In an attempt to encourage drivers in Britain to embrace the future of electric-powered transport, the Government will now award a plug-in van grant to all new ultra-low and zero-emission vans in the UK. This subsidy aims to reduce the price of these commercial vehicles and encourage businesses that can make the switch to electric vans to do so.

If you’re considering getting an electric van, you might be interested in finding out more about this Government grant. To find out everything you need to know about the Plug-In Van Grant, keep reading this handy guide from Van Sales UK.

How much is the plug-in van grant?

The value of the plug-in van grant will vary depending on the size of the van it’s applied to. Eligible vans with a gross vehicle weight below 2.5 tonnes can receive as much as 35% of the total purchase price, up to a maximum of £2,500.

Eligible vans with a gross vehicle weight of between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes also receive a grant of up to 35% of the purchase price, but the cap is set at £5,000.

Any eligible vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes or more will receive a grant for small trucks, rather than the plug-in van grant. The small truck grant is worth up to 20% of the vehicle’s value, with a cap of £16,000.

Which electric vans are eligible?

To be eligible, a van must be capable of covering at least 60 miles in zero-emission mode and must emit less than 50g/km of CO2, according to the manufacturer’s official statistics.

At present, the grant is effectively limited to fully electric vans due to the absence of a plug-in hybrid van that meets the criteria. However, if such a van were to exist, it would in theory also be eligible.

Eligible small vans (that is, weighing less than 2.5 tonnes) are the Maxus eDeliver 3 (short wheelbase variants), Nissan e-NV200, Renault Kangoo ZE, and Renault Zoe Van.

Large vans (i.e. weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes) that are eligible for the plug-in van grant include:

• BD Auto eTraffic
• Citroen e-Dispatch
• Maxus e-Deliver 9
• Mercedes-Benz e-Vito
• Mercedes e-Sprinter
• Peugeot e-Expert
• Renault Master ZE
• Renault Trucks Master ZE
• Vauxhall e-Vivaro
• Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter

How do I apply?

One of the great things about this grant is that you don’t have to apply in order to benefit from it. If you purchase new vans from any van dealer, the appropriate discount will automatically be applied.

It’s worth noting that the discount is deducted from the van’s list price, meaning that any extras will not affect the amount of discount you receive as they are not included in the list price.

Looking for an electric van? Van Sales UK proudly stocks high-quality new vans and used vans for all applications. Boasting some of the best new van deals, free UK delivery, a part exchange scheme and a range of finance options, we can help you find the perfect electric van for your needs and budget. Contact us today for more information.