What grants can you get for electric cars in the UK?
There are a large range of grants available for EVs across the UK, to help make the switch an easier process
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There are a few grants available in the UK to help towards the cost of switching to an electric vehicle (EV), with a real focus on improving the charging set-up nationwide.
Landlords and local authorities can get assistance towards the cost of fitting electric vehicle charging points, and there’s a workplace scheme that helps fund chargers at places of work.
Plus, there are some tempting incentives on offer that will make electric vehicles or hybrids a great choice for your next company car.
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Electric car grants UK:
The Plug-In Car Grant
The Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant
The EV Charge Point Grant for Landlords
On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme
Local EV Infrastructure Scheme
Workplace Charging Scheme
Grants for electric company cars
Domestic Chargepoint Funding Grant
Low Emission Zone Support Fund
Used Electric Vehicle Loan
Is the Plug-In Car Grant still running?
As of June 2022, the Plug-In Car Grant that originally offered funding towards the purchase of EVs came to an end. The government stated that this was to allow a focus on funding the growth of the public charging network.
While you can no longer get this contribution towards the cost of purchasing your car, the grants to assist with setting up charging points will be helpful for many motorists.
Setting up a home charger or finding an ideal place to charge up is an obstacle that many new EV drivers face, so this will make the switch much easier.
The Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant
Having a charging station at your home is the best way to keep on top of your car’s charging. It’s the most convenient way to boost your EV, and allows you to leave your car on charge overnight at your own property.
The Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant offers up to 75% of the costs of installing a smart charge point at home. You might be eligible for this grant if you live in a flat or rental property, and could receive up to £350 towards the cost of installing a charge point at a dedicated off-street parking site at your home.
You can find out more information on the government website.
EV Charge Point Grant for Landlords
One hurdle you might be faced with when considering an EV is how you might be able to charge up if you live in a rented property, and don’t have the option to fit a charging point without your landlord's permission.
We have lots of information on charging your EV without a home charging point, but you might also consider asking your landlord to make use of the grants available to them.
The EV Charge Point Grant for Landlords provides funding towards the cost of buying and fitting a charge point at properties in the UK.
Landlords can apply for up to 200 grants per year for residential properties.
Grants for local authorities
Grants available to local authorities are a large part of the nationwide plan to expand the charging network, with aims to help communities transition to fully electric driving.
There are a few schemes running right now that are available to give communities a boost, so it’s a good idea to see what’s on offer in your local area.
On-Street Residential Charge Point Scheme
The On-Street Residential Charge Point scheme provides funding towards the costs of creating public charging stations for areas without private parking.
This will help create more charging areas for those without driveways and garages, so the transition to all-electric driving is smooth for everyone. It’s important to apply for these grants while they’re available, so consider bringing it up to your local authority if this is something that would benefit your community.
Local EV Infrastructure Scheme
The Local EV Infrastructure Scheme was put in place to further support local authorities with expanding electric vehicle charging opportunities. This fund will be used to create a wide range of charging areas, including faster on-street charge points and petrol station-style charging hubs.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme is a great option for businesses that want to install EV charging points at their workplace. This is a great initiative to encourage employees to use EVs to get to work, and the voucher-based scheme will offer support towards the purchase and installation.
The grant will cover up to 75% of the cost of EV charger points for the workplace, capped at £350 per socket, and up to 40 sockets across all sites per applicant.
Grants for electric company cars
Choosing an electric vehicle for your company car can mean that you can save money in other areas, like lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax.
Because BiK is calculated depending on the emissions that your car puts out, choosing an electric car can help you save some money.
You can learn more about the benefits of an EV for your company car in our guide.
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Domestic Chargepoint Funding Grant
Charging your EV overnight is the most convenient way to get a boost, so it’s ideal if you’re able to get a charging point fitted off-street at your address.
To help with the costs of purchasing and installing your own charge point, the Energy Saving Trust is offering motorists in Scotland a grant that will take the edge off.
This funding:
Offers up to £300 towards the costs of purchasing and installing a home charge point for an electric vehicle
Is available for rural EV owners and used EV owners
Is available to those applicants who bought their EV through the Used Electric Vehicle loan
Low Emission Zone Support Fund for households
Scotland has introduced low emissions zones in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee in an effort to clear the road of vehicles that contribute to high levels of pollution. There are restrictions on certain vehicles entering these zones, and a penalty will be charged if the regulations aren’t followed.
In order to help lower-income households take high-pollution vehicles off the roads, the Energy Saving Trust has launched the Low Emissions Zone Support Fund. This is an incentive to encourage the switch to EVs.
The funding offers:
Grants of up to £3,000 to encourage the disposal of high-pollution vehicles
£2,000 to households who live close to the zones to dispose of a vehicle that doesn’t meet the low emissions zone standard
Up to £500 per person in a household (£1,000 cap) to provide a ‘Travel Better’ incentive. This can go towards costs like a new bike, bike repairs, multi-trip tickets for public transport, or even memberships to car clubs and bike hire schemes
Used Electric Vehicle Loan
The Used Electric Vehicle Loan offers an interest-free loan to eligible drivers that can be used to cover the costs of purchasing a used electric vehicle.
This loan is funded by Transport Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Government, and has a repayment term of up to five years.
The funding offers:
An interest-free loan up to £30,000 for the purchase of a used car or van
An interest-free loan up to £5,000 for the purchase of a used motorcycle or moped
Vehicles over these costs are not eligible for the loan, and you cannot get the loan for a hybrid vehicle or if you are already the owner of a fully-electric model.
The vehicle should also be purchased from a dealership, whether that’s online or in-person.
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