To unlock the full cost-saving potential of a plug-in electric vehicle, they should ideally be charged at home, wherever possible. Until now, this has typically occurred off-street in garages and driveways. In many parts of the UK – especially in urban areas – off-street parking is not available to most residents.
By installing chargepoints on-street in areas such as these, residents without off-street parking can enjoy the convenience and value of charging their plug-in electric vehicles at home. As more residents use electric vehicles, communities will benefit from improved air quality and will lower their carbon footprint.
£4.5 million funding available from OLEV until 31st March 2020 for local authorities to provide on-street chargepoints for residents
The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) announced the continuation of the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, to increase the availability of plug-in vehicle charging infrastructure for residents who do not have access to off-street parking.
The additional funding includes £2m for 18/19 and £2.5m for 19/20 and local authorities are invited to submit applications to receive funding towards the installation of on-street electric vehicle chargepoints in residential areas.
Funding
- Local Authorities can receive a grant to part fund (75%) the capital costs relating to the procurement and installation of on-street electric vehicle chargepoint infrastructure in residential areas
- OLEV will provide up to £7,500 per chargepoint installation
- Each project should not exceed more than £100k in OLEV funding (applications exceeding this will be reviewed on a case by case basis)
- Grants will be paid by OLEV in arrears upon completion of the project
Application process
Eligibility
- Local Authorities must have explicit support of the relevant Highways Authority
- Local Authorities are responsible for estimating and controlling project costs and delivery
- Chargepoints are located in residential areas that lack off-street parking and adhere to OLEV technical specifications
The OLEV guidance provides further information about the Scheme, what type of projects will be eligible and how to complete the application form.
Application assistance
Energy Saving Trust is administering this scheme with support from OLEV and can provide advice and guidance to Local Authorities on the preparation of an eligible and successful application. Funding will be allocated to successful applications on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
Helpful resources
Factsheets are available for Local Authorities, chargepoint installers and consumers summarise details of the scheme such as the application process, the eligibility criteria, and what the grant covers.
Other grants available from OLEV include the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme for those with off-street parking available and the Workplace Charging Scheme.
Latest updates regarding the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme
October 2017
Transport minister Jesse Norman announced additional funding for ORCS at the Smarter Travel Live! event in Milton Keynes on 19 October. ORCS funding has been extended with £2million for 2018/19 and £2.5million for 2019/20 available to Local Authorities to install on-street chargepoints for residents.
June 2017
A webinar featuring two case studies of electric vehicle chargepoints being installed in residential areas was held on Tuesday 13 June. The presentation was half an hour with half an hour for questions.
Contributors were:
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Greg Edwards, London Borough of Hounslow, talking about a successful roll-out of lamppost charging.
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Elizabeth Bohun, Oxford City Council, on activities relating to Oxford’s Go Ultra Low City Scheme bid.
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Ross Jones from OLEV will be available to answer your queries.
Please register to access a recording of the webinar and the questions and answers.
February 2017
New press release regarding the chargepoint scheme is published - take a look at the Energy Saving Trust blog article and follow updates on Twitter with #OLEVORCS for further information.
Webinar outlining the scheme and answering questions from Local Authorities was held - register to access the recording. For more detail on the scheme, there are helpful questions and answers from the webinar.