London, UK: More operators should be able to get grants for electric charging points, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders says.
Last month, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles increased the end-user limit for Plug-in Van Grant applications by 50%, from 1,000 to 1,500 per financial year. The new limit has been introduced in response to “market conditions” and will be kept under continual review, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles says.
It is hoped to enable a wider pool of operators and those managing larger fleets to invest in the latest, greenest vehicle technology, with some all-electric van models currently available in the UK, the SMMT says. The plug-in van grant (PIVG) was launched in 2012 to help bridge the price gap between the cost of ultra-low emission vans and diesel vans. It was extended to HGVs in 2016.
Existing grants have supported the purchase of more than 26,000 electric vans and trucks across the UK since its launch. The level of the plug-in van grant for small vans weighing 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight or less currently stands at a maximum of £2,500. To be eligible, the vehicle must also have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and be able to travel at least 60 miles without any emissions.
