Government extends plug-in van grant to 2024/25

Sarah Tooze, Consumer Editor
Tue, 15 Mar 2022

The Government has extended the plug-in van and truck grants for an additional two years, until 2024/25, and changed the eligibility criteria.

The grants are designed to encourage take up of electric vehicles (EVs) by giving buyers a discount on the price of a new EV.

In December 2021 the Government slashed the plug-in car grant from £2,500 to £1,500 and cut the plug-in van grant from £3,000 to £2,500 for small vans with a 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW).

For larger vans (2-3.5 tonnes GVW) the grant was reduced from a maximum of £6,000 to £5,000.

Nissan _e -NV200

Grant rates remained the same for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

However, in announcing the two-year extension to the plug-in van and truck grants, the Government also said that the eligibility criteria will be recategorised from the spring with a focus on heavier vehicles to "target support where it's most needed".

From 1 April 2022 the threshold to claim the small truck grant of up to £16,000 will be increased from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes.

Vans up to 4.25 tonnes will be able to claim the large van grant of up to £5,000.

Peugeot _e -Boxer _driving

Nearly five per cent of the UK’s CO2 emissions currently come from vans and the changes to the grant come ahead of the 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans , as part of the UK's legal requirement to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"This extension will allow tens of thousands more vans to be purchased." Transport minister Trudy Harrison

Transport minister Trudy Harrison said:  "As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow at speed, this extension to our grant scheme will allow tens of thousands more vans to be purchased, transporting goods in a way which is kinder to our environment.  

"This will support our vital, ongoing work to clean up our air in towns and cities right across the country and build back greener."

As well as the extension to grant schemes, the Government also announced it will continue to allow drivers holding standard car driving licences to drive electric goods vans at a higher weight limit, up to 4.25 tonnes (compared to a 3.5 tonne limit for diesel vans).

This takes into account the additional weight of electric vehicle batteries.

Which small vans qualify for the plug-in van grant?

Small vans (with a 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight) with CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and can travel at least 96km (60 miles) without any emissions at all qualify for the plug-in van grant.

These vehicles are:

Citroën e-Berlingo
Maxus eDeliver 3 (short wheel base variants)
Nissan e-NV200
Nissan Voltia
Peugeot e-Partner
Renault Kangoo ZE
Renault Zoe Van
Toyota Proace City Electric
Vauxhall Combo-e

Which large vans qualify for the plug-in van grant?

Large vans (2-3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight) with CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and that can travel at least 96km (60 miles) without any emissions at all qualify for the plug-in van grant

These are:

BD Auto eTraffic
BD e-Boxer
BD e-Ducato
BD e-Relay
Citroën e-Dispatch
Citroën e-Relay
Fiat e-Ducato
Innovation Automotive DFSK EC35 T2
LEVC VN5
MAN eTGE
Maxus eDeliver 3
Maxus eDeliver 3 LWB Chassis Cab
Maxus eDeliver 9
Maxus eDeliver 9 MC L3 Chassis Cab
Maxus eDeliver 9 LC L4 Chassis Cab
Mercedes-Benz eVito
Mercedes eSprinter
Peugeot e-Boxer
Peugeot e-Expert
Renault Master ZE (3.1 and 3.5 tonnes)
Renault Trucks Master ZE
Toyota Proace Electric
Vauxhall Vivaro-e
Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter
LDV EV80

Ask HJ

Should I buy a high-mileage Ford Transit Custom?

I am looking to buy a van and was wondering if millage matters as much as it does with cars? I'm looking to buy a 2016 Ford Transit Custom with 155,000 miles on the clock.

The Ford Transit Custom is a great van. And there are lots of high-mileage examples for sale. But the key to getting a good one is found in the vehicle's history. A reputable dealer or private seller should have a folder filled with paper receipts for servicing, recall work and any maintenance jobs. If they don't, they are probably trying to hide something in the van's history. For example, a van with 155,000 miles on the clock should be on its second or third cam belt. It should also have had a service every 12,000 miles or 12 months (whichever comes first) and have the paperwork to match. That 2.0-litre engine also had some teething issues when it was launched in 2016, with reports of noisy idler pulleys, and adjustment needed to the belt tensioner. All this should have been undertaken by Ford under warranty, again with the paperwork to match.

Answered by Dan Powell

Will I be able to drive my Volkswagen Grand California after 2030?

I am contemplating buying a new Volkswagen Grand California, which after adding extras will probably set me back over £90,000. With the end of petrol and diesel vehicle sales coming in less than 10 years I am very concerned about the viability of a diesel motorhome. What are your thoughts?

Here at HonestJohn.co.uk we do not have any crystal balls to predict the future. However, if I had to make an educated guess, I'd say Euro6 diesel engines (like the one found in the Grand California) will be allowed to go about their business as normal. We all know how Governments like to change their minds on motoring matters - it wasn't that long ago we were all being encouraged to buy a diesel. Therefore it's possible you may be asked to pay a daily fee to drive a diesel car into certain major cities or towns as EVs become the new norm. But I do not think you'll be prevented from driving your motorhome around the UK or continental Europe after 2030.