£350 Government Grant Cuts EV Charger Costs by 75% - How to Claim
Written & Researched by Des Dreckett
SCAM WARNING: The government’s £350 EV charging grant announcement has triggered a wave of fraud targeting UK households. Fake websites offering “express grant applications” and cold callers claiming to be from OZEV are already exploiting this £63 million infrastructure package—and it could cost you thousands if you’re not careful.
The trap is sophisticated. Scammers know legitimate grants are available, so they’re using official-sounding language and government department names to steal your money and personal details. But every single fraudulent claim can be avoided if you know the warning signs.
The £350 Government Grant: What’s Real vs. What’s Fake
The Legitimate Grant Details:
Covers up to 75% of installation costs (typically £800-£1,500), meaning you could pay just £650 for a £1,000 installation with the government covering the rest.
Part of £63 million package: Announced July 13th by the Department for Transport, including £25 million specifically for cross-pavement charging solutions.
Revolutionary impact: If you live in a terrace house or flat without a driveway (30% of UK population), you could soon charge at domestic rates—2p per mile instead of 15-20p per mile at public chargers.
Real savings: £240 for home charging vs. £1,500+ using public networks annually for 12,000 miles.
SCAM ALERT: How Fraudsters Are Exploiting This Announcement
Warning Sign #1: Fake Websites
The Scam: Professional-looking websites offering “express grant applications” or “priority processing” for fees.
The Reality: You don’t apply for the grant yourself. Your approved installer claims it on your behalf and deducts it from your bill automatically.
Protection: Only use GOV.UK for eligibility checks. Any other website asking for grant applications is fraudulent.
Warning Sign #2: Cold Callers
The Scam: Callers claiming to be from OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) offering “special deals” or “limited-time grant increases.”
The Reality: OZEV doesn’t make unsolicited calls to homeowners about grants.
Protection: Hang up immediately. Legitimate installers never cold-call about grants.
Warning Sign #3: Upfront Payment Demands
The Scam: Installers asking for full payment upfront with promises to “claim the grant back later.”
The Reality: Legitimate installers deduct the grant from your bill immediately. You should only pay the reduced amount (e.g., £650 on a £1,000 installation).
Protection: If anyone asks for full payment upfront, walk away immediately.
Warning Sign #4: Cross-Pavement Charging Scams
The Scam: Private companies offering to install “pavement charging” for a fee.
The Reality: Cross-pavement charging schemes are controlled by local councils, not private companies.
Protection: Verify any pavement charging offers through your local authority’s official website.
How to Claim the Grant Safely: Step-by-Step Protection Guide
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility (Gov.uk ONLY)
Go to: gov.uk/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-grant (official government website)
Requirements:
- Own or lease an eligible EV
- Have dedicated parking or approved on-street access
- Use an OZEV-approved installer
Red Flag: Any website other than gov.uk asking for eligibility applications is fake.
Step 2: Find Legitimate Installers
Official source: OZEV approved installer list on gov.uk
Protection checklist:
- ✅ Listed on official OZEV website
- ✅ Provides transparent pricing upfront
- ✅ Deducts grant automatically from bill
- ✅ Never pressures for immediate signing
- ✅ Provides written quotes with grant clearly shown
Red flags:
- ❌ Not on OZEV list but claims they can process grants
- ❌ Asks for payment before confirming eligibility
- ❌ Pressures you to sign immediately
- ❌ Cold calls or door-to-door sales
Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes
Minimum: Three quotes from different OZEV-approved installers
What to compare:
- Total installation cost
- Grant deduction clearly shown
- Equipment specifications
- Warranty terms
- Installation timeline
Price reality check: If installation costs £1,000, you should pay £650 with the £350 grant automatically deducted.
