Electric vehicle (EV) charging guide – how Pod makes it simple for your small business!

As EVs continue to surge in popularity, small businesses across the UK are exploring how EV charging can cut ongoing costs by shifting away from petrol and diesel and taking advantage of low‑cost electricity – particularly overnight off‑peak rates where businesses can reduce their cost per mile. With exemptions from clean air zone and congestion charges, businesses can further cut costs while also improving sustainability, attracting customers and supporting employees. Whether you're running a retail space, office, hospitality, agriculture or industrial site, installing EV chargers can be a powerful step towards meeting net zero goals.

Government grants can significantly reduce installation costs, making now the perfect time for small businesses to get started. This blog will break down what you need to know: charger types, why Pod stands out and what the installation process is like.

Grants available for small businesses

There are range of government grants available to reduce installation costs and make the shift to electric far more accessible. Here’s an overview of all the EV grants available for small businesses.

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is designed to help businesses reduce the cost of installing new EV charge points. It’s one of the most widely used funding routes for workplaces starting their EV journey.

Key benefits of the WCS include:

• Up to 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing a new charge point, capped at £500 per socket.
• Businesses can claim for up to 40 sockets – this could be 40 single-socket units or 20 dual-socket chargers, which are received as vouchers then redeemed by approved OZEV installers.
• Funding is available only for new installations and must be claimed before any installation work begins.
• Available until 31^st March 2027

This scheme is an ideal starting point for organisations looking to support employee charging, transition their fleet or future-proof their premises.

For small and medium-sized businesses (up to 249 employees), there is additional support available through the EV Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets. This grant focuses on helping organisations build the underlying infrastructure required to support charge points – both now and in the future.

How the infrastructure grant helps:

• Grant is capped at £15,000 per building or 75% of installation costs,
• Includes up to £500 for passive infrastructure (cabling, ducting) plus £350 for each active charge point installed.
• Charge points must be for staff or fleet use only.
• A minimum infrastructure requirement applies: companies must prepare at least five private off‑street parking spaces.
• Businesses can receive up to five grants per financial year, though only one per site.

This grant is particularly useful for organisations planning long-term EV adoption, allowing them to build scalable charging infrastructure upfront. This grant will close in 2026 and the last date to apply is 31 March 2026

Landlords of commercially let properties can also take advantage of funding to install EV charge points. The EV charge point grant for landlords can reduce installation costs by up to 75%, capped at £350 per charger. This grant will close in 2026 and the last date to apply is 31 March 2026

Eligibility highlights:

• Available for landlords with private parking for current and future tenants or fleets.
• Up to 100 grants per financial year for commercial properties.
• Applications must be made per building and residential/commercial properties cannot be mixed within the same claim.
• Landlords may submit further applications for additional installations at the same site.

This grant helps property owners enhance their commercial offering and support the increasing demand for EV charging infrastructure across business sites.

Finally, state‑funded schools, colleges, and nurseries now have access to a dedicated EV charge point grant designed to significantly reduce installation costs and support sustainability goals within the education sector.

What schools can expect:

• Funding covers up to 75% of total installation costs.
• Capped at £2,500 per charging socket, with a maximum of 40 sockets per organisation across all sites (including previous Workplace Charging Scheme applications).
• Installations must be completed within 180 days of receiving a voucher.
• Schools must use an authorised OZEV installer and install commercial-use approved chargers.
• Available until 31^st March 2027

This grant provides an excellent opportunity for educational institutions to modernise their facilities, encourage staff EV adoption, and contribute to national carbon reduction goals.

We have created a blog dedicated to all grants available to small businesses for 2026 for any other business needs you may need.

Why small businesses are adopting EV chargers

Adding EV charging to your business offers many benefits:

• Attracting customers and increasing stay time – drivers naturally prefer destinations where they can recharge.
• Supporting sustainable goals – aligns your business with net‑zero commitments.
• Improving employee benefits – charging at work boosts retention.
• Future proofing your site – EVs are on the rise and early adoption avoids future disruption.

Sector spotlight – which business sector suits each Pod workplace charger?

