The SPRILA subsidy is intended for entrepreneurs who want to invest in charging infrastructure and energy storage on their own premises. In practice, the scheme raises many questions: who exactly qualifies, which costs are eligible, and how does this scheme relate to broader investments in energy and grid capacity?

Many companies face the same challenge: they want to become sustainable, electrify, and transition to future-proof operations, but are held back by high investment costs and limited grid connections. In this context, the SPRILA subsidy is not an isolated contribution, but an instrument that helps companies successfully take this step.

This article provides a comprehensive and practical explanation of what the SPRILA subsidy is, who it is intended for, what is eligible, and how to handle the application process.

What exactly is the SPRILA subsidy?

SPRILA stands for Subsidy Scheme for Private Charging Infrastructure for Companies (Subsidieregeling Private Laadinfrastructuur bij bedrijven) and was established to accelerate the deployment of charging points on non-public property. The scheme targets business users who want to implement charging facilities for their own vehicles or for those of employees and visitors. This does not apply to public charging stations along the road, but to charging points on business premises, car parks, and logistics hubs.

Entrepreneurs can apply for a subsidy covering a portion of the costs for the charging infrastructure. This includes not only the charging stations themselves, but also installation costs and, in some cases, additional facilities required to ensure the charging points function safely and efficiently. The subsidy amount depends on the type of charging point, the power capacity, and the number of charging points.

Importantly, the scheme is linked to broader energy issues. Applications increasingly take into account grid load, simultaneous use, and the implementation of smart charging systems. The SPRILA subsidy thus fits into a larger framework where companies do not just facilitate charging, but also manage energy and plan for future capacity.

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Is the SPRILA subsidy also relevant for battery storage?

This question is being asked with increasing frequency. While the SPRILA subsidy primarily targets charging infrastructure, battery storage plays a direct, practical role in many SPRILA projects.

Adding more charging points increases peak grid load. Grid reinforcement is not always feasible or cost-effective. Companies that combine their charging infrastructure with a battery container can utilise available grid capacity more efficiently, store energy when demand is low, and deploy it for vehicle charging during peak periods.

Although not all components of battery storage are directly eligible under the SPRILA subsidy, the application is stronger when it demonstrates that charging points are part of an integrated energy concept. Logistics and manufacturing companies, where charging times often coincide with other peaks in energy consumption, benefit most from this combined approach.

Who qualifies for the SPRILA subsidy?

The SPRILA subsidy is intended solely for business entities. Private individuals do not qualify. Eligible entities include:

• SMEs and large enterprises

• Logistics service providers

• Property managers

• Institutions with a commercial grid connection

A key condition is that the charging infrastructure must be installed on non-public property and used primarily for business purposes. Additionally, the applicant must be legally and economically responsible for the location, either as owner or through a long-term user right.

Organizations that actively prepare for the growth of their electric vehicle fleet and implement smart solutions for their charging infrastructure, such as load balancing or integration with energy storage, submit the most robust applications.

Which costs are eligible under the SPRILA scheme?

The scheme primarily focuses on costs directly associated with the realization of charging infrastructure:

• Charging points: both AC charging points and DC fast chargers can qualify, provided they meet the technical requirements

• Installation costs: cabling, mounting, connection in distribution boards, and necessary modifications

• Smart control: systems for load balancing and smart charging improve the strength of the application

Costs that fall outside the scheme include maintenance, subscriptions, back-office services, and purely aesthetic modifications.

How do you apply for the SPRILA subsidy?

Applying for the SPRILA subsidy requires careful preparation:

• Timing: the scheme operates with application rounds and budget caps; late submissions will miss out on funding

• Documentation: quotes from installers must provide sufficient detail regarding costs and technical specifications

• Sequence: the subsidy must be applied for and granted before installation work begins; starting early forfeits the right to the subsidy

• Substantiation: applications showing that the charging infrastructure fits into a broader vision of electrification and energy management present the strongest case