How much does EV charging infrastructure cost for a warehouse?

Workplace EV charger installation costs vary by charger type: 7kW AC chargers (for vans/cars) cost £800–£1,500 each installed; 22kW AC chargers cost £1,500–£2,500 each; 50kW DC rapid chargers for HGVs cost £15,000–£25,000 each. A 20-charger car park installation with smart load management typically costs £30,000–£60,000. The government's OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme provides grants of £350 per charger (up to 40 chargers).

Can warehouse solar panels power EV chargers?

Yes — pairing solar with EV charging is highly synergistic. EV charging demand peaks during the day when solar generation is highest, enabling near 100% solar-powered charging. A 250kW solar system can generate enough electricity to fully charge 60–100 electric vans per day (assuming 30–40kWh each), reducing fleet charging costs from 28p/kWh (grid) to under 3p/kWh (solar).

Do EV charger installations for warehouses need planning permission?

EV chargers in car parks and loading bays on commercial properties generally qualify as permitted development under Class L of the GPDO, meaning no planning permission is required. Solar carport canopies that exceed 2.5m in height do require planning permission, but most applications are approved given the sustainable development benefits.

EV Charging & Solar Carports for Warehouses

Fleet Types

What We Charge

Electric Vans & Cars

7kW–22kW AC charging for last-mile delivery fleets and staff vehicles

30–100 miles range/hour

Electric HGVs

50kW–350kW DC fast charging for heavy goods vehicles and articulated lorries

50–200 miles range/hour

Electric Forklifts

7kW–22kW AC charging for warehouse forklifts, replacing LPG and lead-acid

Overnight charge cycle

Refrigerated Units

Shore power for TRUs (transport refrigeration units) on parked trailers

Reduces idle engine hours

Why Solar EV

Six Business Benefits

Eliminate Fuel Costs

Solar-charged EVs cost under 3p/kWh to power. Diesel vans at 12mpg and 150p/litre cost 60p+/mile. The saving is transformative for fleet-heavy operators.

Scope 1 & 3 Emissions Reduction

Switching to solar-powered fleet charging directly reduces Scope 1 (fuel combustion) and Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions — critical for SECR reporting and net zero targets.

Government Grants Available

The OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme pays £350 per charger point up to 40 sockets. Separate infrastructure grants of up to £30,000 are available for depots with 5+ HGV chargers.

Attract & Retain Drivers

Free workplace charging is increasingly valued by employees. Offering free/subsidised EV charging improves recruitment and retention of delivery drivers transitioning to electric vehicles.

Future-Proof Your Premises

By 2035, new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned for sale in the UK. Installing EV infrastructure now secures your warehouse's operational viability for decades.

Revenue from Staff Charging

Smart charging platforms can monetise staff EV charging at commercial rates, generating £5,000–£20,000/year in ancillary revenue from the same infrastructure.

Solar Carport Sizing

Solar Carport Guide by Car Park Size

Parking Spaces	Canopy Area	Solar Output	Daily Van Charges	Indicative Cost
20 spaces	~500m²	50–80kW	15–25 vans/day	£80k–£150k
50 spaces	~1,200m²	120–180kW	35–60 vans/day	£180k–£320k
100 spaces	~2,500m²	250–350kW	70–115 vans/day	£350k–£600k
200+ spaces	~5,000m²	500–700kW	140–230 vans/day	£650k–£1.2m

Costs exclude VAT and OZEV grants. Assumes 30kWh per van charge cycle. Grid connection upgrade may be required for larger installations.

EV Charging FAQs

What is a solar carport and how does it work?

A solar carport is a canopy structure over a car park that supports solar panels on its roof while providing shade and weather protection below. The solar panels generate electricity that powers EV chargers, the warehouse itself, or both. Carports convert otherwise unused car park space into a productive energy asset without consuming any roof space.

How many EV chargers do I need for my warehouse fleet?

A rule of thumb: one 7kW charger per 3 electric vans (assuming overnight charging of 8 hours). For daytime rapid charging, one 50kW DC charger can service 4–6 vans per day. We model your exact fleet operational pattern — shift patterns, dwell times, battery sizes, and daily range requirements — to design the right charger mix.

Can I charge HGVs at my warehouse with solar?

Yes, but HGV charging requires significantly more power. A 40-tonne electric HGV typically has a 500–700kWh battery requiring a 150–350kW charger. This level of charging demand usually requires a grid connection upgrade alongside solar. We design combined solar + battery + HGV charging systems that optimise grid connection costs while maximising solar contribution.

What smart charging software do you recommend?

We integrate with leading smart charging platforms including Zaptec, ChargePoint, Pod Point, and Monta. These platforms provide load balancing (ensuring total charger demand never exceeds your grid import limit), scheduling, user authentication, cost attribution by driver/fleet, and real-time monitoring. All integrate with the solar system for solar-first charging priority.

How long does EV charging infrastructure installation take?

A 20-charger car park installation typically takes 3–5 days. Larger solar carport structures with groundworks take 4–8 weeks from planning approval to commissioning. We handle the OZEV grant application, DNO notification (G98/G99), civils design, and commissioning as a single managed project.

Related Resources

Solar EV Charging for Warehouse Fleets