge

Apply load management across multiple chargers to prevent the site’s electrical demand from exceeding its connection capacity

Integrate with on-site solar generation or battery storage, prioritising cheap or free renewable electricity for charging

Provide usage reporting and cost allocation, useful for employers reimbursing staff or recovering costs from fleet vehicles

For businesses that have invested in solar PV or battery storage, integrating EV charging as part of a wider energy management system can deliver significant additional savings. Our guide to battery storage for business covers how these technologies work together.

What Does Business EV Charging Cost?

Installation costs vary considerably depending on the number of chargers, the site’s existing electrical infrastructure, and the extent of civils work required. As a broad guide:

Single 7 kW charger (minimal civils): £800-£1,500 installed before grants

Single 22 kW charger: £1,200-£2,500 installed before grants

Multi-unit installations (5-20 chargers): £1,000-£2,000 per charger plus shared infrastructure costs

Electrical infrastructure upgrades (new supply, switchgear, trenching): variable, potentially £10,000-£50,000+ for larger sites

After applying the Workplace Charging Scheme grant, the net cost of a standard single charger installation is often under £1,000. For multi-unit projects, the EV Infrastructure Grant can substantially reduce the civils element.

Ongoing energy costs depend on tariff structure. Businesses on half-hourly metered supplies with time-of-use pricing can charge vehicles at rates significantly below the domestic equivalent by scheduling charging during overnight low-price periods.

Choosing an EV Charging Provider

Quality and independence vary significantly across EV charging providers. Before signing anything, ask:

OZEV approval – required to access Workplace Charging Scheme grants

Hardware warranty and ongoing maintenance – chargers require servicing and occasional repair; what support is included?

Software platform – how is usage monitored, how are costs reported, and does the system integrate with your energy or fleet management tools?

Scalability – can the system accommodate additional chargers as fleet or demand grows?

Independence – some providers lock customers into proprietary hardware with high ongoing software fees; others offer open-protocol systems with more flexibility

How Catalyst Can Help

Catalyst works with businesses across the UK on energy procurement and cost management. The cost of electricity for EV charging depends heavily on tariff structure, businesses with the right supply contract and half-hourly metering in place can charge vehicles at substantially lower rates than the public network equivalent.

If you are planning an EV charging installation and want to make sure your energy supply is set up to support it efficiently, get in touch.

Speak to Catalyst about energy for your EV charging installation