The LEVI Fund Explained: Local EV Infrastructure Funding 2026

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

The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund is the UK government's major capital programme for expanding public EV charging networks across England. Administered by OZEV and delivered through the LEVI Support Body (hosted by Innovate UK), the LEVI capital fund provides local authorities with the capital and technical support needed to plan, procure, and deliver public EV charging infrastructure at scale. Visit our EV Charger Grants for the Public Sector hub for the full overview of public sector funding options.

Unlike the Workplace Charging Scheme or the EV Chargepoint Grant, which fund private installations, the LEVI Fund is specifically designed to build the public charging network. If you are a local authority exploring LEVI funding, or a charge point operator looking to partner with councils, contact our public sector team.

LEVI Fund at a Glance

What it is	A major government capital fund enabling local authorities in England to procure and install public EV charging infrastructure.
Who it is for	Local authorities in England, including district, borough, county, unitary, combined, and transport authorities.
Funding available	Multi-year capital funding allocated based on local need, strategic plans, and OZEV/Innovate UK assessment. Allocations vary by authority.
Programme status	Active. Applications and allocations ongoing through the LEVI Support Body (Innovate UK).
Key outputs	On-street residential charge points, destination charging hubs, public car park charging, and EV-ready infrastructure.

What Is the LEVI Fund Used For?

The LEVI Fund addresses gaps in the public EV charging network that the commercial market alone will not fill, particularly in rural areas, lower-income communities, and residential streets where drivers have no private charging option.

On-street residential charging

A core use of LEVI funding is installing charge points along residential streets for people who rely on street parking and have no access to private off-street parking. This overlaps with the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS). In some areas, LEVI funding supplements or replaces ORCS to deliver a larger programme of on-street charge points.

Destination charging hubs

LEVI funds can support the development of public charging hubs at leisure centres, libraries, town centre car parks, and other destinations. These hubs typically feature a mix of 7kW to 22kW AC charge points and DC rapid chargers.

Transport interchange charging

Rail station car parks, bus interchanges, and park-and-ride sites are priority locations for LEVI-funded installations. These sites serve commuters who drive to public transport and have long dwell times, ideal for AC charge points.

Rural and underserved areas

LEVI weighting actively prioritises areas with low existing charge point density and limited commercial investment appetite. Rural local authorities and coastal communities are explicitly included in LEVI's target geographies.

Who Can Apply for LEVI Funding?

The LEVI Fund is available to local authorities in England, including:

District, borough, and city councils
Unitary authorities
County councils
Combined authorities and mayoral combined authorities
Transport for London and other transport authorities

The LEVI Support Body (hosted by Innovate UK) provides dedicated advisory support at every stage, from early strategic planning through to procurement and delivery.

How the LEVI Fund Works in Practice

LEVI funding is delivered through a structured process:

Strategic planning

Local authorities first develop a Local EV Infrastructure Strategy, an evidence-based assessment of charging need across their area. The LEVI Support Body assists with demand modelling, site identification, and strategy development.

Funding allocation

OZEV allocates LEVI capital funding to local authorities based on their strategies and local need assessments. Allocations are multi-year, giving councils the certainty to plan and procure properly.

Procurement and delivery

Local authorities procure charge point operators through a compliant procurement process. Blink Charging is available to councils through compliant procurement routes and delivers end-to-end LEVI programmes. Contact our public sector team to discuss your LEVI programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the LEVI Fund available in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

In its current form, the LEVI Fund is primarily an England programme administered by OZEV and Innovate UK. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved transport powers and their own EV charging funding programmes.

Can charge point operators apply for LEVI funding directly?

No. Only local authorities can access LEVI capital funding. Charge point operators such as Blink Charging participate as delivery partners, procured by the local authority.

How does LEVI relate to ORCS?

The On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS) is a specific grant for on-street residential charge points. LEVI is a broader capital programme that can fund a wider range of public charging infrastructure, including on-street residential charging. The two programmes can complement each other within a local authority's wider EV charging strategy.

What is the LEVI Support Body?

The LEVI Support Body is a team hosted by Innovate UK that provides technical, commercial, and strategic support to local authorities accessing LEVI funding. LEVI funding supports councils without in-house EV charging expertise, helping them access LEVI capital effectively.