With electric vehicles becoming more popular across Northern Ireland on the road to net zero, access to affordable home and workplace charging is more important than ever. The good news? There are a number of EV chargepoint grants available in 2026 that can reduce the cost of EV charger installation.
While there is a clear interest in EVs and home charging in Northern Ireland, there are common barriers that are still holding people back from going electric. In this article, we aim to break down the current EV and EV charging landscape in Northern Ireland and the barriers which can hold people back from making the switch, as well as what EV charger grants are currently available to help mitigate these barriers.
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- Why Many Homes in Northern Ireland Still Use Oil
- The Benefits of Switching from Oil to Gas
- What Is the Boiler Replacement Allowance?
- Who Is Eligible for the Grant?
- Spread the Cost with 0% Finance
- How to Apply for the Boiler Replacement Allowance
- Why you should choose Refresh NI as your installer
- People also ask...
The Current EV & Charging Landscape in Northern Ireland
Electric vehicle adoption in Northern Ireland is still at a relatively early stage but is growing steadily. Recent figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency show that around 5% of people in Northern Ireland already own an electric vehicle, while 19% of drivers say they would consider switching to an EV as their next car – 24% of whom intend to purchase an EV within the next two years, and 54% plan to do so within two to five years.
Despite the solid interest in EV adoption in Northern Ireland, there are some common barriers which appear to deter people from making the switch. According to NISRA’s study, 54% of those who responded outlined that concerns about needing to recharge were a discouraging factor, as well as concerns about the availability of charging points (44%).
The study also revealed that 46% of people would be more encouraged to adopt an EV and EV charging if there was more grant funding available. Cost and charging access remain the two biggest barriers to EV adoption. That’s exactly where EV charger grants play a crucial role.
- They reduce the upfront cost of installing a charger
- They make EV ownership more practical—especially for renters and landlords
- They support the expansion of charging infrastructure across homes and businesses
With more drivers considering the switch and infrastructure continuing to grow, these grants are helping to bridge the gap between interest and action.
What EV Chargepoint Grants Are Available in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Although Northern Ireland does not have its own standalone EV grant scheme, residents and businesses can access UK-wide support through the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). The main schemes available in 2026 are:
Residential Grants
The EV Chargepoint Grant (Flats & Rental Properties)
Out of the grants available in Northern Ireland, this one is the most applicable to domestic properties.
Grant Information
The EV Chargepoint Grant is designed to support people living in flats or rental properties who want to install a home EV charger, allowing them to receive up to £500 or 75% of the total installation cost (whichever is lower). This funding is applied directly through your installer, reducing your upfront cost.
Who is eligible?
You could be eligible for this grant if you are a flat owner/leaseholder or are renting a residential property and have dedicated off-street parking.
You must also own, lease, or have ordered an electric vehicle and have permission from your landlord (if renting).
How to apply
- Check your eligibility based on vehicle, property type and parking access
- Choose an OZEV-authorised installer such as Refresh NI
- Request a quote for your EV charger installation
- Your installer will initiate the grant application process on your behalf and will then send you a link to fill out your application
- After approval, the grant is deducted from the final invoice
Please find the full eligibility criteria from GOV.UK below:
Your property must be in Northern Ireland. You can only apply for an existing residential property that you live in, not for a property that’s unoccupied or is still being built.
You’ll need to provide supporting evidence when you apply, such as a rental agreement if you rent the property.
You must have a parking space that:
- is off-street, private and clearly defined – it does not have to be part of the property
- is accessible to you at all times
- you own or have the legal right to
You must have proof of all legal rights and permissions, such as from the freeholder of a block of flats.
This grant is only for vehicles on the list of OZEV-approved electric vehicles.
You must provide evidence that you own or use an eligible vehicle. This can be:
- as a registered owner
- if you’ve leased one for at least 6 months
- if you’ve used one as a work vehicle for at least 6 months
- if you’ve currently got one on order
If you lease your vehicle
If your vehicle lease is a bundle with a chargepoint, it must:
- say that you own the chargepoint once payment is complete
- list the cost of the chargepoint and installation, including VAT
You must also:
- make sure the chargepoint warranty meets the grant requirements
- make sure the associated vehicle lease is for at least 6 months
You must show your installer proof that you lease your electric vehicle.
You can apply for this grant if all these apply:
- you live in a flat that you own (this includes flats bought through the shared ownership scheme), or you rent a residential property
- your home has its own private off-street parking space
- you own or use an eligible vehicle
You cannot apply if:
- you live in a house that you own (unless it’s converted into flats and you live in just one of the flats)
- you rent accommodation where the landlord or homeowner lives – for example, if you’re a lodger in someone else’s home
- you’re moving house or planning on moving
- you’ve already claimed the grant (or its predecessors, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) and the Domestic Recharge Scheme)
- there must by law be a charge point or charging infrastructure – for example, because your home is a new build
Refresh NI is an OZEV-approved installer and carries a range of Grant eligible residential chargepoints. Get in touch and enquire today by filling out our General EV survey via the button below.
