The UK government has announced the extension of its plug-in van grant for another year, providing continued financial support to encourage the adoption of electric vans and other zero-emission vehicles.
The grant, administered by the Department for Transport (DfT), offers financial incentives for both individual drivers and businesses looking to transition to cleaner transportation options. Grants of up to £2,500 are available for the purchase of small vans, weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, while larger vans, with a weight of up to 4.25 tonnes, can qualify for grants of up to £5,000.
Furthermore, the DfT is easing certain requirements to facilitate the adoption of electric vans. Specifically, the government is removing the mandatory driver training for those operating heavier electric vans. Previously, drivers of alternatively-fuelled vans, weighing between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes, were required to complete five hours of additional training, even if they held a Category B (passenger car) license. This training requirement is being eliminated.
Taxi drivers are also eligible for a £4,000 grant to support their switch to zero-emission alternatives, with funding extended for another year. Moreover, the plug-in wheelchair-accessible grant is seeing an increase, rising from £35,000 to £50,000.
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, commented on the initiative, stating, “From van drivers and businesses, to drivers with accessibility needs, bikers and cabbies, today we are making it easier, faster and cheaper for people to switch to electric vehicles. By making the transition to zero emissions a success, we’re helping to drive growth all over the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets and rebuilding Britain to deliver our Plan for Change.”
The Department for Transport reports that the plug-in van grant has been instrumental in driving the adoption of electric and zero-emission vans, having supported the sale of over 80,000 such vehicles since its inception in 2012.
