Businesses operating commercial vehicle fleets are being encouraged to review their charging infrastructure plans ahead of the next expected opening of the UK Government's Depot Charging Scheme on October 28, 2026.
The scheme is designed to help operators of electric vans, heavy goods vehicles and coaches meet the costs of installing charging infrastructure at fleet depots.
The Government has allocated £38million to the next funding round for 2027/28, with applications expected to remain open until January 29, 2027. The funding rates and detailed conditions for this round have yet to be confirmed.
The previous application round provided support covering up to 70% of eligible chargepoint and civil works costs, subject to a maximum of £1million per organisation.
Aberdeenshire-based ORKA Solutions, which provides commercial EV charging, solar PV, and battery storage solutions, believes the forthcoming funding window is a timely reminder that successful fleet electrification requires planning that goes beyond the charging equipment itself.
For businesses considering a transition to electric vehicles, site infrastructure can be just as important as vehicle selection.
Existing electrical capacity, potential groundworks, vehicle operating schedules and future fleet requirements can all influence the design, cost and delivery timescale of a charging project.
Duncan Booth, Managing Director of ORKA Solutions, said: "Funding can make a real difference to the cost of installing charging infrastructure, but businesses need to look at the wider project before making decisions.
It's not simply about how many chargers are needed today. It's about understanding how the vehicles operate, what the existing site can support and what might be required as the fleet changes.
Taking the time to consider those things early can help businesses make better use of available funding and avoid unnecessary complications further down the line."
The forthcoming application window is expected to support eligible projects beginning from April 2027, with works to be completed by March 31, 2028.
ORKA Solutions encourages businesses considering depot charging to review their infrastructure requirements ahead of the funding window and check the full eligibility criteria when the Government publishes the next round's conditions.
Further information on the Depot Charging Scheme is available through the UK Government's Find a Grant service. https://orka-solutions.co.uk/news-insights/depot-charging-scheme-2026-fleet-operators