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Posted: Mon 27th Jul 2026
A plan to cut your energy use or improve your premises can make good business sense. Finding the money to get started is often the harder part.
Our Powering Local Businesses programme is offering five UK small businesses £5,000 each to spend on practical improvements.
Five businesses will also receive a dedicated workplace electric vehicle charger from Pod, including standard installation.
You can apply for the cash grant, the EV charger or both. Applications close at midnight on 31 August 2026.
The funding is intended for changes that make your business more sustainable.
That leaves room for businesses in different sectors to put forward an idea that fits their premises, equipment and day-to-day work.
Think about the change your business actually needs. You might use the £5,000 to:
replace ageing machinery with a more energy-efficient model
improve insulation or heating
install solar panels
install an air source heat pump
buy an electric vehicle for local deliveries, or charging infrastructure at your premises
The application gives you space to explain what you want to do and how it would make your business more sustainable.
There are some conditions:
Your business must be based in the UK, employ fewer than 50 people and have been trading for at least 12 months.
You must operate from a physical business premises that you own or rent.
You must have a Companies House registration number or be registered as self-employed with proof of a unique taxpayer reference (UTR).
Your business must have a UK bank account and must not be going through insolvency or a related process.
You need to be the business owner or have the owner's approval to apply.
If successful, you must be willing to explain how you'll use the support, as you may be asked to share your story.
Five businesses will receive a dedicated workplace EV charger supplied by Pod, with standard installation included.
The charger has its own eligibility requirements.
Your business needs dedicated off-street parking for employees or visitors.
You must install the charger at a business premises rather than a home address. (If you rent the property, you'll need your landlord's permission.)
Standard installation also depends on the electrical supply having enough spare capacity and the charger being fitted within 30 metres of it without groundworks.
Winners will need a site management subscription, which costs £9 per charger each month.
Start with the problem you want to solve. Then explain what you would buy or install, why you've chosen it and what difference you expect it to make.
Use figures where you have them, such as current energy use, estimated savings, installation costs or the proportion of the project the grant would cover.
You can submit a written application and have the option to include a short video.
We suggest setting aside around 15 minutes to complete the form, although it's worth preparing the details of your proposed project first.
You don't need to repay the grant, but it is taxable. So if you're successful in winning one, you'll be responsible for declaring it and paying any tax due.
If you've been putting off a sensible sustainability project because of the upfront cost, this is a good reason to price it up and make the case for it. Apply now
