With a generous government grant still available, now is the time for schools to consider EV charging. But where do you start? We spoke to Dave Evans from McNally EV, one of voltshare’s valued installer partners, to cover the practicalities of school installations.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay, and schools across the UK are beginning to recognise the value in providing EV charging - both as a staff benefit and as a step toward long-term sustainability goals.

But the process of getting chargers installed can seem complex. How much does it cost? What kind of infrastructure is needed? And how can you make the most of the government grant?

The OZEV grant: A major opportunity

One of the biggest incentives for schools is the government’s EV chargepoint grant for state-funded education institutions. It covers up to £2,500 per charger and 75% of the total installation cost.

“It’s a brilliant grant - far more generous than what’s available to most workplaces,” says Dave. “When you compare it to something like the WCS grant, which gives £350 per socket, this is a no-brainer for schools.”

McNally EV has helped multiple schools access this funding, including large academy groups with multiple sites. “We worked with one academy trust to install chargers across nine schools,” Dave explains. “In each case, we tailored the install to the specific site, making sure we got the most out of the grant.”

What’s involved in the installation?

Every school is different, and the installation depends largely on two factors: available power supply and usage needs.

“Some sites can only support a couple of 7kW chargers. Others have more capacity and can go up to 22kW,” says Dave. “But power isn’t everything: you also have to consider how the chargers will be used.”

In many cases, the chargers are intended primarily for staff use. That means cars are likely to be parked for several hours, making slower 7kW units perfectly sufficient.

“There’s no point putting in a 22kW charger if every car is only going to draw 7kW anyway,” Dave says. “You’re better off installing multiple 7kW units and getting more coverage.”

McNally EV conducts a full pre-survey for each site, checking power availability and discussing usage expectations with the school. “We’re always thinking about future-proofing,” Dave adds. “Even if you only need two chargers now, we try to install in a way that makes it easy to add more later.”

Custom solutions for different schools

Voltshare and McNally’s approach is highly consultative, working closely with schools to design cost-effective solutions. “We had one school that originally wanted just one charger,” Dave recalls. “But once we looked at the grant and what we could install for a little extra, they ended up going with two. It just made sense.”

Installations vary widely in complexity. “Some schools just need a simple wall-mounted unit. Others require feeder pillars, underground cabling, and multiple charge points,” he says. “The key is to make sure each site gets a tailored solution that works for them and fits their budget.”

Pay-As-You-Go charging that aligns with school “seasonality”

For most schools, EV charging isn’t about turning a profit - it’s about providing a useful service for staff and occasional visitors. That’s why pay-as-you-go systems work so well.

“There’s no monthly subscription or back-end cost eating into school budgets,” says Dave. “Users just scan a QR code and pay for what they use. The school sets a tariff, which is usually just enough to cover electricity and maybe a small surplus to support admin.”

This model is particularly beneficial during school holidays when usage drops. “Some systems charge a subscription even when the chargers aren’t being used,” Dave points out. “With pay-as-you-go, schools aren’t losing money during quiet periods.”

The ROI conversation

Unlike hotels or commercial venues, schools aren’t typically focused on fast returns. “Most of the schools we work with are just happy to cover their costs over time,” Dave explains. “The grant covers so much of the initial outlay that they’re not relying on high usage to make it worthwhile.”

Still, McNally works with each school to estimate usage and ensure costs are recovered sensibly. “We look at who’s going to use the chargers - staff, parents, even community groups during sports events - and make sure the setup reflects that.”

A growing opportunity

With the grant now extended for another year, interest from schools is growing. “More and more schools are finding out about the funding and realising how little it might cost them to get EV charging on-site,” says Dave. “But many still don’t know it exists.”

McNally EV is continuing outreach efforts to ensure schools can take advantage while the grant lasts. “We’re busy, but we’re always ready to help another school get started,” Dave says. “It’s all about giving them the right advice and making the process as smooth as possible.”

Thinking of installing EV chargers at your school?

Here’s what to consider:

• Check power availability at your site
• Think about who will use the chargers - staff, visitors, community?
• Maximise the grant - up to £2,500 per charger
• Plan for the future - even if you start small, leave room to expand
• Work with an experienced installer who can guide you through the process
• Select hardware and a software platform designed for your needs, including seasonality

With the right advice and funding, EV charging is more accessible than ever for schools. Contact us today for a free survey for your school.