Electric Vans Eligible For Plug-In Grants Confirmed

The Department of Transport has published a list of the first electric vans to be approved for the plug-in grant scheme for electric vehicles, which was extended to include vans in January.

Buyers of qualifying vans will be able to receive up to 20% – or a maximum of £8,000 – off the purchase price of a new electric van.

The first seven vans to be made eligible for the grants are;

  • Azure Dynamics – Transit Connect Electric
  • Mercedes-Benz – Vito E-Cell
  • Renault – Kangoo ZE variants Kangoo VAN ZE, Kangoo Van Maxi ZE, and Kangoo Van Maxi Crew ZE
  • Smith Electric – Smith Edison variants SE2 and SE3 (Ford Transit-based van)
  • Faam – ECOMILE (available March 2012)
  • Faam – Jolly 200 (available March 2012)
  • Mia-Electric – Mia U (available May 2012)

Vans used in towns often have predictable, low-mileage routes and return to a fixed base every night – ideal operating conditions for an electric van.

Businesses that run electric vans can benefit from reduced refuelling costs, are exempt from the van benefit charge, attract capital allowance concessions, and also receive a 100% discount for the congestion charge in the London. British Gas looks set to become one of the first large UK businesses to adopt electric vans in scale; Gearoid Lane, Managing Director of British Gas New Markets said:

“Extending electric car grants to cover fleet vehicles is a positive step in lowering emissions on our roads. With our network of engineers repairing boilers around the country we are keen to include electric vans in our own fleet, with 100s scheduled to be introduced over the next few years. We are also at the forefront of helping people with their own electric cars by installing charge points in homes up and down Britain.”

You can find full details of the plug-in grant scheme here: www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/olev/plug-in-car-grant/

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has also published a guide to electric vehicles, which can be downloaded free here.

Are you considering an electric van for your business? Leave a comment below and let me know.

3 thoughts on “Electric Vans Eligible For Plug-In Grants Confirmed

  1. Pingback: New Electric Vans: Introducing Mia Electric - UK Van & Van Hire News

  2. Pingback: Electric Van News: Kangoo Z.E. Wins Again + Price Warning On Electric Vans - UK Van & Van Hire News

  3. Pingback: Electric Transit Connect Maker Azure Dynamics Shuts Down - UK Van & Van Hire News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.