How to make the most of government EV charger grants

There’s never been more money on the table for public EV charging. The UK government has pledged £450 million through the LEVI fund, and additional pots like the ULEV Transformation Fund in Wales and City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) are also available to support infrastructure rollouts in specific regions.

It’s vital that you don’t let these EV charger grants go to waste. With so much funding up for grabs, the challenge isn’t in accessing the money – it’s about spending it in the right way. The key is to put real-world community needs first, and build an accessible charging network that works for everyone. Here’s how to make the most out of EV charger funding…

Understanding EV charger grants in the UK
The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund is the UK government’s primary funding stream to support the expansion of public electric vehicle (EV) charging. Support for the installation of on-street residential charging was previously provided by ORCS, but this has now closed to new applicants, and has largely been replaced by LEVI.

LEVI was designed to help local authorities deliver local charging solutions at scale. It is especially beneficial in areas with limited off-street parking, as it helps residents conveniently access reliable public charging points for EVs.

Together with additional regional grant funds such as the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) Transformation Fund in Wales and the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS), these schemes present a valuable opportunity to accelerate EV use across the country.

EV grant pitfalls and how to avoid them
Government grants for EV infrastructure could help to propel real change in sustainable transport, but only if it’s spent wisely. Too often, this funding is thrown into short-term initiatives that tick boxes but fail to deliver any tangible impact. 

EV grant ‘success’ is often measured by quantity i.e. the number of charge points installed by local authorities. But volume doesn’t equal value. If chargers are placed in the wrong locations and receive low usage, they quickly become dead assets. EV charging stations are expensive to maintain, so if they fail to meet real-world needs, they could risk undermining public trust in national electric vehicle infrastructure.

Delivering the right EV solutions in the right places
At Trojan Energy, we believe that thoughtful infrastructure beats tick-box  infrastructure, and ‘success’ should mean tailoring solutions to the real-world needs of every community. Urban, suburban, and rural areas all come with their own infrastructure, space, and user behaviour challenges, so a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work!

Our solution is specifically designed for residential areas with lots of on-street parking and no driveways. Other bulky charging units can cause street clutter and accessibility issues in these spaces, but our innovative ‘flat and flush’ charge points sit level with the pavement, so there’s no clutter or trip hazards to avoid. It’s a clever and inclusive solution that perfectly meets the needs of each environment.

Data-led planning and community consultations are essential when taking up EV grants in the UK. Our 6-step process walks local authorities through every stage – from site selection and planning permission through to installation, community engagement, and long-term maintenance. This results in a public charging network that is resilient, responsive, and fully scalable.

Helping local authorities get EV charging right
At Trojan Energy, we’re proud to support local authorities in making EV charging equitable and efficient. By putting grant funding to its best use, we’re helping local authorities install accessible, future-proofed charge points that fulfil the real-world needs of communities across the UK. 

We can install up to 10 charge points along a street without altering its look and feel. And because our solutions are designed for scalability, we can install a full hub and activate the sockets that meet today’s demand. As EV uptake increases, we simply switch on more sockets; so there’s no need to dig up the street again.

It’s a smarter, more efficient way to build EV infrastructure – one that respects your budget and puts the needs of your community first.

Trojan Energy’s vision for smarter EV infrastructure
The urgency around EV infrastructure is real, but quick fixes just won’t cut it. Getting EV charging right the first time means thinking not just about what communities need now, but what they’ll need next. 

When local authorities use EV charging grants with full consideration for residents’ needs, they can deliver infrastructure that adds real value to communities. The transition to electric vehicles must be inclusive, with public charging that serves every community – not just the easy ones! 

Our design ethos is rooted in shared, affordable access, which is helping to level the playing field. Since most EV charging happens overnight, not at service stations but at or near home, local infrastructure must mirror that experience and provide reliable on-street charging for those who really need it. 

So, are you ready to build a future-ready EV charging network for your community? Get in touch today and discover how we can support your journey to street-smart charging.