OZEV Approved Installer: OZEV Registration, Required Qualifications and EV Chargepoint Grant Eligibility

Summary

OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) manages the UK government's EV charging infrastructure grant schemes. To be eligible for grants such as the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant (for homes and flats) and the Workplace Charging Scheme, the chargepoint must be installed by an OZEV-registered installer.

Registration is not just an administrative formality — it is designed to ensure that EV chargepoint installations are carried out by competent electricians who understand the specific requirements of EV charging: earthing systems, PME network protections, smart charging software, and compliance with BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2 (which includes the significant EV-specific amendments from Chapter 72).

For electricians looking to get into EV charging installation, OZEV registration is the essential first step. The good news is that for a qualified electrician who is already Part P registered, the additional requirements are achievable within days.

Key Facts

• OZEV — Office for Zero Emission Vehicles; part of DESNZ/DVSA; manages EV grants
• OZEV installer portal — registration and management at ozev.gov.uk installer section
• Part P registration — NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or equivalent is required for grant-eligible installations
• 18th Edition — BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 required; Amendment 2 (2022) adds Chapter 722 (EV charging specific requirements)
• EV installer training — OZEV requires completion of an approved training course; several providers offer 1-day courses
• Approved course providers — NAPIT, NICEIC, Electrical Training Alliance (ETA), IMI, and others are OZEV-approved training providers
• Grant clawback — if a grant installation is found not to comply, OZEV can claw back the grant from the installer
• Annual renewal — OZEV registration requires annual renewal; keep training and Part P registration current
• Approved chargepoint products — grant installations must use OZEV-approved chargepoint products; list maintained on OZEV website
• Smart charging requirement — from late 2021, all domestic chargepoints must be "smart" (connectable to internet for demand management) per the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021
• Data submission — OZEV-registered installers submit installation data via the portal to trigger grant payment

Quick Reference Table: OZEV Registration Requirements

Detailed Guidance

What OZEV Registration Involves

Step 1: Ensure you are Part P registered Part P of the Building Regulations requires that electrical work in dwellings is either notified to building control or is carried out by a self-certification scheme member. NICEIC, NAPIT, and ELECSA are the main Part P approved schemes. If you are not yet on a Part P scheme, joining one is the first step.

Step 2: Hold a valid 18th Edition qualification BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition) is required. Critically, Amendment 2 (2022) includes Chapter 722 — Supplies for electric vehicles. This chapter covers: dedicated circuits for EV chargepoints, PME earthing provisions and protections, socket outlet and connector requirements, and smart charging. Your knowledge must reflect A2 content.

Step 3: Complete an OZEV-approved EV training course Available from multiple providers. A typical 1-day course covers:

• EV charging modes (Mode 1–4)
• Chapter 722 requirements in detail
• PME earthing and protective conductor current
• PEN fault protection (TT earthing or PEN fault detection)
• Smart charging and demand management
• Grant scheme processes and documentation
• Practical installation demonstration

Step 4: Register on the OZEV installer portal Submit: proof of qualifications, Part P scheme membership certificate, evidence of EV training course completion, and insurance details.

Step 5: Maintain registration Renew annually; keep training up to date as BS 7671 is amended; maintain Part P scheme membership.

Chapter 722 — EV Charging Under BS 7671:2018+A2:2022

Amendment 2 to the 18th Edition (December 2022) significantly updated requirements for EV charging installations. Key Chapter 722 requirements:

• Dedicated circuit — EV chargepoint must be on a dedicated final circuit (not shared with other loads), typically 32A (7.4kW single phase)
• Consumer unit protection — RCD Type B or equivalent protection required for Mode 3 EV charging circuits (the chargepoint itself may provide this)
• PME earthing — where a premises has PME (Protective Multiple Earthing) earthing, specific protection against PEN conductor faults is required; see pme earthing ev charging
• Protective conductor current — EV chargepoints can introduce high-frequency protective conductor currents; Type B RCDs (or equivalent) handle these better than Type A
• Labelling — EV charging circuit must be labelled at the consumer unit
• Documentation — all EV charging installations require an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) to BS 7671

Smart Charging Requirements

The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1467) require all EV chargepoints (≤50kW AC) sold or installed in the UK from 30 June 2022 to meet smart charging requirements:

• Must be capable of receiving and responding to signals to modify charging schedule
• Must be able to communicate usage data
• Chargepoints must default to off-peak charging
• Random delay feature required to prevent simultaneous start at any time
• Must have cyber security features (ETSI EN 303 645)

For OZEV grant installations, using an approved chargepoint model (from the OZEV approved product list) ensures these requirements are met.

Grant Processing by OZEV-Registered Installers

For the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant:

1. Customer applies to OZEV (via the grant portal) before installation — they receive a grant voucher
2. Installer completes the installation with an OZEV-approved product
3. Installer submits the installation details to the OZEV portal including customer details, chargepoint serial number, and evidence photos
4. OZEV processes the claim and pays the grant value to the installer (who has reduced the invoice to the customer accordingly)

The grant value is currently £350 (as of early 2026; check current amounts). It applies to single-family homes and flats in certain circumstances.

Consequences of Non-Compliant Installations

OZEV takes compliance seriously and conducts audits:

• Grant clawback — if an installation is found non-compliant, OZEV can demand repayment of the grant
• Removal from approved list — repeat failures result in removal from the OZEV installer register
• Part P implications — non-compliant electrical work is a Part P breach; the Part P scheme may investigate
• Civil liability — if non-compliant EV wiring causes a fire or injury, the installer bears significant civil liability

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install EV chargepoints without OZEV registration?

Yes. OZEV registration is only required to offer installations under the grant schemes. A qualified electrician (Part P registered) can install EV chargepoints commercially without OZEV registration, provided the installation meets BS 7671 Chapter 722 requirements. Customers who want to access the grant must use an OZEV-registered installer.

Is the OZEV training course the same as the BS 7671 18th Edition course?

No. The OZEV-approved EV training is specific to EV charging installation — it covers Chapter 722, PME earthing, smart charging, grant processes, and installation practice. It does not cover the full content of BS 7671. You need both: a valid 18th Edition qualification as your baseline, plus the OZEV EV training on top.

Does OZEV registration cover commercial chargepoints?

The Workplace Charging Scheme (another OZEV scheme) uses separate registration but the same baseline requirements. Commercial installations (above 50kW, three-phase, public chargepoints) may have additional requirements beyond domestic OZEV registration. Check the specific grant scheme requirements.

How often do OZEV-registered installers need to renew their training?

OZEV requires annual renewal of registration. If BS 7671 is amended with EV-specific changes (which is likely), refresher training may be required. Check the OZEV installer portal for current requirements.

Regulations & Standards

• Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/1467) — smart charging requirements for all chargepoints

• BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, including Chapter 722 (EV charging)

• Building Regulations Part P — electrical safety in dwellings; self-certification requirements

• OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant Scheme — grant eligibility and approved installer requirements

• ETSI EN 303 645 — cyber security standard for consumer IoT; applies to smart chargepoints

• OZEV Installer Registration Portal — official registration guidance

• IET BS 7671:2018+A2 Chapter 722 — EV charging wiring regulations

• Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 — smart charging statutory requirements

• bs 7671 ev wiring requirements — Chapter 722 technical requirements in detail

• pme earthing ev charging — PME earthing and PEN fault protection for EV installations

• ev chargepoint grant scheme — grant eligibility, amounts, and application process

• smart charging requirements — smart charging legislation and technical requirements