Step 4: Verify Cross-Pavement Schemes
For terrace houses/flats: Check your local council’s official website for cross-pavement charging plans
Key points:
- Councils control these schemes, not private companies
- Rollout varies by area—some councils already trialing, others just getting funding
- No upfront fees for residents
- Enables charging at domestic rates (2p per mile vs. 15-20p at public chargers)
The £1,500 Annual Savings Opportunity
Cross-Pavement Charging Economics:
Without driveway (current reality):
- Public charging: 53p-81p per kilowatt hour
- Annual cost for 12,000 miles: £1,500+
With cross-pavement charging:
- Domestic rates: 26p per kilowatt hour
- Annual cost for 12,000 miles: £240
- Annual saving: £1,260+
Over EV ownership (5 years): £6,300+ savings potential
Installation Cost Breakdown:
Before grant:
- Basic installation: £800-£1,500
- Your cost: Full amount
With £350 grant:
- Basic installation: £800-£1,500
- Your cost: £450-£1,150 (75% savings on first £350)
- Government covers: £350
Consumer Rights Protection
Your Legal Protections:
Consumer Rights Act protections:
- Right to transparent pricing
- Proper installation standards
- Recourse if anything goes wrong
- 14-day cooling-off period for contracts
If something goes wrong:
- Report fake installers to Action Fraud
- Report OZEV impersonation to gov.uk
- Use legitimate installer guarantee schemes
- Contact Citizens Advice for support
Red Flag Checklist:
Walk away immediately if:
- ❌ Installer not on official OZEV list
- ❌ Demands full payment before installation
- ❌ Cold calls or door-to-door sales
- ❌ Pressures for immediate signing
- ❌ Asks for bank details over phone
- ❌ Claims to be from OZEV directly
- ❌ Offers grants higher than £350
- ❌ Charges fees for “grant processing”
Landlord and Rental Property Opportunities
If You’re Renting:
Opportunity: Your landlord qualifies for the grant if they install the charger
Negotiation angle: Installation costs them only 25% of normal price (after £350 grant)
Mutual benefit:
- Landlord: Property value increase at minimal cost
- Tenant: Access to cheap home charging
Approach: Present the grant information and offer to handle installer research
Timeline and Availability
Grant Availability:
Current status: Available now through approved installers
Funding source: Part of £63 million infrastructure package
No announced deadline: But government grants can end suddenly when funding exhausted
Action timeline: Get quotes now while funding confirmed
Cross-Pavement Rollout:
Varies by council: Some already trialing, others just receiving funding
Check your area: Contact local authority about timeline
Early advantage: Being first in line when schemes launch in your area
Protection Action Plan
Immediate Actions:
- Bookmark official sites: gov.uk/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-grant and OZEV installer list
- Share this warning: Alert family and friends about grant scams
- Report suspicious activity: Forward scam emails/texts to Action Fraud
- Check local council: Verify any cross-pavement charging claims
Before Installation:
- Verify installer: Cross-reference with official OZEV list
- Get written quotes: Minimum three quotes with grant clearly shown
- Understand payment: You pay reduced amount, never full price upfront
- Check credentials: Valid insurance, certifications, and reviews
Red Flag Response:
- Cold calls: Hang up and block number
- Door-to-door: Do not engage, ask for written information only
- Pressure tactics: Walk away immediately
- Suspicious websites: Report to Action Fraud
- Payment demands: Never pay full amount upfront
The Rental Property Opportunity
For Tenants: If your landlord installs a charger with the grant, you get:
- Access to 2p per mile charging vs. 15-20p public rates
- £1,000+ annual savings potential
- Increased property desirability
For Landlords: £350 grant means:
- Only 25% of installation costs
- Property value increase
- Competitive rental advantage
- Future-proofing investment
Bottom Line: Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Savings
The £350 EV charging grant is real money that could save UK households hundreds on installation and thousands annually on charging costs. But scammers are already exploiting this announcement with sophisticated fraud targeting unsuspecting buyers.
Remember:
- Only use gov.uk for eligibility checks
- Only use OZEV-approved installers
- Never pay full amount upfront
- Report suspicious activity immediately
The opportunity is real. Cross-pavement charging could transform EV ownership for millions of UK households without driveways. But the scams are real too.
Stay vigilant. Stay protected. Claim your legitimate savings safely.
Protect Yourself from EV Grant Scams and Industry Manipulation
Government grants like this appear regularly, and scammers quickly adapt their tactics. Don’t let fraudsters steal your legitimate savings or personal information.
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Have you encountered any suspicious EV grant offers? Share your experience in the comments to warn other readers. Your vigilance helps protect the entire community.
Remember: Legitimate installers never cold-call, never demand full payment upfront, and are always listed on the official OZEV website. When in doubt, verify everything through official government channels.