The £350 OZEV grant for landlords, renters, and flat owners ends on March 31st, 2026. You’ve probably seen the deadline plastered everywhere. But here’s the thing nobody’s telling you: if you’re planning to book your EV charger installation on March 30th and expecting to claim the grant, you’re going to be disappointed.
The actual cut-off date you need to worry about? March 1st, 2026.
Let me explain why the ev charger installation timeline is tighter than you think: and why waiting until the last minute could cost you £350.
The Grant Ends March 31st… But Your Installation Needs to Be Completed by Then
First, let’s be crystal clear about what the deadline actually means. The OZEV grant doesn’t just require you to book your installation by March 31st. It requires your charger to be fully installed, commissioned, and signed off by that date.
That’s a huge difference.
Think about it like this: if you book a holiday for July but don’t actually fly until August, you haven’t gone on a July holiday. Same principle applies here. The installation has to be done and dusted before the grant scheme closes its doors.
Why the EV Charger Installation Timeline is Longer Than You Think
So why can’t you just ring us up on March 29th and get it sorted? Because there are several steps involved in getting an EV charger installed: and some of them are completely outside our control.
1. DNO Applications Can Take 2–4 Weeks (Sometimes Longer)
Before we can install certain chargers, we often need to notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO): the company that owns the electricity cables in your area. In some cases, we need their approval before we can even start work.
This is especially true if:
- You’re installing a 7kW or 22kW charger
- Your property has limited electrical capacity
- You live in a flat or apartment block
DNO applications typically take 2–4 weeks to process, though we’ve seen delays stretch to 6 weeks during busy periods. And guess what? Everyone rushing to beat the March 31st deadline is going to hit the DNOs at exactly the same time.
2. Site Surveys and Technical Assessments
Not every property is a straightforward installation. We need to come out and assess:
- Your electrical consumer unit (fuse box)
- Cable routing options
- Earthing arrangements
- Parking layout and charger positioning
For most homes in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and the West Midlands, we can turn a site survey around in 2–3 days. But if we need to order specific parts or recommend electrical upgrades, that adds time to your ev charger installation timeline.
3. Scheduling the Installation Itself
Once the DNO approves and we’ve surveyed your property, we can usually install your charger in as little as 24 hours. We pride ourselves on being fast: seriously, we’ve written a whole guide on how we do same-day installs when everything lines up.
But here’s the reality check: in late March, everyone’s calendar is going to be rammed. Installers across the West Midlands will be booked solid. Even if you’re lucky enough to get a slot, you’re cutting it dangerously close.
The March 1st Rule: Why We Recommend Booking a Month Early
Let’s do the maths:
- DNO approval: 2–4 weeks
- Site survey: 2–3 days
- Parts ordering (if needed): 3–7 days
- Installation day: 1 day
That’s a minimum of 3 weeks under ideal conditions. And we all know things don’t always go to plan. A snowstorm in early March. A DNO officer on holiday. A delayed part delivery.
To give yourself a proper safety buffer and guarantee your installation is completed (and grant claimed) by March 31st, you need to have your booking confirmed by March 1st at the absolute latest.
What Happens If You Miss the Grant Deadline?
Let’s say you book on March 15th and your DNO application gets delayed. Your installation doesn’t happen until April 3rd. What then?
You’re on the hook for the full cost of the charger installation: no £350 grant to soften the blow. For most landlords or flat owners, that’s the difference between paying £200–£300 out of pocket versus £550–£650.
Plus, you’ll kick yourself knowing you could’ve avoided it by booking two weeks earlier.
We’re Fast-Tracking Installs for the Deadline (But We Can’t Work Miracles)
Here at EV Power Point Ltd, we’re doing everything we can to help customers in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and the wider West Midlands beat the March 31st deadline. That includes:
- Prioritising DNO applications for grant-eligible customers
- Booking site surveys within 48 hours of enquiry
- Offering extended working hours in March to fit more installations in
- Pre-ordering popular chargers (like the Ohme Home Pro and Zappi) to avoid stock issues
But even with all that, we can’t make the DNO move faster. We can’t magic up an extra week if you book on March 20th.
Who’s Eligible for the OZEV Grant (and Why Time’s Running Out)
Just a quick reminder of who can claim the £350 grant per socket:
- Landlords installing chargers for tenants
- Flat owners in apartment buildings
- Renters (with landlord permission)
If that’s you, this is your last chance. The government has made it clear: the grant scheme is ending on March 31st, 2026, and there’s no extension coming.
Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
What to Do Right Now
If you’re serious about claiming the £350 grant, here’s your action plan:
- Contact us today: don’t wait until next week, next month, or “when you’ve thought about it more.”
- Get your site survey booked: we’ll assess your property and confirm exactly what’s needed.
- Let us handle the DNO application: we submit these on your behalf and chase them up so you don’t have to.
- Lock in your installation date: once the DNO approves, we’ll get you in the diary.
The ev charger installation timeline is tight, but it’s still doable if you act now.
Why Choose a Local Installer in the West Midlands?
When you’re up against a deadline like this, going local makes all the difference. We’re based right here in the West Midlands, covering Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Solihull, Birmingham, Worcester, Redditch, Bromsgrove, and everywhere in between.
That means:
- We know the local DNOs and how they operate
- We can get to your property for a site survey within days (not weeks)
- We’re accountable: you’re not dealing with a faceless national call centre
- We care about getting your grant claim sorted because we’re part of your community
Find out more about why local installers beat the big chains.
Final Word: Don’t Gamble with £350
Look, I get it. March 31st feels like ages away. But when you factor in DNO delays, site surveys, and the sheer volume of last-minute bookings, the ev charger installation timeline is tighter than you think.
Book by March 1st. Give yourself the buffer. Don’t be the person who misses out on £350 because they waited an extra week.
We’re here to help: but we can’t bend time. Get in touch today, and let’s get your charger installed before the clock runs out.
