The government has announced a fresh round of changes to EV charging grants, coming into effect from 1 April.

For hospitality venues, this is another important shift. Some funding is increasing, some schemes are closing, and overall the structure is being simplified.

Here’s what it means in practice, and where the opportunity sits.

A boost to Workplace Charging Scheme funding

The headline change is a clear one.

From 1 April, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is increasing from £350 to up to £500 per socket.

For hospitality venues, this is the most relevant grant. Whether you’re installing chargers for guests, staff, or both, this uplift directly reduces the upfront cost.

The scheme still covers up to 75% of installation costs, meaning many venues can now get close to half the total cost covered.

In simple terms, EV charging just became more accessible again.

Funding extended, but only for a limited time

The updated grants are extended until 31 March 2027, giving businesses another year to take advantage.

But there’s an important nuance here.

This is being positioned as a final extension, not an open-ended commitment.

For hospitality businesses that have been considering EV charging but haven’t yet acted, this creates a clear window.

Some grants are closing completely

While the WCS is improving, other schemes are being removed.

From 31 March, the following grants will close:

• Commercial landlord chargepoint grant
• EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets
• Residential landlord infrastructure grant

For larger sites or multi-location hospitality groups, infrastructure funding has historically helped cover wider electrical upgrades. With that support disappearing, planning becomes more important.

A simpler, more streamlined grant landscape

One of the less visible changes is simplification. The government is reducing the number of schemes and introducing a new “Find a Grant” platform to centralise applications.

The goal is to make grants easier to understand and access.

For venues, that means less admin friction and a clearer path from enquiry to installation.

What this means for hospitality venues

From a hospitality perspective, these changes reinforce a trend we’ve already been seeing.

EV charging is moving from a “nice to have” to a standard expectation.

The grant increase helps with the upfront cost, but the real value sits in what charging enables:

• Attracting higher-value guests who drive EVs
• Increasing dwell time and spend on site
• Future-proofing your venue as EV adoption continues to grow
• Strengthening your sustainability credentials

With over 40% of new car sales expected to be electric within the next few years, the shift is already happening.

Why timing still matters

Even with increased funding, timing remains key.

• Some grants are disappearing entirely
• Installer demand tends to spike around deadlines
• Early adopters benefit most from visibility and differentiation

The opportunity for destination venues

For hotels, pubs, golf clubs, and holiday lets, EV charging is a commercial tool. Guests are actively choosing venues where they can charge and in many cases, a charger doesn’t just support bookings, it influences them.

The latest grant changes reduce the barrier to entry again. For hospitality venues that have been on the fence, this is another strong signal that now is the right time to act.

Thinking about installing EV chargers?

At voltshare, we work with hospitality venues across the UK to make EV charging simple and commercially viable.

With our pay-as-you-go model, there’s no fixed monthly fee. You only pay when the charger is used, making it ideal for venues with seasonal or unpredictable demand.

If you’re exploring EV charging and want to understand what these changes mean for your venue, we’re always happy to help.