With electric car ownership continuing to rise and government plans in place to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, EV charge points and workplace charging are becoming an important part of how Scottish businesses support their staff, reduce emissions, and meet sustainability goals. For businesses in Glasgow and across Scotland, offering EV charging at work can help attract and retain employees, cut company fleet costs, and demonstrate a commitment to greener practices.
The Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan encourages businesses to take action towards net zero emissions. Transport is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in Scotland, and switching to electric vehicles is seen as a key part of the solution. By providing EV charge points at the workplace, employers can support staff who have already made the switch, or encourage those thinking about it.
Why Workplace Charging Matters for Scottish Businesses
For many employees, being able to charge an electric vehicle at work removes one of the key barriers to EV ownership. Not all drivers have off-street parking at home where they can install a personal charger. This is especially true in urban areas like Glasgow, where many homes are flats or tenements. Workplace charging helps fill this gap by offering a reliable place to top up during the working day.
There are also tax benefits for employees who use company provided EV charging. Under HMRC guidelines, free electricity provided at work to charge a personal EV is not classed as a taxable benefit. This makes workplace charging an attractive perk that employers can offer at no extra cost to staff.
For companies with vehicle fleets, installing charge points on site also helps lower fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions. Electric vans and company cars are cheaper to run per mile compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. The switch to EVs supports compliance with the Low Emission Zones now in place in cities like Glasgow, where older vehicles are restricted from entering certain areas.
Choosing the Right EV Charge Points for Your Business
There are several manufacturers offering commercial EV charge point solutions, and choosing the right system depends on your business size, the number of vehicles, and how often the chargers will be used. Some of the key brands available in the UK market include:
EV Chargepoint Brands in Scotland
Rolec EV
Rolec is one of the UK’s leading providers of EV charging solutions, offering a wide range of options for workplaces. Their WallPod and Quantum ranges provide single and dual charge points, with both tethered and untethered options. Rolec’s charge points are known for being cost-effective and straightforward to install, making them popular for small to medium-sized businesses.
EO Charging
EO Charging specialises in modular systems that allow businesses to scale up their EV charging infrastructure as demand grows. The EO Genius and EO Hub combination gives businesses full control over their charge points, including energy monitoring and smart scheduling. This is useful for companies that want to manage multiple chargers across one or more sites.
Andersen EV
While Andersen is often associated with high-end residential chargers, their commercial units offer sleek design and robust performance. Andersen chargers can be integrated with solar PV systems, allowing businesses to use renewable energy generated on-site to power their EV fleet.
Myenergi (Zappi)
Myenergi’s Zappi charger is well known for its eco-smart features, including the ability to prioritise charging from solar panels or wind turbines if these are available on-site. For Scottish businesses already investing in solar PV installations, combining renewable energy with EV charging adds to the environmental benefits.
Tesla Wall Connector
For businesses with Tesla company vehicles, the Tesla Wall Connector provides high-speed charging compatible with the Tesla fleet. Although primarily designed for Tesla models, the Wall Connector can also charge other EVs with a Type 2 connection, making it flexible for mixed fleets.
Smart Charging and Load Management with EV Charge Points
When installing multiple EV charge points at a workplace, smart charging features and load management become important considerations. Without proper control, several vehicles charging at once can place a significant demand on your site’s electricity supply. Many modern systems offer dynamic load balancing, where the available power is shared intelligently between chargers based on demand and priority. For example, the EO Hub system mentioned earlier allows businesses to stagger charging schedules and prevent grid overload. Rolec also offers their SmartCharge range with similar features. Choosing a system with good software support helps businesses avoid expensive electrical upgrades while still offering charging access to staff.
Some systems also allow businesses to set different pricing rates for staff, visitors, or fleet vehicles. This gives flexibility in how the service is offered and helps to recover installation costs over time if desired.
Funding and Support for Workplace Charging in Scotland
The UK Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides financial support towards the cost of installing EV charge points. The scheme offers up to 75% of the cost of purchase and installation, up to a maximum of £350 per socket for up to 40 sockets across all sites per applicant.
In Scotland, additional funding may be available through Energy Saving Trust Scotland, which administers grant schemes and interest-free loans for businesses making the switch to EVs and renewable energy.
Businesses located within the Glasgow Low Emission Zone may also find that installing EV charging helps them avoid future penalties or restrictions as these zones tighten over time.
Commercial Case Study Examples
Many types of businesses across Scotland are now investing in workplace charging. Office-based employers in Glasgow city centre are installing small numbers of charge points in staff car parks, helping support employees who have made the switch to electric cars. Meanwhile, larger commercial sites such as warehouses and distribution centres are fitting multiple chargers for electric vans and company vehicles.
Retail parks and hospitality businesses are also adopting EV charge points, not only for their own fleets but to offer a service to customers. For example, hotel chains are now adding charge points to their car parks to meet the growing expectation from guests who travel by EV.
By choosing the right combination of chargers, smart features, and funding support, Scottish businesses of all sizes can introduce EV charging without major disruption.
