Why the electric car grant is a significant opportunity for installers

Lee Sutton, co-founder and chief innovation officer at myenergi, explores the Government’s recently announced £650m Electric Car Grant (ECG) and outlines the resulting opportunities for electrical installers. 

In July, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced a new grant for electric vehicles (EVs), offering up to £3,750 off the outright purchase price of a new model. With funding confirmed until the end of September 2029, the ECG will apply to a wide range of electric cars priced up to £37,000. 

A direct response to the ZEV Mandate consultation, which brought together leading industry voices to identify the biggest hurdles impacting EV adoption, the grant aims to improve the affordability of plug-in vehicles by bringing outright purchase prices more closely in-line with petrol and diesel cars. 

Alongside the ECG, further funding has also been announced to improve national EV charging infrastructure. Alongside a £63m package to install 100,000 more public chargers in strategic locations, this includes a £25m fund to improve the at-home car charging experience for those without a driveway. While details are yet to be confirmed, this is likely to see cables run under pavements in domestic areas to enable widespread street charging connectivity.

The opportunity for installers

The ECG provides installers with a significant opportunity. With the UK’s EV transition already driving high demand for home charging solutions, the grant will further accelerate this momentum.

Rather than just a short-term trend, millions of EVs hitting the roads over the next decade mean that almost every home in the UK will need access to the latest charging capability. It’s therefore a workstream that’s here to stay, meaning investing in staff training, knowledge and capability will pay dividends in the future. 

With that in mind, installers should act fast to prepare themselves for an uplift in enquiries. Alongside having the technical capability to install and commission smart chargers, an in-depth knowledge of the latest and best models – as well as commercial relationships with these brands – is key to providing customers with the best solutions. 

At myenergi, we’re known for designing some of the market’s most advanced smart chargers, including the latest addition to our range – zappi GLO. 

Featuring eco-smart functionality, including out-of-the-box energy tariff integration and solar compatibility as standard, the screenless, buttonless, single-phase device offers complete charging control. Users have the option to simply plug-and-go, or explore toggle options to adjust settings, set timers, monitor performance and optimise device performance in real-time for greener, cheaper, smarter charging. 

GLO has been expertly engineered for rapid installation and simple commissioning. Thanks to myenergi’s Installer Assistant App, installers benefit from a step-by-step solution to optimise fitting speed and guarantee replicability, which streamlines workflow efficiencies and maximises operational productivity. 

With the patented myenergi harvi wireless sensor, installers can fit zappi GLO without a wired CT clamp. This eliminates the need for batteries or external power supplies, further simplifying the installation and reducing clutter. 

Unique in the marketplace, zappi GLO is part of myenergi’s home energy management system (HEMS) – an integrated network of eco-smart solutions that collectively offer total control over home energy use, alongside the flexibility to switch to the best smart tariff. Comprising the libbi home battery, eddi power diverter and zappi EV changer suite, HEMS provides installers with an immediate upsell opportunity, enabling customers to access fully-connected, future-proof smart energy solutions.

Looking to the future

As the UK market for EVs and EV chargers continues to grow, installers have a significant opportunity to keep motorists moving. With a small investment in time and training, you can play a driving role in the zero-emission transition.

For long-term success, partnering with a respected hardware provider is the critical first step. With myenergi, we offer the added benefit of full access to our Installer Centre, which features numerous tools including automatic lead generation. Simply apply for the Product Champion Scheme to be put on the ‘Find an Installer’ map and receive customer enquiries directly to your inbox.

For more information about myenergi, or to enquire about becoming a registered myenergi installer, visit www.myenergi.com