Workplace Charging Scheme for Education: £2,000 Per Socket Guide (2026)

Last updated: June 2026. Grant rates reflect OZEV guidance current as of 1 April 2026.

The Workplace Charging Scheme for Education is an enhanced rate of the OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) for state-funded education institutions. From 1 April 2026, eligible schools, colleges, and universities can claim up to £2,000 per socket to buy and install EV charge points, four times the standard business rate, with a maximum of 40 sockets per institution (£80,000 total). See our EV Charger Grants for Education hub for the full education sector overview.

Ready to apply? Contact our education team for a free site assessment.

Why the Education Rate Is So Significant

The standard WCS rate for businesses is £500 per socket. The education rate of £2,000 per socket is specifically designed to accelerate EV charge point deployment in the education sector, where procurement budgets are often constrained. At £2,000 per socket with up to 40 sockets claimable, the maximum grant available under the WCS Education scheme is £80,000 per institution.

Who Is Eligible for the WCS Education Grant?

Eligible institution types

• Local authority-maintained primary and secondary schools

• Academies and free schools (including studio schools and university technical colleges)

• Further education colleges

• Sixth form colleges

• Special educational needs (SEN) schools and pupil referral units

• Universities and higher education institutions (for staff and visitor charging)

Who is not eligible at the enhanced rate?

Independent (fee-paying) schools are not eligible for the £2,000 education rate. They can apply for the standard WCS at £500 per socket. Private tutoring centres and training providers that are not publicly funded are also ineligible for the enhanced rate.

Key eligibility conditions

The institution must be state-funded.

Charge points must be for staff and visitor use, not open to the general public.

Installation must be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer.

A valid WCS Education voucher must be issued before installation begins.

The governing body or trust must authorise the application.

Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) Applications

Multi-academy trusts present a specific opportunity under the WCS Education grant. The 40-socket maximum applies per legal entity, typically per academy rather than per trust. A MAT with ten academies could potentially access up to 400 sockets of WCS Education funding (400 x £2,000 = £800,000) if each academy applies separately. Contact our education team to discuss a coordinated MAT programme.

How to Apply

Contact our education team to arrange a free site survey. We assess your car park layout, electrical supply, and the number of sockets needed.

Confirm that your institution's governing body or trust has authority to apply and authorise works on the premises.

Your installer submits the WCS Education voucher application to OZEV.

OZEV approves the voucher (typically 2 to 4 weeks). The voucher is valid for 180 days from approval.

Installation proceeds. The grant is deducted from your invoice.