Here in the UK the Office for Low Emission vehicles has put a cap on its home charging point grant scheme, causing British Gas to withdraw its free charge point offer.
The original scheme - introduced in February 2013 - offered a 75% grant towards the cost of installing a home charge point, up to the cost of £1000.
Last month, however, OLEV changed the terms of the scheme, and reduced the maximum funding level to £900.
Suppliers such as British Gas used this subsidy to offer charging points, with installation, for free - on condition of anonymous usage data being sent back to the supplier.
Since the change, British Gas has reacted by introducing a £115 installation charge for the unit.
The firm's website says: "Further to the Office of Low Emission Vehicles’ recent announcement to reduce the subsidised funding for electric vehicle home charge points, we can no longer offer a charging point free of charge.
"Our new price for a subsidised charging point is £115 (including VAT) for the 16 Amp data-enabled charging point (4.5m cable) with a recommended connector that’s most suitable for your own specific vehicle."
At present, the websites of other companies such as Chargemaster are still offering a free unit, although it is unclear if others will follow British Gas' lead.
Renault has stated that, although provided by British Gas, home charging point offers supplied with Zoe and Twizy models still stand.
The new scheme - with reduced funding - is due to run until March 31 2015, or until exhausted.
The original scheme - introduced in February 2013 - offered a 75% grant towards the cost of installing a home charge point, up to the cost of £1000.
Last month, however, OLEV changed the terms of the scheme, and reduced the maximum funding level to £900.
Suppliers such as British Gas used this subsidy to offer charging points, with installation, for free - on condition of anonymous usage data being sent back to the supplier.
Since the change, British Gas has reacted by introducing a £115 installation charge for the unit.
The firm's website says: "Further to the Office of Low Emission Vehicles’ recent announcement to reduce the subsidised funding for electric vehicle home charge points, we can no longer offer a charging point free of charge.
"Our new price for a subsidised charging point is £115 (including VAT) for the 16 Amp data-enabled charging point (4.5m cable) with a recommended connector that’s most suitable for your own specific vehicle."
At present, the websites of other companies such as Chargemaster are still offering a free unit, although it is unclear if others will follow British Gas' lead.
Renault has stated that, although provided by British Gas, home charging point offers supplied with Zoe and Twizy models still stand.
The new scheme - with reduced funding - is due to run until March 31 2015, or until exhausted.
