Businesses across the UK are being supported to switch to electric transport
following a government commitment to a two-year extension of its Plug-in
Van and Truck Grants.
This intervention is expected to support the purchase of tens of thousands
of greener vans and trucks, helping make the UK less reliant on imports of
foreign oil, improving the security of energy supply and reducing vulnerability
to volatility in global energy prices.
To ensure funding is delivered where needed, and at the same time supporting
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 allow
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.
Grants are available to businesses across the UK. Vehicles must be
pre-approved and registered in the UK. Both commercial and private buyers are
eligible to purchase vehicles under the scheme.
Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said:
'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.'
