Grants and Funding

£1bn UK Funding Boost: Opportunities for Bus and Coach Operators Transitioning to Electric Fleets

26th March 2026

What do bus and coach operators need to know about the £1billion funding boost for the EV market and depot charging?

Funding Overview

The Zero Emissions Truck and Van grants and the Depot Charging Scheme aim to help businesses make the switch to electric vans and trucks.

This announcement by the UK Government includes a £170 million boost to the Depot Charging Scheme, supporting installation of charging infrastructure for vans, coaches, and heavy goods vehicles. This directly supports fleet electrification, reducing capital barriers for zero-emission fleets.

On top of that, businesses and public authorities could save up to £1 million, covering up to 70% of the cost, when installing charging infrastructure for vans, coaches, and eHGVs, thanks to a £170 million boost to the government’s Depot Charging Scheme.

Global fuel price uncertainty is challenging for businesses, and these grants will help the industry switch to electric, reducing exposure to fuel price volatility.

Electric Cityline (low-floor) minibus

Composite mobility (accessible) minibus

All-new EVM electric minibus

Funding Objectives

The Government is supporting the road freight and coach industry in decarbonising their fleets and operations. By kickstarting the installation of charging infrastructure at depots and providing funding where costs are commercially unviable, it aims to accelerate the rollout of zero-emission commercial vehicles.

The Depot Charging Scheme will operate alongside existing incentives for zero-emission vans and HGVs. By part-funding both vehicles and infrastructure, the Government seeks to help operators install reliable depot-based charging solutions for any battery-electric vehicles they purchase.

Eligibility and how to apply

Applicants must be UK-registered operators with at least 1 year of UK fleet operations.
Their fleet must include, or plan to include, at least one battery-electric van, HGV, or coach, with charging needs clearly outlined.
Applicants must own or lease one or more UK depot sites, where the funded infrastructure will be installed.
Funding must be used solely within the UK and for depot-based charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles.
Installation of the charging infrastructure must be completed by 31 March 2027.
Applicants must agree to monitoring, avoid overlapping government funding, and ensure any shared infrastructure operates on a cost-recovery basis for at least three years.

The first application window runs from 25 March 2026 to 30 June 2026 (or earlier if funding is exhausted), and will fund 70% of chargepoint and civil costs, up to £1 million across all sites.

The increased grant rates are expected to remain in place until the end of fiscal year 2026/27. The new funding comes after the Government announced an £18m uplift in January to save up to £120,000 off the cost of electric trucks.

Eligible applicants are invited to submit an application by selecting ‘Start new application’ on the Find a Grant platform.

What EV infrastructure funding is available in Ireland?

The Transport Infrastructure Ireland has contributed to Ireland’s EV recharging network through the rollout of the LDV En-Route Grant Scheme.. On its website, the organisation outlines a commitment to enhancing EV recharging infrastructure, supporting comprehensive national coverage, and encouraging widespread EV adoption. The successful applicants for the 2025 funding phase can be found here: LDV Grant Scheme – Phase 3

Ireland has also committed to transitioning to a low-carbon economy by 2050. As part of this effort, a funding scheme has recently been launched to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission minibuses. Full details are available here: Zero-Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle Purchase Grant Scheme