Businesses operating commercial vehicle fleets have an opportunity to secure funding for their charging infrastructure through the Depot Charging Scheme 2026 until June 30th. With the first application window now open and funding being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, organisations considering electric vans, HGVs or coaches should act quickly. The available funding can make a huge difference to project costs, helping businesses accelerate their decarbonisation journey while reducing the financial barriers associated with fleet electrification.
As a business, we work closely with companies across the UK to help them navigate the constantly evolving energy landscape. From commercial solar installations and battery storage systems through to EV charging infrastructure, we support organisations in developing full energy strategies that deliver long-term value, and this funding is a great option for those eligible.
What is the Depot Charging Scheme 2026?
The Depot Charging Scheme 2026 has been introduced to support the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles by providing financial assistance towards the installation of charging infrastructure at fleet depots. Following the success of the pilot programme during 2025/26, the Government has committed to a substantial multi-year funding programme worth £170 million, running from April 2026 through to 2030. The initiative is designed to help fleet operators overcome one of the biggest challenges associated with electrification: establishing reliable charging infrastructure capable of supporting day-to-day operations.
How much funding is available?
The first application window opened on 25th March 2026 and will remain open until 30th June 2026, unless funding is exhausted beforehand. A total of £28 million has been allocated for projects delivered during the 2026/27 financial year so far. Remember, applications are being assessed on a first-come, first-served basis; organisations that delay may miss the opportunity to secure support during this funding period.
During this initial funding round:
- Up to 70% of eligible charge point and civil engineering costs can be funded.
- Businesses can receive up to £1 million in grant funding across all depot locations.
- There is no limit to the number of depot sites included within an application.
- Only one application is permitted per organisation.
Why the Depot Charging Scheme is a game-changer
For many fleet operators, the move towards electric vehicles is no longer a question of if, but when. Government policy, sustainability targets, customer expectations and rising pressure to reduce carbon emissions are all driving the transition towards cleaner transport solutions. However, charging infrastructure can represent a significant upfront investment, particularly for businesses operating large vehicle fleets. The Depot Charging Scheme aims to bridge that gap by helping organisations install the infrastructure needed to support:
- Battery-electric vans
- Battery-electric HGVs
- Battery-electric coaches
Who is eligible for the Depot Charging Scheme 2026?
To qualify for funding, organisations must meet the following requirements:
- Be registered and operating within the UK.
- Have been operating their organisation and fleet for at least one year.
- Own or lease one or more depot locations within the UK.
- Currently operate, or plan to operate, at least one battery-electric van, HGV or coach.
- Demonstrate how electrification will impact their charging requirements.
- Obtain approval from a senior leader within the organisation.
- Agree to ongoing monitoring, reporting and potential site audits.
- Confirm they are not receiving duplicate Government funding for the same project.
- Ensure the primary users of the funded infrastructure are commercial vehicles.
- Complete all funded works by 31st March 2027.
For organisations sharing charging infrastructure with other fleet operators, any charging costs must be based on cost recovery for a minimum of three years following the grant award.
Key dates you need to know
Businesses considering an application should be aware of the following deadlines:
Application Window:
- Opens: 25th March 2026
- Closes: 30th June 2026 (or earlier if funding is exhausted, so it is essential to act today)
Funding Decisions
- Award decisions expected by 30th September 2026
Project Completion Deadline
- All funded works must be completed by 31st March 2027
A second application window is scheduled to open on 28th October 2026, covering projects planned for delivery during 2027/28. Funding rates for that round are yet to be confirmed and are expected to reduce over time as charging infrastructure becomes more affordable – we will share more details when this becomes available.
How Harvest Green Developments can help
Securing funding is only one part of a successful fleet electrification strategy. Businesses also need confidence that their charging infrastructure has been designed correctly, installed safely and future-proofed for growth. Trust us, we understand that every fleet operation is different. Vehicle numbers, charging patterns, grid capacity, operational schedules and energy usage all need to be carefully considered when designing a charging solution.
Our team works with organisations to:
- Assess depot charging requirements.
- Evaluate electrical infrastructure capacity.
- Design scalable charging solutions.
- Integrate charging infrastructure with commercial solar and battery storage systems.
- Support long-term energy cost reduction strategies.
- Future-proof sites for fleet expansion.
Many businesses are also exploring how solar generation and battery storage can work alongside EV charging infrastructure to reduce operational costs and improve energy resilience. By taking a 360 approach, organisations can maximise the return on their investment while reducing reliance on grid electricity during peak periods.
Why act now
One of the most important aspects of the Depot Charging Scheme 2026 is that applications are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Although the application window officially remains open until 30th June, funding may be fully allocated before that date. For businesses already considering adopting electric vehicles, this funding will reduce infrastructure costs and help prepare for the future of commercial transport. With up to one million pounds available per organisation and 70% of eligible installation costs covered, the scheme could substantially improve the viability of projects for qualifying operators.
Ready to explore your depot charging options?
The transition to zero-emission transport is accelerating, and infrastructure planning is becoming increasingly important for fleet operators across the UK. That is why we help businesses navigate complex energy projects with confidence. Whether you are exploring EV charging infrastructure, commercial solar panels, battery storage or a complete energy strategy, our team can help you identify the right solution for your operational needs.
With funding available now through the Depot Charging Scheme 2026, there has never been a better time to begin planning your depot charging infrastructure. If your organisation is considering fleet electrification, speak to our team today to discuss how we can help you maximise the available funding and develop a charging solution built for the future.
