Tuesday 17 January 2012

Low carbon car grant extended to vans

Van buyers will get up to £8,000 off the cost of electric vans, the Transport and Business Ministers announced today.

This is an extension of the Department for Transport's plug-in car grant which aims to make low carbon cars more affordable for consumers by giving motorists up to £5000 (25% off) when buying a new plug-in car.

The ministers also re-confirmed there is funding secured for the grant until2015.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "Car buyers have had a year to take advantage of our grant and now it's time for van buyers to get their chance to go electric. This is great news for businesses given the lower running costs of these vehicles - fleet buyers tell us that this is one of the most important factor influencing their decision on what tobuy."

Business Minister Mark Prisk added electric vans were an "attractive choice" for businesses: "The technology also fits well with a large portion of the van market that rely on short urban trips to and frombase."

The department expects to confirm the first vans to join the scheme shortly. Applications for these will need to be received by 31 January.