Plug-in Van Grant Extended: Helping Businesses Go Electric
The UK government has announced an extension of the plug-in van grant, providing financial support for businesses and individuals looking to switch to electric vans. This move offers a potential boost to the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and supports the country’s broader environmental goals.
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that the plug-in van grant will continue for another year, extending through 2026. Since its launch, the program has played a significant role, contributing to the sale of over 80,000 electric and zero-emission vans. An additional £120 million has been allocated to ensure the continuation of these incentives.
This extension is welcome news for the industry and for climate campaigners. It signals continued government support for the transition to electric vehicles, even as discussions continue regarding the broader ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mandate. While the plug-in car grant was discontinued in 2022, the plug-in van grant remains a key incentive for businesses.
Who Benefits from the Plug-in Van Grant?
The extended grant is a boon for van buyers, including cab drivers and users of wheelchair-accessible vehicles. It offers financial assistance, making electric vans more affordable and supporting the shift towards zero-emission transportation. This aligns with the UK’s commitment to having all new vans be electric by 2050, and the broader net-zero carbon target.
How the Plug-in Van Grant Works
The plug-in van grant is a subsidy offered to buyers of qualifying electric vans. To be eligible, a van must meet specific criteria:
- It must be capable of driving at least 60 miles in zero-emission mode.
- It must emit less than 50g/km of CO2 according to manufacturer figures from official tests.
While technically plug-in hybrid vans could qualify, the grant is effectively limited to fully electric vans currently, as there are no hybrid vans that match these requirements.
Grant Amounts
The value of the grant depends on the van’s gross vehicle weight (GVW):
- Vans with a GVW of less than 2.5 tonnes: Up to 35% of the purchase price, capped at £2,500.
- Vans with a GVW between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes: Up to 35% of the purchase price, capped at £5,000.
For small trucks with a GVW of 3.5 tonnes or more, there’s a separate grant, which contributes up to 20% of the vehicle’s value, with a maximum of £16,000.
Eligible Van Models
Here’s a list of vans eligible for the plug-in grant, categorized by their GVW:
Vans under 2.5 tonnes GVW (up to £2,500 grant):
- Citroen e-Berlingo
- Dacia Spring Cargo
- Fiat e-Doblo
- Ford Transit Connect PHEV Short Wheel Base Van
- Ford Transit Connect PHEV Short Wheel Base FlexCab
- Maxus eDeliver 3 (short wheelbase variants)
- Mercedes eCitan
- Nextem Orca
- Nissan Townstar
- Nissan Voltia
- Peugeot e-Partner
- Renault Kangoo E-Tech
- Renault Kangoo E-Tech (medium wheelbase versions)
- Toyota Proace City Electric
- Vauxhall Combo-e
Vans between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes GVW (up to £5,000 grant):
- BD Auto eTraffic
- BD e-Boxer
- BD e-Ducato
- BD e-Relay
- Citroen e-Dispatch
- Citroen e-Relay
- DFSK EC31
- DFSK EC35
- Fiat E-Ducato
- Fiat E-Scudo
- Ford E-Transit (Leader)
- Ford E-Transit (Trend)
- Ford E-Transit Custom (Limited)
- Ford E-Transit Custom (MS-RT)
- Ford E-Transit Custom (Sport)
- Ford E-Transit Custom (Trend)
- Ford Transit Connect PHEV Long Wheel Base Van
- Ford Transit Connect PHEV Long Wheel Base FlexCab
- Iveco eDaily
- LEVC VN5
- MAN eTGE
- Maxus eDeliver 3
- Maxus eDeliver 3 LWB Chassis Cab
- Maxus eDeliver 5
- Maxus eDeliver 7
- Maxus eDeliver 9
- Maxus eDeliver 9 MC L3 Chassis Cab
- Maxus eDeliver 9 LC L4 Chassis Cab
- Maxus T90
- Mercedes-Benz eVito
- Mercedes-Benz eVito Premium
- Mercedes-Benz eVito Progressive
- Mercedes eSprinter
- Nissan Townstar Crew Van
- Nissan Townstar L2
- Peugeot e-Boxer
- Peugeot e-Expert Promod
- Renault Kangoo E-Tech (long wheelbase and crew van versions)
- Renault Master E-Tech (panel and conversions)
- Renault Trafic E-Tech
- Renault Trucks Master ZE
- Toyota Proace Electric
- Vauxhall Movano
- Vauxhall Vivaro-e
- Volkswagen E-Transporter
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo Commerce
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo Commerce Plus
Applying for the Grant
The process is designed to be simple for buyers. When purchasing a qualifying van from a dealership, the discount is applied automatically. The grant amount is deducted from the vehicle’s list price, with the discount unaffected by any optional equipment selected by the customer.
With the extension of the plug-in van grant, the government is taking a positive step in promoting the use of electric vehicles and supporting the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation sector.
