UK schools are installing EV charging points with up to 75% government funding through the Workplace Charging Scheme, supporting sustainable transport for staff while creating new revenue opportunities and community engagement.
Schools across the UK are starting to look seriously at electric vehicle charging points—not just for staff, but for visitors and the wider community. As more teachers and school employees switch to electric cars, the need for charging at work has shot up.
State-funded schools and education institutions can access up to 75% funding through the Workplace Charging Scheme, covering up to £2,500 per charging socket with a maximum of 40 sockets per institution. This is a big jump from what was available before and shows the UK is really pushing for more charging points in schools.
Getting EV charge points set up at a school isn’t just about plugging in a unit. You’ve got to think about technical requirements, electrical load, and even whether the school might earn a bit of extra income from letting others use the chargers. Schools need to weigh up the options, figure out what funding is out there, and consider how these chargers could help the whole community—not just the staff—while also ticking the sustainability box.
There are specialist EV charging services for schools, with setups that fit educational sites. Picking between fast and standard chargers, and deciding on public access, will really affect both cost and how much work it takes to keep things running smoothly.
Schools usually choose from three main charging speeds. Slow chargers (3-7kW) are cheap to install and fine if you’re charging overnight or for long periods.
Fast chargers (7-22kW) give staff and visitors a quicker top-up—enough to fill most batteries in 3-6 hours.
Rapid chargers (50kW+) are the quickest, but they’re expensive to install and need big upgrades to the school’s electrics. Most schools skip these unless there’s a special reason.
Type 2 connectors are the standard in the UK and work with all modern EVs. They’re reliable and what most people expect to find.
Tethered chargers come with the cable attached, while untethered ones mean users bring their own. State-funded schools often go for tethered options—it’s just simpler for everyone.
Custom EV charging setups can be tailored to each school. You’ll want to look at your parking spaces, power supply, and how much use you expect.
Site surveys are essential to see if your current electrics can handle new charging points. Many schools end up needing upgrades to support several chargers at once.
Installation locations usually start with staff parking, then move to visitors if there’s enough demand. If your school has several sites, you can apply for up to 40 sockets per institution.
Future-proofing means putting in extra conduits now, even if you’re not adding more chargers straight away. It’s a bit of a hassle upfront but saves money later as more people go electric.
Load management systems are smart tech that stops the electrics from being overloaded if too many cars are charging at once. They share out the available power so nothing trips out.
Schools have to decide: keep chargers for staff only, or let the wider community use them? Private access usually means you need a pass or app to use the charger.
Public access can bring in money, but you’ll have to follow Public Chargepoint Regulations 2023, so things like contactless payment and clear pricing are a must.
Hybrid approaches are common—restrict access during school hours, then open up in the evenings or weekends. That way, you get the best of both worlds.
Revenue considerations include the cost of electricity, maintenance, and what you might earn from letting the public use the chargers. Schools often team up with charging networks like voltshare to handle payments and customer support.
Security measures like CCTV, good lighting, and clear signs are important if you go public. There’s always a balance between opening up to the community and keeping things secure and manageable.
The UK government offers generous funding to help state-funded schools install EV chargers. You can get up to 75% of the cost covered through special grant schemes just for education.
The Workplace Charging Scheme for state-funded education institutions is the main way schools in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland get support. This grant covers 75% of the cost to buy and install EV chargepoints.
State schools get a better deal than most workplaces—up to £2,500 per socket instead of the usual £350. Independent schools have to use the standard scheme or other grants, and Channel Islands/Isle of Man schools aren’t eligible for these funds.
To get the grant, schools need to show they have (or will have) EVs needing charging. You also need off-street parking linked to the school, for staff, visitors, or the school’s own vehicles.
There are a few boxes to tick for WCS funding. You need off-street parking, the right authority to apply, and you can’t have already claimed for the same chargers under another scheme.
Key eligibility requirements include:
You’ll need a reference number: URN for English/Welsh schools, SEED for Scotland, or the Department of Education code for Northern Ireland.
Once approved, you get a voucher code (usually within five working days), valid for 180 days. Give that to your installer—they claim the grant directly.
Academy trusts do well here—each school in the trust gets its own 40-socket allocation, not just one pot for the whole trust.
If you’ve got several sites, you can spread your 40-socket maximum across them. The scheme allows multiple claims up to your limit.
Ways to make the most of funding:
If you’re opening chargers to the public, you’ll need to stick to Public Chargepoint Regulations 2023. That can help schools earn from community usage, but the main focus should still be education.
OZEV sometimes audits installations, so keep good records—applications, installs, and usage data—in case you’re picked for a check.
Setting up EV charging at schools brings a bunch of upsides—from helping staff switch to electric cars to giving schools a way to earn a bit extra. Plus, it’s a real step towards bigger environmental goals and can put schools at the heart of community sustainability efforts.
As more staff make the switch to electric vehicles, schools are stepping up with workplace charging solutions. Thanks to the workplace charging scheme, over 1,400 EV charging sockets have popped up across UK schools and colleges, all backed by £3 million in government investment.
Key advantages for staff include:
Having EV charging on-site takes away a lot of the hassle that stops people from going electric. Teachers and support staff can plug in while they're working, so there's no need to scramble for a public charger after a long day.
Letting visitors use the chargers is a nice touch, too. Parents coming in for meetings or events can top up their cars, and it subtly shows the school's not just talking about sustainability—they're actually doing it.
EV charging isn't just for staff and parents—it's turning schools into community sustainability hubs. When school's out, locals can use the chargers, which helps build real connections beyond the classroom.
Some schools even open up charging to the public on evenings and weekends, bringing in a little extra revenue. That money can go back into school projects or sprucing up the facilities.
Chargers on site aren't just for show—they're a teaching tool. Students get to see real-world examples of renewable energy and climate action, which makes those lessons stick a bit more.
Installing EV chargers pays off in more ways than one. Over time, schools cut their carbon footprint by making it easier for everyone—staff, parents, even neighbors—to go electric.
The government's £2.3 billion investment in EV infrastructure is a big push toward long-term sustainability. And with 382,000 EVs sold in 2024 alone, demand for charging isn't slowing down.
Long-term advantages include:
Lots of providers now offer fully maintained charging solutions—no upfront costs, no headaches about repairs. Schools just get reliable chargers and can focus on the bigger picture.
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