Plug-in Grants
Plug-in Grants
Overview
The UK Government provides grants to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and support the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Government grants are available for certain new electric cars, vans and trucks, with additional financial assistance available towards qualifying home and workplace charging installations.
The amount of support depends on the vehicle type, approved model, eligibility criteria and the particular grant scheme.
For businesses transitioning to electric vehicles, these grants can reduce acquisition costs and contribute towards the development of charging infrastructure.
Questions You May Ask
- Which electric cars, vans and trucks qualify for government grants?
- How much financial support is available towards an electric vehicle?
- Can businesses and leasing companies benefit from vehicle grants?
- Are grants available for workplace electric vehicle charging?
- Can employees receive financial assistance towards installing a home charger?
- How do government grants affect electric vehicle leasing costs?
How Does It Work?
Government grants for eligible vehicles are administered through the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
For vehicle purchase grants, the approved dealership or supplier normally applies the grant directly as a discount against the vehicle's purchase price. The customer does not usually need to submit a separate application.
Only vehicles that have been approved under the relevant scheme are eligible.
Grant amounts, eligibility criteria and approved vehicle lists may change. Businesses should therefore check the latest government guidance before purchasing or leasing vehicles.
Electric Car Grant
A new Electric Car Grant was introduced in July 2025 to reduce the cost of eligible new zero-emission cars.
The scheme provides two levels of financial support, depending on the vehicle's eligibility and the environmental sustainability of its production.
Electric Car Grant Levels
| Category | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|
| Band 1 – qualifying electric cars | £3,750 |
| Band 2 – qualifying electric cars | £1,500 |
| Cars not approved under the scheme | No grant |
To qualify, cars must meet the government's technical, pricing and sustainability requirements.
These include:
- Zero CO₂ emissions from the vehicle's exhaust.
- A minimum approved electric driving range of 100 miles.
- Minimum vehicle and battery warranty requirements.
- Compliance with the scheme's vehicle price restrictions.
- Approval against the government's manufacturing sustainability criteria.
The scheme is targeted at eligible electric cars with qualifying list prices of £37,000 or below, subject to the detailed price rules and permitted variants.
The Electric Car Grant is currently scheduled to operate until 31 March 2030, subject to government funding and scheme conditions.
Which Electric Cars Qualify?
Grant eligibility is determined by the specific approved vehicle model and, where relevant, variant.
Some approved vehicles qualify for the £3,750 Band 1 discount, while others qualify for the £1,500 Band 2 discount.
Not all electric cars qualify, even where their purchase price falls within the published limits.
For the latest approved vehicles, refer to the official GOV.UK Electric Car Grant eligibility list.
Electric Car Grants and Leasing
Government grants can also be relevant to electric vehicles supplied through leasing arrangements.
Where an eligible vehicle receives a grant, the discount can reduce the vehicle's acquisition cost and may contribute towards a lower monthly leasing rental.
However, the level of benefit passed through to the customer depends on the vehicle, transaction and leasing provider's pricing arrangements.
Businesses should confirm that any applicable government grant has been correctly reflected in the vehicle pricing when comparing leasing quotations.
Electric Van Grants
Government support is available for qualifying zero-emission light commercial vehicles through the Zero Emission Van Grant.
The maximum grant depends on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight and purchase price.
Electric Van Grant Levels
| Vehicle Category | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|
| Small electric van – below 2,500kg gross vehicle weight | £2,500 |
| Large electric van – 2,500kg to 4,250kg gross vehicle weight | £5,000 |
Eligible electric vans can receive a discount of up to 35% of their purchase price, subject to the relevant maximum grant.
Qualifying vehicles must:
- Produce zero CO₂ emissions at the tailpipe.
- Have an approved zero-emission driving range of at least 60 miles.
- Meet the government's technical and warranty requirements.
- Appear on the approved vehicle eligibility list.
The grant is normally applied by the supplying dealership and reflected in the vehicle's purchase price.
Businesses should check whether the grant has been included in contract hire quotations and other vehicle funding proposals.
Electric Vans and Fleet Electrification
Electric van grants can improve the financial viability of replacing diesel light commercial vehicles with electric alternatives.
However, the initial vehicle cost is only one element of the decision.
Fleet operators should also assess vehicle range, payload, charging availability, operating patterns, driver requirements and whole-life costs.
For certain vehicle operations, the cost of charging infrastructure and operational changes may be as important as the vehicle purchase price.
Electric Truck Grants
Government grants are also available for qualifying zero-emission trucks.
The maximum grant depends on the vehicle's gross weight and the applicable scheme conditions.
Electric Truck Grant Levels
| Truck Weight | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|
| 4.25–12 tonnes | £15,000 |
| 12–18 tonnes | £37,000 |
| 18–26 tonnes | £52,000 |
| Over 26 tonnes | £81,000 |
The maximum discount for trucks weighing 4.25–12 tonnes is 20% of the qualifying vehicle cost, capped at £15,000.
