The Government’s ‘Plug-In Car’ grant has been extended with the creation of a new ‘Plug-In Van’ grant.  Commercial vehicles have (historically) been unable to attract any grant finance but this new scheme encouraging business people to consider electric van technology could change that – an upfront purchase grant, when combined with lower running costs and tax benefits could make this an attractive option.

The grant reduces the cost of the van by 20% (up to a value of £8,000).  The key qualifying criteria are that each van must:

• emit less than 75g/km CO2;
• be capable of at least 60 miles between charges (10 miles in electric mode for hybrid vans);
• be capable of at least 50 mph; and
• be approved by the ‘European Vehicle Type Approval’ (to ensure safety).

The Government were persuaded to support the ultra-low emission technology in vans given they often have fixed duty cycles and ‘return to base’ regularly where they can easily be recharged. 

The ‘Plug-In Car’ grant provides a discount of 25%, up to £5,000, off the price of ultra-low emission cars.

More information can be found at: www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2012/1/17/government-announces-new-electric-van-grant/42158/#.TxawqBOBRhQ.email