Plug-In Car Grant

The government's Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) administer a grant scheme to offer 35% of the purchase price (up to a maximum of £5,000) towards a qualifying electric car, to address the fact that these cars currently cost more due to low production volume and new technology. There is also a similar Plug-In Van Grant for commercial vehicles.

The Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) is administered very simply at the dealership when completing the purchase of the vehicle. There is no 'qualification' process for the purchaser - it is open to all: private individuals, small businesses and large fleet operators.

Minimal administration at the point of sale enables the dealer to apply the discount to the purchase price of the car so there is no need to pay upfront and claim it back.

OLEV do require a short survey to be completed to help them to track the buying habits of purchasers (e.g. "Will this be your only vehicle?" and "Will this be your main vehicle?") and they require you to acknowledge that you have been advised about safe recharging: e.g. using a wallbox at home; not using extension cables; exercising care about charging in 'random' locations.

Only vehicles appearing on the approved list are eligible for grant assistance so be sure to check that the vehicle in which you are interested appears below...

As of 24th March 2012 the 11 vehicles which are approved are:

• Peugeot iOn
• Citroën C-Zero
• Mitsubishi i-MiEV
• Nissan LEAF
• Renault Fluence ZE
• Vauxhall Ampera
• Chevrolet Volt
• Tata Vista*
• Smart ED*
• Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid*
• Mia*
  

*not yet available to the public

Note: Renault Kangoo ZE Crew Van whilst having all-round windows and 5 seats (and treated as a car in most other respects including taxation) actually appears on the Plug-In Van Grant list since it is 'homologated' as a van.  The funding level is similar.

Please check that prices quoted by manufacturers include or exclude the PICG.

If you are interested in deploying electric cars in a fleet we are experienced in analysing fleet patterns, specifying vehicles and installing complementary charging infrastructure on your own site(s) or in public places to enable effective use of the fleet.  We are available for consultation and Project Management including driver training and electrical contracting.

Please contact us for anything related to fleet planning at consulting@eco-drive.co.uk or click on contact us.