The UK is rapidly scaling up its electrification infrastructure. Savills projects strong growth in EV charging demand across commercial, residential, and retail sectors.
For property owners with parking areas, rooftops, or roadside frontage, leasing the rights for EV charging stations can deliver recurring income, increase footfall (for retail/retail-park assets), and enhance the sustainability credentials of your estate.
A lease model (rather than owning the charging equipment yourself) is often preferred because it transfers installation, maintenance, and technological risk to specialist operators known as Charge Point Operators (CPOs).
Typically, a lease agreement is entered between the landowner (you) and a CPO, granting rights to install and operate EV charging infrastructure, while the CPO bears installation, maintenance, and operations.
In some cases, a licence or concession model is used instead of a full lease, which can give more flexibility but less security of tenure.
Term & Renewals
Leases are often tied to the expected lifespan of the charging equipment — historically 10–15 years, now shifting toward 25-year terms given technology lifecycle expectations.
Landlords may seek break clauses or “lift & shift” rights to reclaim or relocate the equipment for redevelopment.
Demised Area
The leased space may cover a parking bay(s) or a dedicated charging station row, including cabling routes, substations, and grid connection areas.
Rent / Revenue Sharing
Models include fixed annual rent per charger, profit-share (percentage of net revenue), or hybrid structures. Rent reviews might be index-linked (RPI, CPI) or open market reviews (every 5–10 years).
Security of Tenure
EV charging leases may be caught by the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 unless expressly excluded. This means the tenant may have rights to renewal — which a landlord must proactively negotiate and exclude if needed.
Repair, Maintenance & Reinstatement
Typically drafted as full repairing obligations on the tenant (CPO). A schedule of condition is often attached. On lease expiry, the CPO may need to remove infrastructure and reinstate the land unless otherwise agreed.
Substation & Grid Infrastructure Leases
If new substation or primary electrical infrastructure is required, a separate substation lease may need to be negotiated with the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or Independent DNO.
Savills Insight
In commercial property reports, Savills highlights that EV charging is becoming an important value driver for properties, particularly where dwell times are high (retail, hospitality).
Rates for Landowners / Rent Expectations
A useful benchmark: some recent leases suggest £2,000 to £4,000 per charger per year in rent, often index-linked.
CPOs offering full funding / turnkey models
Some CPOs and operators will fully fund installation, site preparation, and operation themselves, easing risk for landlords. For example, Osprey Charging offers fully-funded turnkey EV charging setups in partnership with landlords.
Aggregation / Site Finding Services
Services like Volt Lease act as matchmakers, tendering sites to multiple CPOs to ensure property owners get best terms.
Income Beyond Rent
Where parking areas already generate footfall, EV charging provision can attract longer dwell times or ancillary spend, enhancing broader asset performance.
| Risk / Issue | Mitigation / Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Technological obsolescence | Include upgrade / refresh rights and capex sharing mechanisms |
| Tenant insolvency / weak covenant | Require parent guarantees, bonds, performance security |
| Planning & consents | Ensure planning permission, building control, and environmental compliance |
| Electricity capacity / grid connection | Secure DNO capacity, on-site load assessments, substation rights |
| Security of tenure (1954 Act) | Exclude from 1954 renewal regime or include break / redevelopment rights |
| Future redevelopment conflict | Use lift & shift clauses or relocation rights in lease drafting |
| Title & third-party rights | Confirm ownership, servitudes, title constraints; secure easements if needed |
Investment Advisory & Appraisal – We assess your site, traffic, catchment, and project income / yield forecasts
CPO & Operator Matching – Access to networks of CPOs, funders, and match platforms like Volt Lease
Lease Structuring & Negotiation – We draft and negotiate terms to safeguard your interest (especially on breaks, substation, upgrades)
Exit & Integration Planning – Ensuring leases align with future redevelopment or asset reuse
Compliance & Risk Management – Legal diligence, planning advice, title checks, and grid infrastructure coordination
For landlords, freeholders, or developers in London and across the UK, EV charging station leases offer a modern income stream aligned with sustainability trends. To explore how your property could benefit, reach out to FraserBond.com.
