Zero emission vehicle and electric vehicle charging infrastructure (ZEV and EVCI) grant: guidance

The zero emission vehicle and electric vehicle charging infrastructure (ZEV and EVCI) grant is designed to help public sector organisations overcome the upfront costs associated with transitioning to zero emission vehicles and charging infrastructure.

By supporting both vehicles and the infrastructure required to operate them, the grant enables organisations to: 

• decarbonise their fleets
• reduce fuel and maintenance costs
• demonstrate leadership in clean and sustainable transport

The ZEV and EVCI grant provides funding for:

• zero emission fleet vehicles, including vans, heavy goods vehicles, minibuses, utility and task-specific vehicles, and specialist response vehicles
• electric vehicle charging infrastructure intended primarily for fleet use
• energy storage linked to electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Funding includes:

• infrastructure funding: up to 90% of charging infrastructure and energy storage costs
• fixed payments: available for vehicles where the cost gap between zero emission vehicles and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is small
• gap funding: covers the price difference between zero emission and ICE vehicles for larger or specialist vehicles.

The ZEV and EVCI grant aims to:

• accelerate the decarbonisation of public sector vehicle fleets in Wales
• support the transition to zero emission vehicles as standard for cars and light vans from 2025
• reduce exposure to volatile fuel costs and lower whole-life running costs
• improve local air quality in the communities served by public sector organisations
• position participating organisations as leaders in clean and sustainable transport

Vehicle funding:

• The grant supports zero emission vehicles only, including battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
• Fixed grant payments are available for eligible vans
• Gap funding is available for larger, specialist, or less common vehicle types
• Costs associated with specialist vehicle adaptations may be included
• Cars, hybrid vehicles, waste collection vehicles, and contract hire vehicles are not eligible

Charging infrastructure and energy storage:

• Up to 90% of capital costs may be funded for fleet-focused charging infrastructure
• Eligible costs include charging points, grid connection upgrades, site electrical works, wider enabling infrastructure, and one year of back-office software costs
• Energy storage is eligible where it is directly linked to electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• Ongoing revenue costs and non-capital expenditure are not eligible
• Charging infrastructure funded through the grant may be made available to non-fleet vehicles when not required for fleet use

Applications are submitted during defined funding rounds and assessed competitively.

Applicants must submit separate applications for:

• zero emission vehicle (ZEV) projects
• electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) projects

Applications are assessed against published criteria, including alignment with the grant objectives, value for money, and the ability to deliver the project within the required timescales.

Successful applicants will receive a grant offer letter. Only expenditure incurred after the grant start date and in line with the signed offer letter is eligible for funding.

Submission of an application does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.

To apply for the ZEV and EVCI grant, please e-mail: transport.grant@energyservice.wales

The grant is open to a range of public sector organisations based in Wales, including:

• local authorities
• local health boards and NHS bodies
• fire and rescue services
• national park authorities
• Welsh Government sponsored bodies
• universities and further education colleges

Eligible vehicle types include vans, heavy goods vehicles, minibuses, utility and task-specific vehicles, and specialist response vehicles.

Cars, hybrid vehicles, waste vehicles and vehicles procured through contract hire arrangements are not eligible under this grant.

The Welsh Government Energy Service is available to support organisations throughout the application process.

For general enquiries about the grant, eligibility, or the application process, email: transport.grant@energyservice.wales

For technical enquiries relating to zero emission vehicles or charging infrastructure, email: transport@energyservice.wales