What is the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme?

Good news just keeps on coming for EV drivers! From lower tax rates to cheaper fuelling, the benefits of electric driving are stacking higher and higher, but the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme is a huge update that you should certainly look out for – you might even see it right outside your house. While home charging is the perfect solution for many to gain a convenient and cheap source of power for their electric vehicles, not everybody has this luxury. Luckily, the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme is a solution for local authorities to solve this problem. Find out everything you need to know about the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme below so you can take advantage of a rapidly evolving EV landscape!

How Does the Scheme Work?

Despite the development of this scheme, there has existed a great deal of support for EV drivers who struggle to have home charging or access off-street parking. This includes grants to cover installation costs, tariff reductions and money-saving memberships on EV charging networks. However, there still exists a need for conveniently located charging stations across suburban areas. To answer this need, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) improved local charging infrastructure through the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme. 

The scheme essentially provides funding for local authorities to install charging stations and networks across their respective regions, from streets to council-owned car parks. These can also be installed on streetlamps, pull-over bays, and ground-retractable pillar units, so keep an eye out for new developments in your region. This scheme will allow residents to safely and conveniently access a wide range of EV chargers just beyond their homes. Moreover, this scheme will further entice more car owners to switch to electric vehicles in preparation for the ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The type of charging station(s) will change by region since each local authority will decide based on its budget, the region's resources, and the population demand. However, the majority will be around 3kW – roughly the same as a home charger which can accommodate overnight charging. Depending on the region, faster chargers, such as 5kW or 7kW, may also be common, allowing quicker charge times for residents on the way to work. 

Recent Changes to the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme

Here, we will take you through the changes to the scheme in 2023/24, and just below you can find the 2022/23 and 2021/22 amendments if you’re interested in the scheme’s timeline.

1. The maximum covered cost by the government of a project is now 50%, reduced from 60%
2. The maximum grant size of the scheme is £200,000, capped at £7,500 per ChargePoint.
3. The scheme’s funding can now cover the cost of charging infrastructure for car clubs.
4. New ChargePoints at and over 8kW require contactless payment capability

The 2022/23 financial year amendments to the scheme include a £30 million funding injection, a 60% funding coverage (as opposed to the current 50%), and the option to allow ChargePoints to be installed on land not owned by local authorities (although its suitability must be thoroughly assessed).

The 2021/22 financial year amendments to the scheme include an increase to the maximum fund per ChargePoint up to £13,000 (although this has now been removed), a change that all projects (rather than those over a specific cost) can apply for the scheme, an extended deadline of project completion, and finally an update to the maximum stay times of ChargePoint zones.

Paying for the On-Street ChargePoints

Just like the type of chargers available, the cost of chargers is also dependent on the factors previously outlined. Some on-street charge points follow the subscriber-based system, where those with a membership to a specific network gain access to that network without the worry of paying per charge. The specific charges of on-street chargers will vary the same way most public chargers do, and if you’re interested in the costs of these then make sure to check out our article on EV running costs here.

Other on-street providers, such as Connected Kerb, allow for Zap-pay which is a convenient way to pay for EV charging via the ZapMap app. Smart charging cables are also becoming more common by calculating and displaying charging costs and information on the cable itself, replacing the need for a mobile app. RFID cards are still a strong method of paying for an on-street charge, which is linked to an individual’s account and is charged accordingly through the ‘tap-and-go’ nature of the card.

Who can apply for the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme?

While it’s not possible for individuals to apply for the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme, you can contact your local authority and request for them to apply to the scheme. If a project expands over multiple regions and authorities, the dominant/lead authority must apply. Whether you are a group or authority, to be eligible for the scheme you must ensure that:

1. You’re a relevant local authority or body of authorities within the UK.
2. You have the explicit support of your respective highway authority or landowner as to where the charge points will be located.
3. You have informed the government of any other third-party EV infrastructure funding.
4. No changes are made to the agreed project without the government’s permission.
5. The project can be completed within a predefined time limit.

The application form must be first emailed to onstreetchargepoints@est.org.uk with the details of the project including resources required, locations, budget, accessibility measures, photo evidence, timelines and so forth. The application criteria are as follows:

• ChargePoints cannot be over 22kW.
• ChargePoints must be in residential areas that lack off-street parking and must meet current or future demands.
• The proposed location must be accessible to residents and available for use 24/7
• ChargePoints must adhere to predesigned technical specifications.
• ChargePoints must include the aforementioned payment methods.
• The project must be completed within a reasonable timeframe and meet ongoing commitments.
• For ChargePoints to be incorporated in car parks, you must either own the car park or lease it on a long-term agreement. You must also explain why ChargePoints cannot be installed on-street.

Get Ready for the EV Future

EV charging infrastructure is expanding our daily lives at a surprising pace. Support seems to be prevalent too, where many ChargePoint operators are seeking to invest capital into projects such as these to accelerate the growth of the EV world around us. All that is left is to fill the charging stations with EVs, and that means more EV drivers. As the benefits of driving an EV become hard to ignore, more and more people are making the easy switch. Here at Eden, we have a wide range of electric vehicles that can make the very most of the On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme and more, and you can explore our EV range today. Need to talk through your options? Contact our experts today or head into our dealerships and speak with our team – they’ll be more than happy to help.