For heavier qualifying trucks, the maximum discount is generally 40% of the vehicle cost, subject to the relevant grant cap. Different percentage limits apply to certain businesses in Northern Ireland.
Eligible trucks must meet the government's zero-emission, vehicle range and technical requirements.
The approved vehicle lists and grant availability should be checked before making a purchase commitment.
Grants for Electric Vehicle Charging
In addition to vehicle purchase grants, the government provides financial assistance towards certain electric vehicle chargepoint installations.
Several charging grant schemes were revised from 1 April 2026 and are currently scheduled to remain available until 31 March 2027.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) provides financial support to eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations installing electric vehicle chargepoints.
For qualifying installations completed from 1 April 2026, the scheme provides:
- Up to 75% of eligible purchase and installation costs.
- A maximum grant of £500 per charging socket.
- Support for up to 40 sockets across an applicant's sites.
An eligible business installing 10 charging sockets could therefore potentially receive up to £5,000 towards the installation, subject to the 75% cost limit and other scheme conditions.
Applications must meet the scheme's requirements, including suitable off-street parking and the use of an authorised installer.
Home Charging Grants
Financial support is available for certain households installing electric vehicle chargepoints.
The current targeted schemes include:
| Scheme | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners | £500 |
| Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for eligible households with on-street parking | £500 |
| Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for qualifying residential landlords | £500 per socket |
The grants are subject to eligibility conditions and do not provide universal support for all homeowners.
For example, the renters and flat owners scheme generally requires qualifying off-street parking, while the on-street parking scheme supports eligible cross-pavement charging solutions.
Businesses operating electric company cars should consider employees' home charging arrangements when developing their electric vehicle policies.
Impact on Your Business Fleet
Government grants can play an important role in reducing the cost of transitioning to electric vehicles.
However, grant availability should be considered alongside the overall financial and operational suitability of the vehicles.
When evaluating electric cars, vans and trucks, businesses should consider:
- Whether the vehicle qualifies for a government grant.
- Whether the grant is reflected in the acquisition cost or leasing rental.
- The cost and availability of workplace and home charging.
- Vehicle range, payload and suitability for operational requirements.
- Electricity costs compared with petrol or diesel.
- Vehicle Excise Duty, Benefit in Kind and other relevant taxation.
- Whole Life Cost and Total Cost of Ownership.
LetsTalkFleet provides independent fleet consultancy to help organisations evaluate the financial and operational implications of fleet electrification.
Our services include electric vehicle transition planning, Whole Life Cost modelling, vehicle selection, funding comparisons and fleet policy reviews.
We can help businesses understand available financial incentives and evaluate how electric vehicles can be introduced into their fleets cost-effectively.
For further information about electric vehicle grants, fleet electrification or vehicle funding, contact LetsTalkFleet on 0330 056 3335.
Information correct as at November 2026, based on published UK Government and Office for Zero Emission Vehicles guidance.
Government grant amounts, eligibility criteria, approved vehicle lists, application limits and funding availability may change without prior notice.
The figures shown represent maximum potential grants and do not guarantee eligibility or award of funding.
Businesses should confirm current eligibility and grant availability with the supplying dealership, authorised installer or relevant government scheme before entering into any vehicle purchase, leasing or installation agreement.
This information is intended as general guidance and does not constitute professional financial or tax advice.
Historical Grants
Previous government schemes included the original Plug-in Car Grant and the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.
The original Plug-in Car Grant closed to new general car applications in June 2022. A new Electric Car Grant was subsequently introduced in July 2025 with different eligibility requirements.
The former Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme has been replaced by more targeted charging support arrangements.
Historical grant amounts should not be used when assessing the cost of purchasing or leasing a new vehicle today.
Impact on Your Business Fleet
Government grants can play an important role in reducing the cost of transitioning to electric vehicles.
However, grant availability should be considered alongside the overall financial and operational suitability of the vehicles.
When evaluating electric cars, vans and trucks, businesses should consider:
- Whether the vehicle qualifies for a government grant.
- Whether the grant is reflected in the acquisition cost or leasing rental.
- The cost and availability of workplace and home charging.
- Vehicle range, payload and suitability for operational requirements.
- Electricity costs compared with petrol or diesel.
- Vehicle Excise Duty, Benefit in Kind and other relevant taxation.
- Whole Life Cost and Total Cost of Ownership.
LetsTalkFleet provides independent fleet consultancy to help organisations evaluate the financial and operational implications of fleet electrification.
Our services include electric vehicle transition planning, Whole Life Cost modelling, vehicle selection, funding comparisons and fleet policy reviews.
We can help businesses understand available financial incentives and evaluate how electric vehicles can be introduced into their fleets cost-effectively.
For further information about electric vehicle grants, fleet electrification or vehicle funding, contact LetsTalkFleet on 0330 056 3335.