The Government is committed to helping increase the amount of ultra-low emission vehicles on the road and has set up grants and incentives for the consumer, which could make it easier for you to buy an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.

Grants for purchasing electric vehicles

Because most electric vehicles are brand new, their price can seem higher than comparable petrol or diesel cars at first glance. To help overcome this, the government introduced a special plug in electric car grant to help buyers offset some of the cost of a new electric car.

This grant is available on a range of eligible electric vehicles including cars, vans, motorcycles, mopeds, taxis and even large trucks.

To be eligible, the new car or van must meet certain criteria and a list of eligible vehicles is kept up to date at https://www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants

You don’t have to apply for the grant – the dealer will include the value of the grant in the vehicle’s purchase price at the point of purchase

Grants for installing charging infrastructure at home

Unfortunately the grant for private  home owners to help cover the cost of electric vehicle charging infrastructure ended on 31st March 2022.

However, there is a grant available for :

• non-resident building owners (including landlords and social housing providers) to apply for an EVHS grant which would cover 75% of the costs towards purchase and installation of chargepoint, limited to £350 per socket, with a limit of 200 applications per year per applicant.
• Provide help for owners of apartment blocks to install chargepoints in the building’s associated parking area: up to £30,000 will be available per building towards the cost of installing chargepoints, with a limit of 30 applications per year per applicant.

The Energy Saving Trust information pack provides further details on chargepoint installation in multi residential units and the funding scheme.

Grants for installing charging infrastructure at workplaces

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge-points, for eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations.

Workplaces can download guidance and apply for vouchers using the Workplace Charging Scheme application form from the Government website.