Depot Charging Scheme key dates
For fleet operators considering an application, these are the most important dates currently published by the Government:
| Date | Status |
|---|---|
| 30 June 2026 | Window 1 applications closed |
| 30 September 2026 | Government target for completing Window 1 award decisions |
| 28 October 2026 | Window 2 expected to open |
| 29 January 2027 | Window 2 expected to close |
| April 2027 | Window 2 projects expected to be able to start |
| 31 March 2028 | Expected deadline for completing Window 2 projects |
Start your Depot Charging Scheme application here
Window 1 projects must be completed by 31 March 2027. The Government expects Window 2 to support projects beginning from April 2027 and completed by 31 March 2028.
Important: Window 2 dates are currently described by the Government as expected dates. Its final terms and grant rates have not yet been confirmed.
What is the Depot Charging Scheme?
The Depot Charging Scheme provides Government funding towards the cost of installing EV charging infrastructure at commercial fleet depots.
It is intended to help operators overcome some of the upfront infrastructure costs involved in switching vans, heavy goods vehicles and coaches to battery-electric alternatives.
The Government launched the £170 million multi-year programme following an earlier Depot Charging Scheme pilot. Funding runs from April 2026 to 2030.
How much funding is available?
The Government has allocated £66 million across the first two application windows:
- £28 million for Window 1, for expenditure during 2026/27
- £38 million for Window 2, for expenditure during 2027/28
Under Window 1, successful applicants can receive funding for 70% of eligible chargepoint and civil costs, up to £1 million across all depot sites included in the application.
Will Window 2 also cover 70% of costs?
This has not yet been confirmed.
The Government has stated that the terms and grant rate for Window 2 will be published separately. It has also confirmed that grant rates are expected to reduce over the lifetime of the programme as charging infrastructure becomes more affordable.
Businesses preparing for Window 2 should therefore not assume that the 70% Window 1 funding rate will continue.
Who can apply for the Depot Charging Scheme?
Under the currently published eligibility requirements, an organisation must:
- Have, or plan to introduce, at least one battery-electric van, HGV or coach
- Explain how those electric vehicles affect its depot charging requirements
- Be registered and operating in the UK
- Have operated its organisation and vehicle fleet in the UK for at least one year
- Own or lease at least one UK depot
- Use the funding only within the UK
- Have approval for the proposal from a senior leader within the organisation
- Agree to ongoing monitoring and evaluation, which may include site visits or audits
- Ensure commercial vehicles are the primary users of the funded charging infrastructure
- Agree not to receive overlapping Government funding for the same funded activity
The scheme applies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but does not include the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
Can you apply for more than one depot?
Yes.
Under the Window 1 rules, there is no limit to the number of eligible depot sites that can be included.
However, an organisation can submit only one application, and the Window 1 maximum grant of £1 million applies across all sites included within that application.
For example, a fleet operating depots in London, Birmingham and Manchester could potentially include all three locations within the same application rather than applying separately for each depot.
Final multi-site rules for Window 2 should be checked when the Government publishes the next application guidance.
What does the Depot Charging Scheme pay for?
The current Government guidance describes the scheme as funding chargepoint and associated civil costs involved in creating depot charging infrastructure.
This means the scheme is focused on the infrastructure required to charge battery-electric commercial vehicles at fleet depots rather than the vehicles themselves.
Because the detailed eligibility rules for Window 2 have not yet been published, businesses should avoid assuming that every part of a proposed charging project will qualify for funding.
The final Window 2 guidance should be checked before committing expenditure.
Does the scheme pay for electric vans or HGVs?
No. The Depot Charging Scheme is an infrastructure grant.
Support for eligible electric vans and trucks is available separately through the Government’s Zero Emission Van and Truck Grant.
This means fleet operators may be able to combine separate Government support for vehicles and depot charging infrastructure, subject to the rules of each scheme.
When will Window 1 applicants receive a decision?
The Government aims to conclude all Window 1 award decisions by 30 September 2026.
Window 1 covered applications submitted between 25 March and 30 June 2026. Successful projects then have until 31 March 2027 to complete the funded works.
When does Window 2 of the Depot Charging Scheme open?
The Government currently expects Window 2 to open on 28 October 2026 and close on 29 January 2027.
It is expected to provide £38 million of funding for projects starting from April 2027, with funded works completed by 31 March 2028.
However, the Government has made clear that Window 2 terms and grant rates have not yet been confirmed.