Landlord EV Chargepoint GranElectric vehicle chargepoint grant for residential landlords
This scheme supports landlords installing EV chargers at rental properties.
Grant Information
Residential landlords can get an EV charger grant to install a chargepoint at a residential property they own in the UK (it cannot be in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man). Eligible landlords can get 75% off the cost of buying and installing charge points, up to a maximum of £500 per socket. These grants can be attained for up to 200 sockets per year, even across several properties.
Who is eligible?
You could be eligible for this grant if you are a flat owner/leaseholder or are renting a residential property and have dedicated off-street parking. The property must be rented or intended for rental.
The grant can only be used on existing properties. It cannot be used for buildings under construction.
How to apply
- Carry out and complete necessary check, maintenance and upgrades to the property ahead of applying
- Contact an OZEV-authorised installer such as Refresh NI to get a quote for the work
- Agree with your installer what work will be carried out before you apply for a grant
- Choose a chargepoint model from the list of eligible chargepoints
- Complete the online application
- Once the OZE approves the application, they’ll let you and your installer know
- If OZEV approves the claim, they will pay the grant amount to your installer
Please find the full eligibility criteria from GOV.UK and some extra information below:
You or the organisation you represent qualify as a residential landlord if you own or manage:
- a property that is let for people to live in
- a property that has multiple units in it where people live
- the common or communal spaces of a property that has multiple units in it where people live
Before you apply, you must:
- complete any necessary upgrades to the building’s electrical supply
- arrange regular maintenance checks of the chargepoints
- decide how the electricity and running costs will be paid
- make sure the chargepoints are accessible
- update your property’s risk assessment to include the chargepoints
- be ready to act on the risk assessment and put in place and maintain appropriate fire safety measures
You can apply for multiple sockets at the same address. If you’re using more than one installer or applying for more than one address, submit a separate application for each one.
Each parking space you’re applying to install a chargepoint at must be:
- off-street, private and clearly defined – it does not have to be part of the property
- accessible to your tenant
- owned by you, or be one you have the legal right to
You must have proof of all legal rights and permissions before work begins where cables or parts are required to be placed across private or public land.
Your installer will check that the electric vehicle can charge safely in the parking space.
OZEV may audit your application before it’s approved. They may also audit your installation to check that it meets the grant requirements.
They may arrange for a site visit. If you do not allow this or do not respond to their questions, they may cancel your application.
Refresh NI is an OZEV-approved installer and carries a range of grant-eligible residential EV chargers. Get in touch and enquire today by emailing ev@refreshni.com.
Other EV Charging Grants NI
There are a number of other EV charger grants available in Northern Ireland that are less geared towards residential properties and cater more towards businesses and infrastructure. The grants and a brief summary of what they provide are listed below.
Workplace Charging Scheme – This grant provides support for organisations towards the cost of installing up to 40 electric vehicle charge point sockets at their sites. All charge points must be installed by an OZEV authorised installer. The scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (including VAT)* but does have some applicable cost caps.
Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for business staff and fleet car parks – This grant is for small and medium-sized businesses (249 employees or fewer). 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. The grant covers 75% of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of £15,000* but does have some applicable cost caps.
People also ask…
Frequently Asked Questions about the Boiler Replacement Allowance.
How much is the Boiler Replacement Allowance in Northern Ireland?
Eligible homeowners converting from oil to gas can receive £600 cashback* through the Boiler Replacement Allowance when connecting to the Phoenix Energy network. *Terms & conditions apply.
Who is eligible for the Boiler Replacement Allowance?
To qualify for the scheme, homeowners must generally:
- Own and live in the property (not tenants or landlords)
- Have a gross annual household income under £90,000 per year
- Have no heating or an existing central heating system fuelled by LPG, oil, E7 or solid fuel at the registered property.
- Never have been connected or are not in the process of being connected to the Phoenix Energy network.
- First request their connection to the Phoenix network after 6th March and before 30th June 2026.
- Use a Gas Safe-registered installer approved by Phoenix to carry out the full heating system installation. Please note: Refresh NI is a Gas Safe-registered installer approved by Phoenix Energy.
- The applicant must have received an Income Authorisation Code from Action Renewables in advance of the meter installation date.
Find the full terms and conditions here.
Is it worth converting from oil to gas in Northern Ireland?
There are many reasons to switch from oil to gas.
Many homeowners find converting from oil to gas worthwhile because gas heating provides improved efficiency, convenience, a reliable fuel supply and can reduce your carbon footprint by around 50%.
Can I get finance for an oil to gas conversion?
To make upgrading even easier, homeowners can combine the Boiler Replacement Allowance with the 0% finance until 30 June, provided full terms and conditions for each offer are met.
Refresh Property Solutions Ltd Company Reg Number NI665268. Registered Office Suite 1, Elizabeth House, 116-118 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1NY, is authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority FRN947354. We act as a credit broker not a lender and offer finance from a panel of lenders.
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