For electric vehicles, charging at home usually occurs off-street in garages and driveways. However, in many parts of the UK off-street parking is unavailable to many residents. By installing chargepoints on-street or in public car parks, residents without off-street parking will have access to chargepoints close to home.
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) are now accepting applications to the on-street residential chargepoint scheme (ORCS) for this financial year (FY 23-24). This remains open to all relevant local authorities within the UK. OZEV has published details for local authorities about how the amended ORCS 2023/24 scheme will work.
ORCS will remain open to applications until 1 March 2024, or until all 2023 to 2024 funding has been allocated, whichever is sooner. Applications must be submitted to onstreetchargepoints@est.org.uk by 1 March 2024 to be considered for funding.
In addition to the continuation of ORCS, local authorities should also be aware of the local electric vehicle infrastructure (LEVI) fund, which aims to further improve the rollout and commercialisation of local charging infrastructure projects that use a combination of public and private sector investment.