Electric vehicles are no longer a niche choice. According to SMMT data from 2026, more than 1.2 million battery electric cars are on UK roads, and that figure keeps rising as running costs and company car tax pull fleets and private buyers to plug-in models. For women running businesses with company cars, delivery vans, or customer parking, the question is no longer whether to switch, but how to charge.
The bottleneck is often the grid connection. Installing a chargepoint is relatively straightforward; getting enough power to your site can be slow and expensive. This guide explains the current EV charging grid connections UK businesses must navigate, what Ofgem’s reforms mean for business premises, and how to reduce the upfront cost of workplace chargepoints.
UK chargepoint numbers and regional coverage gaps
Zapmap data from 2026 shows there are more than 80,000 public charging devices across the UK. The government has maintained its target of 300,000 public chargepoints by 2030, though deployment varies sharply by region. London and the South East still lead, while rural and suburban areas remain underserved.
For business owners, this uneven coverage is both a risk and an opportunity. If your premises have parking, installing chargers can attract customers, support employees who cannot charge at home, and prepare your fleet for the transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
EV charging grid connections UK: what Ofgem’s reforms mean for businesses
Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, has been reforming the electricity connections process to make it faster and cheaper. Its connections action plan addresses the backlog of projects waiting to be connected to the distribution network, including EV chargepoints, renewable generation, and heat pumps.
The most important change for businesses is how grid reinforcement costs are handled. In some cases, the expense of strengthening the local network can now be recovered through ongoing network charges paid by all users of the distribution system, rather than being charged upfront to the business requesting the connection.
This matters because a single rapid charger can require a three-phase supply that the local grid cannot support without expensive upgrades. Previously, a business might have faced a five- or six-figure upfront bill just to connect. Under the reformed approach, these costs can be spread across network users, making chargepoint projects viable in more locations.
Why connection delays are still a problem
Despite the reforms, connection queues remain long. Distribution network operators (DNOs) are dealing with a surge in applications from chargepoint operators, data centres, and renewable projects. The result is that some businesses are being quoted connection dates years into the future.
If you are planning to electrify a fleet or install customer chargers, contact your DNO before you sign vehicle contracts or order equipment. Early engagement is the single most effective way to avoid surprises.
The petrol and diesel transition: what the 2035 deadline means
The UK government has pushed back the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035. The change gives businesses more breathing room, but it does not alter the underlying direction. Company car tax rates for electric vehicles remain far lower than for petrol or diesel equivalents, though rates can change at fiscal events such as the Autumn Budget 2026. Clean air zones in cities such as London, Birmingham, and Bristol already penalise older vehicles.
Women-led businesses should treat 2035 as a planning deadline, not a reason to delay. Fleet operators in particular need to map out:
- When existing vehicle leases and finance agreements end
- Whether depot, workplace, or public charging best suits each vehicle’s duty cycle
- How charging time affects driver productivity and route planning
- Whether electric vans and trucks meet payload and range requirements
Funding options for workplace EV chargepoints
The Workplace Charging Scheme has closed to new applications and been replaced by the EV chargepoint grant for businesses and other organisations, administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
The grant provides up to £14,000 per business per financial year towards the cost of installing chargepoint sockets at business premises. Eligible organisations include businesses, charities, and public sector bodies with dedicated off-street parking. The grant is claimed by an OZEV-approved installer after the work is completed, so you do not need to pay the full cost upfront and reclaim it later.
You can check eligibility and find approved installers on gov.uk. For a broader view of funding options, see our guide to business grants for women in the UK. The grant is separate from the electric vehicle chargepoint grant for flat owner-occupiers and people in rented properties, which is aimed at residential installations.
Action steps for women business owners
- Audit your vehicles. List every car, van, and delivery vehicle that could switch to electric by 2035, and note lease end dates.
- Assess your site. Check whether you have off-street parking, adequate electrical capacity, and space for chargers.
- Contact your DNO early. Grid connection queues can be long, so start the conversation before you order vehicles or chargers.
- Check grant eligibility. The EV chargepoint grant for businesses can cut installation costs by up to £14,000 per financial year.
- Get multiple quotes. Ask OZEV-approved installers for itemised quotes that separate hardware, installation, and any grid reinforcement costs.
Plan your EV charging grid connection now
EV charging grid connections UK businesses rely on are becoming more affordable, but the process is still complex. Ofgem’s reforms are reducing upfront reinforcement costs, while the EV chargepoint grant for businesses can cover a meaningful share of installation spend. For women-led businesses, the smart move is to plan now, engage your DNO early, and use available funding to build charging infrastructure before the 2035 petrol and diesel deadline tightens the market.
