The Depot Charging Scheme (DCS) is the UK government’s main grant for charging infrastructure at commercial fleet depots. Announced on 25 March 2026 as part of a £1 billion package for zero emission vans and trucks, it is a £170 million multi-year programme running to 2030, administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
It part-funds the chargepoints and civil works needed to charge battery-electric vans, HGVs and coaches at the depot — the foundation that grant-funded vehicles need to operate at scale.
How the scheme works
Funding is released in application windows, with applications assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. Each organisation can make one application per window, but that application can cover multiple depots.
| Window | Dates | Funding | Grant rate | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window 1 (closed) | 25 March – 30 June 2026 | £28m | 70% of eligible costs, up to £1m per organisation | Complete by 31 March 2027 |
| Window 2 | 28 October 2026 – 29 January 2027 | £38m | To be confirmed — OZEV has signalled rates will reduce over the programme | Projects from April 2027, complete by 31 March 2028 |
Further windows are expected through to 2030. Windows can close early if funding runs out.
Who can apply
Based on the published criteria, applicants must:
- Be a commercial fleet operator registered and operating in the UK for at least one year
- Own or lease one or more UK depots (with landlord consent to install chargepoints where needed)
- Have — or be acquiring — at least one battery-electric van, HGV or coach
- Have senior leadership sign-off for the project
- Ensure commercial vehicles are the primary users of the funded chargepoints
What it pays for
The scheme funds chargepoint hardware and the civil and electrical works to install and energise it. Spend only counts once the Grant Funding Agreement is in place, so work already started is not eligible.
Vehicles are covered by separate grants. Grid connection upgrades have not been funded under the scheme — which matters, because for many depots the connection, not the chargers, is the real constraint.
Where projects stall
Most applications that run into trouble do so for technical reasons, not paperwork:
- Grid capacity. You need enough capacity to deliver the project within the window. If the depot needs a new or upgraded DNO connection, the timescales can outlast the grant.
- Under-specified scopes. Charger numbers, power levels and costs need to match the fleet’s real duty cycles, and the costs must stand up to scrutiny.
- Timing. Funding is first come, first served, and delivery deadlines are fixed.
How GridUnlock helps
GridUnlock’s DC architecture is designed for exactly the depots where grid capacity is the blocker. Battery storage on a shared DC bus lets you charge at full power from a smaller connection, so a project can fit within the capacity you already have — and the grant can fund chargepoints rather than waiting on reinforcement.
We support operators from the start:
- A technical site assessment and grid capacity review before you apply
- A costed, fleet-matched charging specification aligned to the scheme’s criteria
- Design, installation, commissioning and DNO liaison after award
- Smart energy management from day one, through Vespr
Before you apply
Dates, grant rates and windows change. For the latest position on the Depot Charging Scheme and other fleet funding, see the funding tracker on depotcharging.co.uk — an independent resource — or run its grant eligibility checker.
This article is a summary for guidance only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Last reviewed 11 November 2026.