Fleet operators planning to apply should therefore begin preparing their project now while continuing to monitor the official guidance.
Is the Depot Charging Scheme first come, first served?
Yes. The Government’s published scheme documentation states that applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
This makes preparation particularly important. Operators should aim to have the technical, operational and financial information required for their project ready before the next application window opens.
The specific application arrangements for Window 2 should still be checked once its final terms are published.
What should fleet operators prepare before Window 2?
Businesses considering an application can use the period before Window 2 opens to define their charging requirements and build a clear infrastructure plan.
1. Understand your future electric fleet
Identify which vans, HGVs or coaches you expect to electrify and when they will enter the fleet.
Your application will need to explain how these vehicles create a requirement for depot charging.
2. Calculate your charging requirements
Consider:
- How many vehicles will charge at the depot
- How much energy each vehicle requires
- When vehicles return to the depot
- How long they are available to charge
- The charging speeds required
- Whether vehicles need to charge simultaneously
This helps determine the number, type and power of chargers required.
3. Assess your depot’s electrical capacity
Installing multiple commercial EV chargers can create a substantial new electrical load.
Your existing supply, distribution equipment and electrical infrastructure should therefore be assessed early to understand whether the proposed charging system can be supported.
4. Decide which depots to include
Organisations operating several sites should determine which locations are suitable for electrification and which should be included within the application.
Under the Window 1 rules, multiple depots could be included within one application.
5. Build a clear project budget
Developing the project scope early makes it easier to understand installation costs, potential grant support and the organisation’s own required investment.
The exact Window 2 funding percentage should not be assumed until the Government publishes its final terms.
6. Secure internal approval
Current eligibility requirements state that the proposal must have approval from a senior leader within the organisation.
Obtaining internal approval before applications open can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Do not start funded work before your Grant Funding Agreement
This is one of the most important rules for applicants.
Expenditure is only considered eligible if it takes place after the Grant Funding Agreement has been signed.
Businesses should therefore avoid beginning work they expect the grant to cover until they have received the necessary award confirmation and signed the relevant agreement.
Planning, surveys and project preparation can still help ensure that the project is ready to progress once funding arrangements are confirmed.
How to apply for the Depot Charging Scheme
The Depot Charging Scheme is not currently open for new applications.
The Government expects the next application window to open on 28 October 2026, with further application information to be published before the scheme reopens.
Start your Depot Charging Scheme application here
Because applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis under the currently published rules, operators considering Window 2 should prepare their charging strategy, depot requirements and supporting information in advance.
Secure your grant, then contact ElectrAssure
Electrassure has a dedicated installation team ready to offer full A-Z service once businesses secure their grant approval. From site survey, infrastructure design through to installation and ongoing maintenance, ElectrAssure offers guidance from start to finish to those organisations who have taken full advantage of the benefits the Depot Charging Scheme offers.
Depot Charging Scheme FAQs
Is the Depot Charging Scheme open now?
No. Window 1 closed on 30 June 2026. The Government expects Window 2 to open on 28 October 2026 and close on 29 January 2027.
How much is the Depot Charging Scheme worth?
The wider programme is worth £170 million and runs from April 2026 to 2030. £28 million was allocated to Window 1 and £38 million is expected to be available through Window 2.
Does the Depot Charging Scheme cover 70% of installation costs?
Window 1 covers 70% of eligible chargepoint and civil costs, subject to the scheme limits. The grant rate for Window 2 has not yet been confirmed.
What is the maximum Depot Charging Scheme grant?
Under Window 1, organisations can receive up to £1 million across all included depot sites. The final limits applying to Window 2 have not yet been confirmed.
Can I apply for funding for several depots?
Under the Window 1 rules, yes. There is no limit on the number of sites included, but organisations can submit only one application and the funding cap applies across those sites.
What vehicles qualify for the Depot Charging Scheme?
The scheme is designed to support depot charging for battery-electric vans, HGVs and coaches. An organisation must already operate, or plan to introduce, at least one qualifying battery-electric commercial vehicle.
Do I have to own the depot?
No. Eligible organisations can own or lease the UK depot or depots included within the project.
Can the grant be used to buy electric vehicles?
No. The Depot Charging Scheme funds charging infrastructure rather than vehicle purchases. Eligible electric vans and trucks may receive separate support through the Zero Emission Van and Truck Grant.
When can Window 2 projects start?
The Government expects Window 2 to support projects starting from April 2027, with delivery completed by 31 March 2028. Final Window 2 terms are still to be confirmed.