State funded schools can get 75% off the cost to buy and install chargepoints up to £2,500 per socket with up to 40 sockets across all sites. Successful applicants receive a voucher code that is valid for 180 days and the installation must be completed within that window.
Begin with a site survey, not a guess
School projects that run smoothly start with a proper site survey. It confirms available electrical capacity, cable routes and the cleanest charger locations before anything is ordered or applied for.
GOV.UK guidance for state funded education institutions also advises getting an authorised installer to carry out a site survey to make sure the electrical capacity of the site can support the number of sockets you want to install.
On London sites with older estates, mixed refurb phases and busy car parks, that early survey step is where the delays are avoided.
The grant that matters most for state funded schools
The Workplace Charging Scheme for state funded education institutions sets out eligibility and what you can claim. It is available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What the grant covers in plain language
75% off the cost to buy and install chargepoints
Up to £2,500 per socket
Up to 40 sockets across all sites including previous WCS applications
Academy trusts can apply for up to 40 sockets for each institution within the trust
The key requirement many teams miss
The guidance is clear that sites need designated off street parking clearly associated with the premises.
You will need an OZEV authorised installer and the 180 day clock matters
For grant funded installs, installations must be completed by an OZEV authorised commercial chargepoint installer and the claim must be made before the voucher expires. A voucher is valid for 6 months (180 days) from the date of issue.
GOV.UK’s education scheme page also confirms that once you receive a voucher it is valid for 180 days, the installation must be completed within that time and the installer will claim the grant on your behalf and deduct it from your invoice.
This is why EV charging works best as a planned estates job rather than something squeezed in at the end of term.
Decide what the chargers are for before you pick locations
A school that installs chargers for staff only will make different choices to a site that wants visitor charging or public access.
Staff only charging
Usually the simplest option for safeguarding, access and day to day management.
Public use charging
If chargepoints are accessible to the public and you charge for usage, you need to comply with the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 and associated guidance.
If your intention is staff only, keep it staff only in design and operation. It reduces risk and reduces admin.
Capacity and load management: what the survey is really checking
The survey is not just about “can we fit chargers”. It is about whether the site can support charging without nuisance tripping or unplanned upgrades.
A practical survey will look at:
The incoming supply and existing distribution
Spare capacity on boards
Cable routes to the parking area
Earthing arrangement and protective devices
Whether load management is needed to share available capacity across sockets
Where the project needs wider infrastructure such as new submains, distribution changes or dedicated charger boards, it becomes a straightforward electrical installation project. That is where Electrical Installation fits naturally.
Plan the install around school life
The cleanest installs follow the rhythm of the site.
Term time
Best for lighter works with controlled access:
small cable routes
minimal isolations
commissioning outside drop off and pick up peaks
Half term and holidays
Best for heavier work:
new distribution or submains
longer containment runs
bay marking, signage and any resurfacing work
It is rarely the charger itself that causes disruption. It is access, isolations and cable routes.
What to specify so the project stays future proof
A charger install that feels easy in year one can become a headache in year two if the scope is too tight.
A sensible spec should cover:
Socket count now and socket count later
Power per socket based on dwell time
Load management approach if required
Access control if staff only
Location and safeguarding considerations
Maintenance expectations and documentation at handover
The education scheme also states you must use an authorised chargepoint installer to install eligible commercial chargepoints.
Common mistakes that slow school EV charging projects
Applying before the site survey
GOV.UK explicitly recommends a site survey before you begin.
Designing for today only
Even if you only need a couple of sockets now, plan cable routes and containment so expansion does not mean digging everything up again.
Putting chargers in the wrong place
Avoid locations that create new pedestrian conflicts, safeguarding pinch points or operational headaches for out of hours lettings.
Forgetting compliance records
EV charging is part of your electrical estate. Keeping documentation tidy makes audits and future maintenance far easier. If your site already runs planned compliance checks, align EV additions with Electrical Statutory Compliance.
A simple checklist for caretakers, estates teams and local authorities
Confirm who the charging is for and how it will be managed
Agree charger locations that suit safeguarding, access and lettings
Book a site survey to confirm capacity, cable routes and sensible charger positions
Apply for the scheme and plan around the 180 day voucher window
If chargepoints will be publicly accessible, check obligations under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023
More support for education sites
If a school, trust or local authority team wants EV charging scoped properly from the start, details are on Electrical Services for Education. For a quote and a survey request, use Contact Us.