Can a Hotel Get EV Chargers for Free? How Fully Funded Charging Works
The short answer
Sometimes, yes. Larger hotels and busy commercial sites can often have EV chargers paid for, installed, run and maintained by a charging partner, with no up-front cost. In return, the partner keeps most of the charging income and shares some of it with the site. It isn't for everyone: it works best where enough cars will plug in to make the chargers pay their way.
Smaller hotels, B&Bs and guest houses usually do better paying for the chargers themselves with help from the government grant, because they keep all of the margin.
How fully funded charging works
The idea is simple. A charging partner looks at your site and, if the numbers stack up, pays for the whole project:
- The chargers and the installation are paid for by the partner, not you.
- Running the chargers is their job: the payment app, pricing, customer support and faults.
- Maintenance and repairs are covered for the length of the agreement.
- You share in the income from every charge, usually as a percentage or a fixed amount per charger.
These agreements are long, often 10 to 15 years, because the partner needs time to earn back what it has spent. Many start with a couple of chargers and add more as guests use them.
Which sites qualify?
Every funding partner has its own rules, but they're looking for the same thing: a site where chargers will be used often enough to pay back the investment. In our experience the strongest fits have:
- Around 15 or more parking spaces, so giving a few bays to charging doesn't squeeze guests out.
- More bedrooms. A 50-bedroom hotel puts far more cars in the car park overnight than a 10-room guest house.
- A restaurant, bar or event space, which brings in day visitors who also charge.
- A big enough electricity supply. Funding partners usually avoid sites that need an expensive grid upgrade before chargers can go in.
- Year-round trade, not just a few busy summer weeks.
Pubs with rooms, restaurants, golf clubs, holiday parks and larger visitor attractions can qualify too, if the car park is busy enough.
Funded charging or the grant: which is better?
The government's Workplace Charging Scheme pays up to 75% of the cost, capped at £500 per socket, for up to 40 sockets. Small accommodation businesses, including hotels and B&Bs, qualify, and their guests can use the chargers. The scheme closes on 31 March 2027.
| Funded charging | Grant and self-funded | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Nothing | The cost after the grant |
| Who runs the chargers | The charging partner | You (or a back office like Tap Electric) |
| Maintenance | Included | Your responsibility after the warranty |
| Charging income | Shared, with most going to the partner | All yours, after electricity costs |
| Who sets the price | Usually the partner | You |
| Best for | Larger hotels and busy commercial car parks | Smaller hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets |
If you have the cash and a modest number of spaces, the grant route usually earns you more over time. If you'd rather not spend anything up front, don't want to manage chargers, or have a big car park that could take many sockets, funded charging is worth a look.
Questions to ask before you sign
Funded agreements are long, so read the detail:
- How long is the agreement, and what happens at the end? Do the chargers stay, get removed, or pass to you?
- What share of the income do you get, and how is it reported?
- Who sets the price guests pay, and can it change?
- Are the bays reserved for EVs? And who enforces that?
- What if you sell the hotel? Check whether the agreement passes to the buyer.
- Who fixes a broken charger, and how quickly?
Frequently asked questions
Is funded EV charging really free? There's no up-front cost to the site. The partner earns its money back from the charging income over the length of the agreement, so you share the income rather than keeping all of it.
Can a small B&B get funded charging? Usually not, because there aren't enough cars to pay back the investment. The Workplace Charging Scheme is normally the better route for smaller places.
Can I use the OZEV grant and funded charging together? Generally the funding partner pays for the project itself, so you wouldn't apply for the grant as well. We'll talk you through which route suits your site.
Does it only work in Cornwall and Devon? No. We're based in Cornwall and know the South West best, but funded charging can work wherever a site has the right car park and supply. Get in touch and we'll tell you honestly.
Run a hotel or a busy commercial site? Manta Power checks whether your site could qualify for fully funded EV charging and, if it does, gives you a warm introduction to a funding partner. If it doesn't, we'll show you the grant route instead. Take the 2-minute funded charging check or call 07441 353701.
