Can you stack grants? Combining schemes without falling foul of the rules
Different schemes cover different costs, so they often combine — but there are limits and rules. Here's how to stack them cleanly.
Last updated 15 August 2026
Because the Depot Charging Scheme funds infrastructure and vehicle grants fund the fleet, operators reasonably ask: can I use both? Usually yes — but cleanly, and within the rules.
Different costs, so they combine
The starting principle is simple: schemes that cover different costs can generally be used together. Using the depot scheme for your chargers and civils, and vehicle grants for the vans or trucks, is stacking across separate cost lines rather than double-funding the same item — which is what makes it legitimate.
The rule that matters: no double-funding
What you can’t do is claim two grants against the same cost. Each pound of expenditure can typically be supported by one source. Keep your costs clearly separated — infrastructure here, vehicles there — so it’s obvious that each grant funds distinct items. Clean records make this straightforward and audit-proof.
Watch caps and subsidy limits
Individual schemes have their own caps (the depot scheme’s £1m per organisation, for instance), and there are wider subsidy-control rules that limit total public support to one enterprise. For most operators these ceilings are comfortably above what they’ll claim, but larger or multi-site organisations should check they’re not approaching a limit.
Get it right on paper
The safest approach is to document which scheme funds which cost, keep the categories separate, and confirm current rules on the Funding tracker or with an adviser before submitting. For public bodies and large claims, this is worth a careful eye. Done properly, stacking is normal and legitimate — it’s how the full funding picture comes together. Start by sizing each with the Grant Eligibility Checker.