THE DCS WINDOW IS OPEN!
Maximum saving per eligible business on charging infrastructure
Of installation costs covered under the scheme upto £1m
Jobs in UK logistics this scheme is designed to support
The Scheme Explained
What Is The Depot Charging Scheme?
Announced on 25 March 2026, the Depot Charging Scheme (DCS) is a government-backed grant programme designed to remove one of the two biggest barriers to commercial fleet electrification: access to reliable, on-site charging infrastructure.
Whether you operate a van fleet, run coaches, or manage heavy goods vehicles, the DCS will contribute up to 70% of the cost of installing charging infrastructure at your depot — capped at £1 million per eligible applicant.
The scheme sits within a £1 billion government investment that simultaneously tackles upfront vehicle purchase costs. But the charging infrastructure element is the foundation: without depot charging capability, grant-funded electric vehicles have nowhere to charge at scale.
The BVRLA has already noted the scheme’s critical role, particularly for SMEs in the vehicle rental sector who face some of the hardest paths to electrification. Competition for funds will be significant.
- Up to £1,000,000 Maximum grant per eligible business for depot charging installation
- Up to 70% Coverage Of total qualifying installation costs — vans, coaches, and eHGVs
- Vans, Coaches, eHGVs Charging infrastructure for all qualifying commercial vehicle categories
- Businesses & Public Bodies Both commercial operators and public authorities are eligible to apply
- UK-Wide Administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV)
Why Timing Matters
The Grant Window Won't Wait
Now - Pre-Launch Preparation
Launch Day - Application Window Opens
Post Award - Installation & Commissioning
The GridUnlock Difference
Technical Readiness Is Your Competitive Edge
GridUnlock conducts a full depot survey — grid connection capacity, DNO constraints, load management requirements — before you submit a single form. Grant bodies want to see that you've done the work
We produce a ready-to-submit charging infrastructure specification aligned to DCS eligibility criteria, avoiding the most common reason applications stall: underspecified or non-compliant scopes.
Engaging GridUnlock before the grant launches is itself a signal of organisational readiness. Decision-makers and grant bodies respond positively to businesses that have already invested in preparation — not just interest.
We don't disappear after submission. GridUnlock manages procurement, contractor oversight, DNO liaison, and commissioning — so your depot charging infrastructure is operational as fast as physically possible.
Our technical designs incorporate dynamic load management from the outset — reducing peak demand charges and future-proofing your infrastructure as your fleet grows.
Act Before the Grant. Not After.
This is not about jumping the gun — it's about understanding that preparation is the differentiator when hundreds of operators are competing for the same fixed pot of funding.
Mar 2026 - DCS Confirmed with £170m funding
Now - REGISTER WITH GRIDUNLOCK - GET SCOPED BEFORE LAUNCH
TBC - DCS application portal opens
TBC - Early applicants approved
Later - Fund approaches capacity - late applicants face delays
Register Now
Don't Wait For The Queue
This costs you nothing at the enquiry stage. But the lead time it gives you — in site assessment, grid capacity review, and specification development — could be the difference between grant approval and joining a waiting list.
Talk to Grid Today about scalable, modular energy systems designed for the demands of heavy transport.