£4M boost helps businesses switch vans and trucks to electric

Government commit £4M to the Plug-In-Van grant scheme extending the eligibility to larger electric vehicles.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark announced a £4M commitment to the Plug-In-Van scheme, on a visit to Japan to meet with automotive companies. The boost will see businesses benefitting from grants of up to £20,000 when switching their large trucks to electric vehicles.

The Plug-In Van grant has been available to small commercial vehicles of up to 3.5 tonnes since 2012, but sales of new electric vans have remained limited.

With over 96% of vans diesel powered, and the majority spending much time in towns and city centres, electric vans and trucks have significant air quality benefits.

The government is now committing an additional £4M to the scheme so that all vans and trucks meeting the necessary requirements are eligible as part of the drive to reduce carbon emissions from transport use.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “The electric car revolution is well underway with consumers and this funding will encourage more businesses to consider switching to cleaner vans and trucks.

“Our automotive sector is thriving with the world’s most popular electric car already made in the UK and we are forging ahead to deploy new engine technology to make low-carbon vehicles mainstream, and leading the way in driverless car technology.

“The government and industry continue to work together to support the UK’s world class automotive industry to ensure we continue to be the number one place in the world to develop and manufacture cars.”

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), a joint unit of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Transport, believes extending the scheme will stimulate demand for more electric vans and trucks, and consequently encourage new entrants into the electric van market.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here

The post £4M boost helps businesses switch vans and trucks to electric appeared first on UK Construction Online.