Changes to the Plug-In Electric Vehicle Grants.

Changes to the Plug-In Electric Vehicles Grant scheme as cuts are made

Changes have just been announced to the current Plug-In Car, Van, and Motorcycle grants, with alterations to the eligibility and rates criteria.

These changes are being made to allow funding for electric vehicles to go further, so more consumers and businesses can make the switch to electric power. The terms will apply from Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Changes to Plug-In Electric Car Grants:

• Grants for an electric car previously covered 35% of the purchase price for a car under £35,000, up to a maximum of £2,500. They will now cover 35% of the purchase price of an electric car under £32,000, up to the maximum of £1500.
• Vehicles with wheelchair accessibility will be eligible for 35% of the purchase price on cars under £35,000, up to a maximum of £2,500. The purchase price must include VAT and delivery fees, but does not include conversion costs for accessibility requirements.
• Previously, to be eligible for a Plug-In Car Grant, the car must have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and can travel at least 112km (70 miles) with no emissions at all. After the changes, the electric vehicle must now have no tailpipe CO2 emissions and can travel at least 112km (70 miles).

Changes to Plug-In Van Grants:

• Previously, the Plug-In Van Grant covered 35% of the purchase price of an electric van up to £3,000, as long as it had a gross vehicle weight of less than 2.5 tonnes. After the changes, the grant offers 35% of the purchase price up to £2,500 for these small vans.
• Before changes, large vans that had a gross vehicle weight of 2.5-3.5 tonnes would be eligible for 35% of the purchase price up to £6,000. This has now changed to £5,000 for large vans.
• Grants for vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5 tonnes will remain the same.
• To keep the Plug-In Van Grant sustainable for the future and ensure it remains fair, each business, organisation, or individual may receive up to 1000 grants each financial year. Orders placed before December 15, 2021, will not be counted towards this year’s limits.

These Plug-In Grants have allowed a huge grow in the number of motorists driving electric cars over the last decade. It has been reported that sales of zero emission car sales have increased by 89% in comparison to 2020, and electric van orders are already over 250% higher than the previous year.

Any orders made in the last seven days before the changes (on December 15, 2021) will still be able to receive the original grant. Any orders made from today will receive their grant under the new criteria.

You’ll be able to find more information about these updates and the eligible vehicles on the Government website.