Can you share the cost of EV chargers and earn a larger share?

Part funded EV charging means you contribute capital and negotiate a larger income share than a fully funded offer. Compare your annual net receipts with your contribution, then test low use and exit costs. Eligible workplace installations can receive up to £500 per socket through WCS [S1]; that does not establish whether a particular shared investment qualifies. Checked October 2026.

Last checked 16 October 2026

How does part funded EV charging for businesses work?

You share the installation investment with a provider. In exchange, you negotiate the income split and any ownership or buy-out rights. Begin with the site’s purpose: charging customers, supporting staff or serving your fleet. A charger that solves a real parking or vehicle need deserves a different assessment from a speculative public charging investment.

Ask for comparable fully funded, part funded and self funded proposals for the same equipment and layout. Otherwise a higher share may simply reflect a smaller installation or more bills left with you. Our funded versus buying guide explains that comparison.

Treat these as descriptions of the proposals you want, rather than evidence that every site will receive offers. Ask whether the contribution buys equipment, connection works or simply a contractual entitlement to payments. Do not assume those have the same resale value.

How do different revenue shares affect your return?

First define the pot being shared. A percentage of driver sales differs from a percentage after energy and service deductions. Ask for an example settlement showing metered energy, discounts, refunds, deductions and your payment. Read the revenue-share guide alongside the proposed contract.

The following is an illustration, not a quote. Every commercial input is an assumption, not a market average. kW means kilowatts, a measure of power; kWh means kilowatt-hours, a measure of energy.

Annual delivered energy = sessions × 20 × 365: 7,300 / 14,600 / 29,200 kWh. Sales = energy × £0.50. Operating net = energy × (£0.50 − £0.25) − £600. This produces £1,225 / £3,050 / £6,700 before sharing. No additional host bills are assumed for funded models.

Fully funded income = sales × 5%; part funded income = operating net × 60%. Simple return on investment (ROI) = annual host net ÷ host capital × 100. Simple payback = host capital ÷ annual host net. Ranges use both capital endpoints. There is no host capital payback for fully funded in this example.

The model excludes tax, financing, grants, rates, insurance, parking displacement, host labour and replacements. It holds usage and prices constant and does not represent lifetime profit. Add your actual costs before relying on the result; check with your accountant.

How do you prove that it can at least break even?

Ask for demand evidence beyond passing traffic: existing enquiries, staff charging needs, dwell time and nearby charging availability. Separate paid charging sessions from visitors who would come anyway. Keep extra shop spend out of the model until you can measure its additional contribution after costs.

In the example, operating break-even energy is £600 ÷ £0.25 = 2,400 kWh a year. That covers the assumed recurring bill, without recovering capital. The ROI and payback guide explains why operating break-even and investment payback answer different questions.

Test closures, lower use and an energy-price increase. Ask whether your share can become negative, whether losses carry forward and whether the provider can recover its capital before distributing anything to you.

Are there EV charging grants for businesses?

WCS supports eligible workplace projects; it is not general funding for a public customer car park [S1]. Ask the scheme administrator and installer whether your proposed ownership and use meet its conditions before deducting support. HMRC describes a 100% first-year allowance for qualifying new chargepoint expenditure [S3]. That is a tax deduction, not reimbursement. Check with your accountant which party incurs qualifying expenditure.

What should your site and agreement provide?

Request a supply assessment involving your distribution network operator (DNO), the local electricity network company. Include parking circulation, accessible routes, cable positions and a planning review in the survey brief. Allocate grid overruns, damaged surfacing, faults and future equipment replacement in writing.

Public charging can fall within the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 [S2]. Ask who is the operator and which duties and exemptions apply. Funding alone does not settle that question. Have your solicitor review liability, insurance, business rates allocation, exclusivity, lease length, early exit and reinstatement costs.

Next step

Bring your proposed contribution, electricity bill and parking plan to get matched with an installer that covers your area. Piggy Pineapple Ltd operates this referral service. We refer enquiries to installer partners and may be paid a fee. Our owner holds shares in at least one partner. Before passing on your details, we name the proposed partner and disclose whether our owner holds shares in it. See how we work.