Different chargers will suit different types of businesses depending on:

• How long vehicles stay on site
• Number of employees/customers
• Whether charging is for staff, visitors or the public
• Number of parking spaces
• Available power supply

We have created the handy guide below to find the most suitable charger for your business:

7 kW Single Socket Charger

Average cost: £2,500 - £3,000
Best for: Low‑demand and longer‑stay charging

Ideal for:

• Small offices (5–20 employees)
  Slow and steady charging during the working day.
• Small retail units or salons
  Customers who stay 1–2 hours and need a charge top up
• B&Bs/small hotels
  Overnight charging for guests.
• Professional services (accountants, solicitors)
  Staff are parked all day – 7 kW is sufficient.
• Small workshops
  Employees on site for long shifts.

Why it fits:

Low upfront cost, perfect for businesses where EVs stay parked for long periods.

22 kW Single Socket Charger

Average cost: £3,000 - £3,400
Best for: Higher demand short to mid-stay charging

Ideal for:

• Medium‑sized offices with shared parking
  Faster availability of charging bay.
• Showrooms/Dealerships
  Vehicles need faster top‑ups.
• Small delivery depots with light fleet vehicles
  Faster charge ensures vehicles are ready more quickly.

Why it fits:

Delivers much more charge in a short timeframe compared to a 7kW charger.

7 kW Twin Socket Charger

Average cost: £6,500 - £8,000
Best for: Sites looking to service multiple bays at low to medium cost

Ideal for:

• Small businesses with 15–50 staff
  Support two staff vehicles per charger.
• Shared office buildings
  Good for communal car parks.
• Pharmacies, doctors, dentists and vets
  Regular turnover of patients and staff use for charge top ups
• Small hospitality venues
  Two guests can charge at the same time.

Why it fits:

The most cost‑effective way to double capacity for longer dwell times with just one charging unit.

22 kW Twin Socket Charger

Average cost: £7,000 - £9,000
Best for: Higher‑demand environments

Ideal for:

• Gyms / leisure centres
  Many visitors doing 1–2 hour visits.
• Larger offices (50+ staff)
  Higher demand throughout the day.
• High use of EV fleets
  Vans charged quickly between shifts.
• Hotels with high occupancy
  Multiple guests wanting to charge at once.

Why it fits:

Fastest workplace charger with dual sockets – ideal for busy sites with shorter stays.

Why choose Pod for your small business?

Pod is one of the UK’s leading EV charging providers, known for reliability, smart technology, and customer‑first service. Here’s why small businesses choose Pod:

• Proven reliability – Pod chargers are designed for high usage and long‑term durability.
• Smart load balancing – Ensures your building’s electrical capacity is never overloaded, even with multiple cars charging.
• Scalable systems – Whether you're installing 2 chargers or planning for 20, Pod supports your growth.
• UK-based support – From consultation to maintenance, Pod provides local expertise.
• Easy management – Their smart Site Management platform lets you:
  • View usage data and track CO2 avoidance
  • Set custom tariffs or free charging
  • Monitor charger health
  • Control access levels

Installation process – what to expect?

Pod makes installation straightforward. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Initial consultation

A Pod specialist assesses your needs:

• Site usage
• Power availability
• Customer/employee demand
• Your long-term EV strategy

2. Site survey

A remote or in-person survey evaluates:

• Cable routing
• Parking layout
• Electrical infrastructure
• Installation feasibility

3. Proposal & quote

Pod provides:

• Tailored charger recommendations
• Pricing, including on-going Site Management Service subscriptions
• Any upgrade or groundwork requirements

4. Installation day

Certified installers:

• Fit the chargers
• Make all electrical connections
• Configure load balancing
• Test systems for safety and performance and provide electrical certificates
• Installation usually takes a few hours per charger.

5. Activation & training

You receive:

• Onboarding call to handover your Site Management platform
• How-to guides
• Dedicated account manager for ongoing support

6. Ongoing support

Using the Pod Site Management Service gives businesses complete peace of mind by keeping their charging setup running effortlessly in the background. With built‑in maintenance support, real‑time monitoring and easy access to revenue and CO2 reports the platform puts you in complete control of your charging infrastructure, helping you stay ahead of potential issues and creating a seamless experience for both staff and customers. If you do need support from Pod, you’ll have a dedicated account manager on hand to help.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re interested in bringing EV charging to your small business, now is the perfect time to take the next step. Pod makes the process easy from start to finish – with reliable EV chargers, smart management tools and a seamless installation experience tailored to your needs. Start your journey today through Pod or through our sustainability page.