Charging as a perk: How on-site EV infrastructure boosts employee engagement

More than 17 million EVs were sold globally in 2024, pushing electric cars to over 20% of total car sales for the first time ever. And the pace is picking up. Early figures from 2025 show a 35% year-on-year increase in the first few months alone.

The above graph shows global EV sales growth between 2014 and 2024. Source: International Energy Agency, 2025

But as more people plug in, there’s a growing challenge. How do we make sure that charging is convenient and accessible, especially during the working day? Many drivers can’t rely on home charging alone, whether they live in flats without private parking or just want to make their daily commute easier.

In this article, we’ll explore the rising role of on-site EV charging as a workplace perk: why it matters, how to do it well, and how you can tap into government support and salary sacrifice schemes to keep your people happy, productive, and powered up.

EV salary sacrifice schemes are a powerful tool for boosting employee engagement. That’s because they’re a tax-efficient way for employees to drive a brand-new electric car, without the big upfront cost.

Employees lease an EV using a portion of their gross salary – before tax and National Insurance are deducted. That means they save up to 40% on the cost of a new EV, while businesses save on NI contributions. And because it’s all wrapped up in a fully managed, low-hassle package (insurance, servicing, MOT and breakdown cover included), it makes life easy for you, your finance and HR teams, and your employees.

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But what really supercharges this scheme is workplace charging. When you combine salary sacrifice with on-site EV chargers, you take an already compelling perk and make it seamless.

The most obvious reason for this is convenience. Imagine your team arriving at work, plugging in their car, and getting on with their day without a second thought. No detours to crowded public chargers or panicking about running low on battery before heading home. This simple convenience can save time and energy, helping employees focus better and enjoy a smoother work-life balance.

And there’s more. Providing EV charging on-site sends a clear message about your company’s values. It aligns beautifully with corporate social responsibility (CSR), showing your commitment to reducing environmental impact. Most employees (70%) now expect their employers, or potential employers, to be proactively working towards clear environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. When staff know their employer shares their values, motivation and loyalty naturally follow.

And in today’s competitive job market, perks matter more than ever. Offering modern benefits like EV charging isn’t just about being green; it’s about attracting and retaining top talent – particularly Gen Z workers – who expect forward-thinking, sustainable workplaces.

Rolling out workplace EV charging is a brilliant move, but to really make it work for your business and your people, it helps to follow a few best-practice steps.

1. Assess employee demand – Start by understanding what your team actually needs. Anonymous surveys or informal feedback sessions can reveal how many people already drive EVs, who’s considering switching, and when and how they’d use charging points. This helps you plan smarter, so you’re not underestimating demand or over-investing in infrastructure that no one uses.
2. Read up on government support – The UK government’s Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) offers businesses up to £350 per socket, for up to 40 charge points. That’s potentially £14,000 towards your setup. It significantly lowers the barrier to entry, especially for smaller companies. And since funding schemes change over time, it’s worth keeping tabs on new grants that might emerge as EV adoption grows.
3. Choose the right equipment and location – Think ahead when selecting chargers. Fast chargers might suit most employees who leave their cars all day, while rapid chargers could be ideal for shift workers or field teams. Install them in accessible, well-lit areas that are easy to signpost and safe to reach.
4. Make it accessible – Nothing spoils a good perk like frustration over access. Set clear policies around who can charge, when, and for how long. Booking systems or basic rota tools can prevent charger hogging and help things run smoothly. Regular maintenance is a must-have too; no one wants to arrive and find a broken charger on a rainy Monday morning.
5. Engage your team from the start – Launching EV charging is a brilliant opportunity to show you’re listening to your people and investing in what matters. Make a splash with internal comms, posters in the car park, or a how-to guide for first-time EV drivers. And don’t forget to share progress: highlight how much CO₂ you’ve saved as a team, or celebrate the 100th employee to charge up. It keeps the momentum going and makes everyone feel involved.
6. Get expert help – Once you've got a sense of your team's needs and the available support, it's time to bring in the experts. We work with commercial charging specialists Plug Me In to make the whole process as straightforward as possible. From site surveys to installation and maintenance, they’ll handle everything with minimal disruption. You can register your interest here.
7. Unlock big savings - All set up? The next step is making sure your energy tariff works just as hard as your infrastructure. That’s where Octopus Energy’s smart business tariffs come in. Shape Shifters: Trio gives you three simple set unit rates across the day, so you can charge when electricity is cheapest. And Shape Shifters: Agile tracks half-hourly wholesale prices, letting you tap into ultra-low rates and make the most of smart charging.

Offering workplace EV charging is a practical, forward-thinking perk that supports your employees, strengthens your sustainability strategy, and keeps your business one step ahead.

By giving your team the ability to charge at work, you're supporting smarter and greener travel choices, and showing that you're serious about their wellbeing and work-life balance. Combine that with a salary sacrifice scheme, and you make the switch to electric even more affordable, helping to attract top talent, reduce staff turnover, and meet your CSR goals.

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