- plug-in van and truck grants extended for 2 years as
government goes further and faster to decarbonise transport
- drivers with standard licences can continue driving electric
goods vans at a higher weight limit, making it easier for
businesses to make the switch
- comes ahead of 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars
and vans as part of net zero commitment
Businesses will be supported to make the switch to electric as
the government commits to a 2-year extension of plug-in van and truck
grants.
The move is expected to support the purchase of tens of thousands
of greener vans and trucks, and will help make the UK less
reliant on imports of foreign oil, improving the security of our
energy supply and reducing our vulnerability to volatility in
global energy prices.
Last year, industry figures showed the UK had the highest
number of plug-in electric vans sold in Europe and there were
around 4 times as many grant applications compared to 2020.
Existing grants have supported the purchase of more than 26,000
electric vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) across the UK since the
programme launched in 2012.
With nearly 5% of the UK’s CO2 emissions currently coming from vans,
the 2-year extension to these grants and the switch to greener
vehicles is essential to support the government’s climate change
and air quality commitments.
Transport Minister said:
When it comes to clean business, this government means business.
We are backing a generation of green growth for our thriving
fleet sector.
As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow at speed, this
extension to our grant scheme will allow tens of thousands more
vans to be purchased, transporting goods in a way which is kinder
to our environment. This will support our vital, ongoing work
to clean up our air in towns and cities right across the country
and build back greener.
Government grants for electric vans and trucks has helped
kickstart the market, which now offers more than 30 models of
electric vans and trucks which qualify for such schemes.
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and affordable, and
the number of available models will continue to rise, allowing
more people and businesses to benefit from the lower running
costs of greener vehicles.
This government has committed £2.5 billion to vehicle grants and
chargepoint infrastructure to support the transition to zero
emission vehicles to date, and plug-in vehicle grant schemes have
supported the purchase of over 450,000 ultra-low emission
vehicles across the UK – including more than 300,000 zero
emission vehicles.
As well as the extension to grant schemes, the government has
also announced it will continue to allow drivers holding standard
car driving licences to drive electric goods vans at a higher
weight limit, up to 4.25 tonnes (compared to a 3.5 tonne limit
for diesel vans).
This takes into account the additional weight of electric vehicle
batteries and makes it easier for businesses and drivers to make
the switch.
To ensure funding and taxpayers’ money goes where it’s really
needed and supports the transition to zero emission vehicles,
eligibility criteria for existing plug-in vehicle grants will
also be recategorised from the spring with a focus on heavier
vehicles.
From 1 April 2022, the threshold to claim the small truck grant
of up to £16,000 will be increased from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25
tonnes. Vans up to 4.25 tonnes will be able to claim the large
van grant of up to £5,000.
With the increasing number of large vans on the market, the move
will ensure government targets support where it’s most needed,
allowing for heavier and more costly trucks, up to 12 tonnes, to
benefit from the higher grant funding.
This change will ensure funding is focused on helping more
polluting trucks to make the switch to a zero-emission future.
