The government’s extension of the plug-in van grant has been welcomed by the industry – but it has also called for further support to assist in the transition to zero-emission vans.
What is the plug-in vehicle grant?
The OZEV Plug-In Grant, also known as the UK Government’s Plug-In Car Grant, is a financial incentive program designed to encourage the purchase of low-emission vehicles by UK consumers. The grant was introduced in 2011 and is administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), a government agency responsible for promoting the adoption of zero-emission vehicles in the UK.
It comes as the government grant, which offers up to £2,500 for small vans and £5,000 for large vans, has been extended from a limit of 1,000 vehicles per customer to 1,500 with immediate effect. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) said the move was due to market conditions and it would continue to review the grant. In response to the announcement, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) said van fleet operators were struggling to hit the 2030 target – but it welcomed the action on the grant.
Under the Plug-In Car Grant, eligible consumers can receive a discount of up to £2,500 off the purchase price of a new electric or hybrid vehicle with CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and a minimum range of 70 miles on electric power alone. The grant is designed to make electric and hybrid vehicles more affordable and accessible to UK consumers, as these vehicles are typically more expensive than their petrol or diesel counterparts.
In order to qualify for the Plug-In Car Grant, the vehicle must be on the OZEV’s approved list of eligible vehicles, which is regularly updated to reflect changes in the market. Additionally, the grant can only be applied to the first 35,000 eligible vehicles sold each year, after which the scheme may be revised or discontinued.
Overall, the OZEV Plug-In Grant is an important part of the UK government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the adoption of low-emission vehicles. By offering financial incentives to consumers, the government hopes to accelerate the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system.
How do I claim the plug-in vehicle grant?
The UK government electric vehicle grant is applied at the time of purchase and your manufacturer will usually handle the administrative leg work.
For further information on whether you are eligible for the plug- in grant please visit https://www.gov.uk/plug-in-vehicle-grants/vans or contact our team on 01905 700490. We will be happy to discuss any queries you may have.