Fleets should prepare now for the next £170m depot charging funding window

October 15, 2026

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Fleet operators planning electric vans, trucks or coaches should start preparing now for the next Government Depot Charging Scheme application window.

The next round is expected to open on 28 October 2026 and close on 29 January 2027, supporting projects beginning from April 2027 and completed by March 2028.

The scheme forms part of a £170m multi-year programme designed to help operators install charging infrastructure for zero-emission commercial vehicles.

The first funding window covered 70% of eligible chargepoint and civil-engineering costs, up to £1m per organisation, although the Government has not yet confirmed the grant rate or final conditions for the next round.

Fleet managers should therefore avoid waiting until applications open before starting work.

Sites need to be assessed for power availability, vehicle dwell times, charging demand and future fleet growth. Grid connection requirements and civil works can also determine whether a project is genuinely deliverable.

The most useful approach is to build the infrastructure strategy around operational need first, then use available funding to improve the business case.

That also reduces the risk of installing chargers simply because grant money is available.