RELATED: What grants are available for public EV charging in the UK?
What Affects the Cost
The biggest factor is charger type and power output. AC fast chargers rated at 7 to 22kW cost £5,000 to £10,000 installed. These suit locations where vehicles park for 2 to 4 hours. DC rapid chargers at 50kW and above start from £15,000 per unit. They cost more because they include built in power conversion equipment and need stronger electrical infrastructure. Ultra rapid units at 150kW or above can exceed £40,000 each.
Site electrical capacity matters just as much. If your existing supply handles the load, costs stay lower. If the Distribution Network Operator needs to upgrade your connection, that alone can add £10,000 to £100,000 depending on the scope of work.
Other variables include cable run distances, groundworks, surface reinstatement, and whether the site is operational during installation. Surface car parks often require more extensive trenching and civils work, while multi storey and underground sites can use wall mounted units that reduce groundworks costs.
Commercial chargepoints must also meet electrical safety and smart charging regulations. We handle all compliance requirements as part of every project, so these do not create extra work for you.
Typical Cost Ranges by Site Size
A small installation of 5 to 10 fast chargers typically costs £25,000 to £50,000. Medium sites with 10 to 20 chargers range from £50,000 to £100,000. Large installations with 20 or more chargers, especially those mixing rapid and fast units, can exceed £100,000.
A 4 bay rapid charging hub rated at 50 to 150kW runs £40,000 to £80,000. Larger 8 bay rapid hubs with higher power outputs can reach £150,000 to £300,000.
These figures cover hardware, installation, groundworks, and electrical connections. DNO upgrades are additional where required. If your site involves new construction or major renovation, Building Regulations Part S may require additional EV charging infrastructure preparation. We can advise on what applies to your project.
RELATED: How does a fully funded EV charging model work?
Reducing Your Costs
There are no direct government grants for commercial public EV chargepoints. The Workplace Charging Scheme covers staff and fleet charging only and cannot be used for chargers accessible to the public.
Local authorities in England can access the LEVI Fund, which provides £343 million in capital funding for public chargepoint installation. If your project involves a council partnership, LEVI funding may form part of the delivery model.
For commercial sites, the most effective way to reduce costs is the EV-ME fully funded model. We fund the hardware, installation, groundworks, and grid connections. You provide the site and share the revenue. No upfront payment required.
Eligible public chargepoints also qualify for 100% business rates relief for 10 years and 100% first year capital allowances. These tax benefits significantly improve the financial return on any public charging investment.
