Uncertainty has emerged over the return date for the UK Government’s Depot Charging Scheme, after grant applications failed to reopen last week as expected.
The scheme had been expected to reopen for applications last Wednesday, October 28, however that date came and went without applications reopening, with the link to the application page on the Government’s website returning ‘page not found’.
When asked by Fleet News when the scheme would in fact be reopening for applications, a Department for Transport spokesperson said that an update would be shared “in due course”.
A £170 million funding programme for the scheme was launched in March, with the Government saying it would run until 2030.
Some £66m was made available to bid for in two application windows this year, with the initial window for a share of £28m (to be spent in 2026/27) having closed in June. It is the second window, for the £38m due to be spent in 2027/28, that was expected to open last week, for projects starting from April 2027 and to be delivered by March 31, 2028.
Grant rates for the latest phase of the scheme were yet to be confirmed, but the level of funding was due to be reduced over the lifetime of the programme as charging infrastructure becomes more affordable.
Further information:
https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/uncertainty-over-depot-charging-scheme-reopening-date