Domestic Chargepoint Funding Scheme (Scotland): A Complete Guide
Learn all you need to know about the Domestic Chargepoint Funding Scheme in Scotland, including what the grant covers and how to apply.
Summary
- The Domestic Chargepoint Funding Scheme is a grant available to Scottish residents. It helps with the costs of purchasing and installing an electric vehicle charging point at home.
- The grant is funded by Transport Scotland and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, offering up to £400 in funding.
- There are two routes you can go down to receive funding. Route 1 is aimed at those living in rural or remote areas of Scotland. Route 2 is for used electric vehicle owners who have purchased their vehicle through the Used Electric Vehicle Loan.
- The grant is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also certain eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet to apply.
Table of Contents
1. What is the Domestic Chargepoint Funding Scheme?
2. Am I eligible for funding for a Domestic Chargepoint?
3. How do I find an approved installer for Domestic Chargepoints?
4. How does the process for a Domestic Chargepoint work?
5. Grants and incentives at The Taxi Centre
What is the Domestic Chargepoint Funding Scheme?
For some electric vehicle (EV) owners, access to home charging can sometimes be an issue. The costs of procuring and installing these can often be expensive.
That’s where the Domestic Chargepoint Funding Scheme comes in. Funded by Transport Scotland with the help of Energy Saving Trust, the grant is open to Scottish residents.
It offers up to £400 towards the cost of purchasing and installing a home EV chargepoint, and funding is available via two routes:
- Route 1 - for electric vehicle owners living in rural and remote areas of Scotland
- Route 2 - For used electric vehicle owners who purchased their vehicle through the Used Electric Vehicle Loan.
Applicants can only receive funding for one grant type up to £400, though you can apply for both funding streams using Route 2.
Am I eligible for funding for a Domestic Chargepoint?
The way you access funding for a home charging point will depend on the route. For Route 1, the eligibility criteria is as follows:
- You must live in a category 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 area, or an island in Scotland.
- You must own or lease an electric vehicle (including through work)
- Your postcode must be eligible, which you can check on Energy Saving Trust's (EST) website
You’ll need to complete a short application form and upload a quote from your chosen installer. EST recommends getting at least three different quotes to ensure value for money. You’ll only need to submit your preferred quote in your application.
It’s important to note that the installation work must not start until you have received a written offer for your grant from EST. Funding is not allocated for installations that have started or have already been completed.
For Route 2 you must:
- Live in Scotland
- Have purchased an electric vehicle through the Used Electric Vehicle Loan
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Again, you’ll need to upload a quote from your preferred installer and provide proof of purchase to show the vehicle is yours.
How do I find an approved installer for Domestic Chargepoints?
All installations must be carried out by an installer who has been approved by both the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV) and Energy Saving Trust.
To find an installer you can use EST's online map and view all the approved installers in your area. Make sure to check that any installer used is approved by the Electric Vehicle Consumer Code for Home Chargepoints (EVCC). This ensures high standards at each stage of the process.
Payment will be made between you and the installer, and any payments made before the installation is at your own risk.
How does the process for a Domestic Chargepoint work?
If you’re interested in getting a home chargepoint installed using the grant, all you need to do is follow a few steps:
1. Contact a local chargepoint installer and request a quote.
2. Submit your application with your preferred quote to Energy Saving Trust. Remember to submit your V5 document or an invoice to prove you own an electric vehicle.
3. Once your application has been approved, you’ll receive your grant of up to £400 towards your chargepoint installation.
4. After the work has been completed, you’ll receive an invoice from the installer and a certificate as confirmation.
5. If the costs for installing your chargepoint increase after receiving your offer letter, you’ll need to notify EST as soon as possible. If you change installers without notifying EST, your offer could be withdrawn.
6. After making your payment, you’ll receive an invoice from the installer. You’ll then need to complete a claim form and upload this along with your paid invoice to an online portal on EST’s website.
Grants and incentives at The Taxi Centre
We hope you’ve found this guide useful. For more information on the Domestic Chargepoint Funding Scheme, visit Energy Saving Trust's website.
If you’re a taxi driver looking to upgrade your business and save money, why not take a look at the other grants and incentives available to you?
Ready to start looking for your next taxi? At The Taxi Centre, we have a range of new taxis for sale from the industry’s leading manufacturers. These include Ford, Hyundai, Kia , LEVC , MG , Nissan , Renault , Toyota , Skoda , and Volkswagen .
If you’re unsure which taxi suits you, get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to lend their expertise. We’ll be happy to help you find the perfect taxi for your needs.