Harry Macgregor, Head of Business Development of ChargeGuru UK
OZEV grant changes for landlords and property managers have kicked in this month and have shifted how EV charging is funded across the UK.
Before 1st April, apartment buildings could claim up to £500 per parking space – up to a total of £30,000 per building – to cover the cost of installing essential, but costly, EV charging infrastructure. From 1st April, that support is no longer available, leaving many buildings unable to move forward with their EV charging plans without private investment.
While recent headlines have focused on the increased funding for individual chargepoint installations, a move widely framed as a positive step, this tells only half the story for those managing multi-dwelling units. The withdrawal of the electric vehicle infrastructure grant for landlords means many buildings will now lack the support needed to make projects viable at scale without third-party funding. Although the updated funding landscape places a higher financial burden on infrastructure, it doesn’t have to stall your rollout. While ChargeGuru continues to bridge this gap through our fully-funded solution for apartment and office buildings, there are still other funding options available to ensure your buildings are EV-ready.
The funding changes property managers should know
Before these changes, the electric vehicle infrastructure grant for residential landlords meant that up to £850 per parking bay could be claimed via the OZEV grant scheme. This covered £500 for infrastructure and £350 for the chargepoint. But, under the new scheme, support has dropped to £500, and only becomes available once a chargepoint has been installed.
This removes the funding that was initially available to support the installation of the pre-infrastructure, which consists of cabling, distribution and safety systems critical to making the installation financially and operationally viable.
In reality, these changes make EV charging less accessible for people living in flats and could significantly slow down the shift to electric transport. The policy shift reduces one of the main sources of financial support for EV adoption for those who live in apartments, increases reliance on private capital and poses safety concerns to property leaders.
What’s next for safe, scalable installations?
Changes to OZEV support have widened the cost gap between public and home charging, meaning some apartment residents could consider utilising the £500 OZEV grant to install their own chargers. This raises significant challenges around building safety, billing fairness, load management, aesthetics and long-term consistency. Property managers should look towards a coordinated, building-wide strategy in order to achieve a solution that is both safe and scalable.
Government funding has always been subject to change, but these shifts have brought to light how quickly the landscape can evolve. By not acting or delaying surveys, property managers risk leaving their residents without access to at-home charging for even longer.
However, alongside these changes, resident expectations are rising. ChargeGuru data found that 74% of drivers feel onsite EV charging is a meaningful factor when deciding where to live. If building managers and owners invest in EV charging solutions, they are actively supporting their tenant attraction, retention and long-term asset value.
Practical funding scenarios without the OZEV grant
Several funding approaches still remain available for installing safe EV charging infrastructure across your properties.
- Freeholder Funded
One route is for the freeholder to finance the infrastructure directly. This offers a long-term asset upgrade, full oversight of the system, prevention of ad‑hoc resident installations, and the flexibility to expand over time. The trade-off, however, is the upfront capital required, along with the responsibility for ongoing management and maintenance of the charging network. - Resident Co-funded
Another option is a resident co‑funding model, where all residents contribute to shared infrastructure works, and individual chargers are installed when needed. While this provides transparency and shared ownership, it does present challenges: the building must still manage ongoing maintenance and operations, and securing agreement from residents, especially those who don’t have or expect to own an EV, can be difficult. - Private Investment
Third‑party funded solutions offer a middle path by removing upfront costs for both freeholders and residents who don’t want a charger. Providers like ChargeGuru invest in the infrastructure themselves, absorbing the initial outlay. In return, residents receive access to reliable, fairly priced charging points. This model delivers a safe, scalable, and low‑administration solution for buildings, offering a more sustainable long‑term strategy for EV charging in apartment buildings.
2026: Where disruption meets opportunity
The withdrawal of the electric vehicle infrastructure grant for landlords represents a pivotal moment for the UK’s EV transition. If flat residents aren’t able to charge at home, we’re effectively locking them out of the EV transition.
Our advice to building owners and managers is to reach out to EV charging experts now to discuss scalable, building‑wide EV charging solutions. Engaging with experts now to establish a coordinated, building-wide strategy avoids a fragmented, unmanaged rollout later. While the government’s financial landscape has shifted, safe and efficient solutions remain entirely achievable.
At ChargeGuru, our mission to close the “driveway divide” remains absolute. While the funding landscape has shifted, our commitment hasn’t. Freeholders, property managers, and RTM directors can still access our fully-funded solution, ensuring that the transition to electric remains viable, safe, and cost-free for the building.
