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 or installing a charger at home. In this article, we aim to break down the current EV and charging landscape in Northern Ireland, as well as what EV charger grants are currently available to help people install EV chargepoints in Northern Ireland.
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 (NISRA) 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%).
How Grants Encourage EV Adoption
The NISRA study 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. This is where EV charger grants play a crucial role by:
- Reducing the upfront cost of installing a charger
- Making EV ownership more practical, especially for renters and landlords
- Supporting 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.
EV Charger Grants Available in Northern Ireland (2026)
Northern Ireland does not have its own standalone EV chargepoint grant scheme; however, 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)
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 own and live in a flat or are renting a residential property (including properties under the shared ownership scheme) and have dedicated off-street parking.
Furthermore, you must 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
- Create an account and use the application portal here to submit your details and apply
- 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
The property must have designated, private off-street parking. This may be co-located with the property or separate from it. You must be able to demonstrate that you have a legal entitlement to the parking space. 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 will need to include the following documents to support your application:
If you are renting
Signed and dated tenancy agreement
Utility bill (less than 3 months’ old) showing your name and property address where chargepoint will be installed
Written permission from your landlord/property manager to install your changepoint – must include the name of the person giving permission, and refer to you by name and to the address of the property. Applicants may be asked by OZEV to provide this at any time
A quote for installation of your chargepoint from an OZEV-authorised installer
If you own your flat
Utility bill (less than 3 months’ old) showing your name and property address
Written permission from freeholder/property manager to install your chargepoint, must include the name of the person giving permission, and refer to you by name and to the address of the property. Applicants may be asked by OZEV to provide this at any time
A quote for installation of your chargepoint from an OZEV-authorised installer
If you have a vehicle on order
Your order form
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 or explore our range of chargers by clicking the buttons below:
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking
The grant provides EV drivers with on-street parking support towards the costs of installing a cross-pavement charging solution, as well as the purchase and installation of an EV charger at their property. Eligible applicants can receive 75% off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £500.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for this grant if you own or rent a residential property that you live in, which does not have private and exclusive access to off-street parking.
You must also own, lease, or have ordered an eligible electric vehicle and have permission from your landlord (if renting).
The scheme requires you to install a permanent cross-pavement charging solution alongside the chargepoint. Due to the nature of on-street parking, you will need to have permission from your local highways authority for the installation of the cross-pavement charging solution.
How to apply
Get permissions from the landlord, freeholder, managing agent, or the owner of a private road for the installation of the charger and cross-pavement solution
- Check your eligibility based on vehicle and parking access
- Choose and contact an OZEV-authorised installer that installs cross-pavement solutions for a quote
- Obtain permission from your local highways and planning authorities to install the cross-pavement solution (and any planning permissions required)
- Begin an application form using the government portal here
- If you are eligible, the installer will claim the grant on your behalf after installation and deduct the grant amount from your total installation cost
Please find the full eligibility criteria at GOV.UK. Some additional information provided below:
Your property must be located in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland (not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man).
You will not be eligible for this grant if you have private and exclusive access to off-street parking such as a driveway, garage or residential car park.
Before you apply, please be aware that you will need certain permission to qualify for this grant.
Public authority permissions
Where cross-pavement charging solutions are permitted, you should contact your local highways and planning authorities to obtain the permissions required.
Local Highways authority permission:
You must contact your local highways authority to apply for and agree the installation of your cross-pavement solution in line with their policies. Your grant application will need to evidence your local highways authority’s consent for installation of your cross-pavement solution.
Planning permission:
You must obtain any planning permissions required by your local planning authority for your chargepoint and cross-pavement solution. You will need to declare in your application for the grant that you will do so.
Third party permissions
Outside of the permissions set out above, you must get all necessary third-party permissions, such as from a landlord, freeholder or managing agent of a flat, before you apply for the grant and install a chargepoint on the property.
The property must have access to on-street parking that is available outside or near the home, is lawful and does not disrupt or impact the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
OZEV, or a third-party organisation, may audit your application or installation, wherein they will check grant data, statements and records held by you and the installer.
There may be an on-site visit that will require access to the charge point(s) and any equipment that supports their operation. Audits may take place before or after a claim is paid.
Refresh NI is an OZEV-approved installer, but we do not currently install cross-pavement solutions.
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. Eligible homeowners can receive up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (including VAT), capped at a maximum of £500 per socket and 40 sockets across all sites per applicant. Find out more here.
Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for landlords
This landlord-centred scheme provides support for landlords to install EV chargers and receive grants of up to £500 per socket. Eligible landlords can apply for grants for up to 200 sockets across all their sites. The grant is open to eligible public sector organisations, registered providers of social housing, private landlords, or property management companies working on behalf of a landlord. Find out more here.
See a list of all the updates to the available schemes, as of April 2026, by clicking the button below:
Not Eligible for an EV Charger Grant? You Still Have Options
If you don’t qualify for one of the EV charger grants mentioned above, you don’t have to delay your EV home charge point installation. At Refresh NI, we offer affordable finance options, helping you spread the cost into manageable monthly payments. This means you can still benefit from convenient, at-home charging without the need for a large upfront investment. Our team will guide you through the best charger for your needs and tailor a finance package that works for you.
People also ask…
Frequently Asked Questions about EV charger grants in Northern Ireland.
Do I need off-street parking to get an EV charger grant?
Most EV charger grants require dedicated off-street parking however, the ‘Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking’ is specifically geared towards users who do not have private and exclusive access to off-street parking, driveways, garages or residential car parks.
What happens if I’m not eligible for a grant?
If you’re not eligible for a grant, you can still install an EV charger by spreading the cost. At Refresh NI, we offer flexible finance options, providing the option to pay monthly instead of upfront
How much does it cost to install an EV charger in Northern Ireland?
Most homeowners pay around £1,000–£1,200 for a standard installation, which usually includes the charger unit, professional installation, and certification.
At Refresh NI our lowest-priced EV charger (with standard installation) is the Ohme Epod – an untethered unit which comes with a 3-year warranty, app connectivity and locking features, all for £990*.
*price based on standard installation
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