Zero emission vehicles and alternative fuels

Electric vehicles work well for regular short to medium journeys. The growth of rapid charging infrastructure is enabling businesses to use electric vehicles (EVs) for longer journeys. This makes EVs a realistic transport option for many businesses operating within Northern Ireland.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has been installing public charging points across NI. This network enables EV users to charge at various points during longer journeys. Knowing where the public charging points are sited can help with a decision to invest in an EV. There is also financial support for the installation of certain types of private charging points.

Workplace Charging Scheme

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.

The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.

The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:

• £350 per socket
• 40 sockets across all sites per applicant, eg if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site

Find out more about private charge point support.

Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for business staff and fleet car parks

EV infrastructure grants can give small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets.

The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts.

The grant covers 75 per cent of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of £15,000. You can get up to:

• £350 per chargepoint socket installed
• £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure

You can receive up to five grants across five different sites.

Find out more about the chargepoint and infrastructure grant for business staff and fleet car parks.

Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for landlords, including car parks

There are two grants you can get for installing chargepoints for electric vehicles at a property you own.

1. Electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint grant 

An EV chargepoint grant gives you money off the cost of installing an electric vehicle chargepoint socket. 

You can get 75 per cent off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350 per socket.

You can receive up to 200 grants a year for residential properties, and a further 100 for commercial properties.

2. Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant (You cannot apply for the infrastructure grant if you’re a commercial landlord)

An EV infrastructure grant gives you money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets. The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts. 

You can get 75 per cent off the cost of the work up to a maximum of £30,000. The amount depends on how many parking spaces the work covers. 

You can get up to:

• £350 per chargepoint socket installed
• £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure

You can receive up to 30 grants each financial year for installing infrastructure in residential carparks.

Find out more about chargepoint and infrastructure grant for landlords, including car parks.

Public rapid charge points

Rapid charge points are 50kW outlets - these can charge capable vehicles up to 80 per cent in around 20 to 25 minutes. These are located in petrol stations and on key strategic routes around Northern Ireland.

Public fast charge points

Fast charge points are 22kW double-headed outlets able to charge two vehicles at the same time. They are located in shopping centres, car parks, on-street, tourist attractions and other locations where electric vehicle drivers tend to park regularly. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, they charge within one to six hours.

You can find a map of all electric vehicle public charge points across the island of Ireland.