Plug-in car grant
| Level of grant available | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of purchase price | 35% | 35% |
| Up to maximum of | £3,500 | £4,500 |
Grant entitlement
To ensure the grant remains sustainable as the UK market for ultra-low emission vehicles develops with effect from 2 November 2018 only the cleanest, most environmentally friendly vehicles are eligible for the grant.
However, provided the car dealer has correctly submitted a claim for the vehicle to the Office for Low Emission Vehicles and the car is delivered within 9 months of when the claim was submitted, it will qualify for a grant at the rates that were in effect when the car was ordered. Hence the following grants are available subject to the date of order.
Orders made from 2 November 2018
| Category | CO₂ emissions (g/km) | Zero emission range (miles) | Purchase price/RRP | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than 50 | At least 70 | Any price | £3,500 |
Category 2 and 3 cars are no longer eligible for the grant.
Orders made before 2 November 2018
| Category | CO₂ emissions (g/km) | Zero emission range (miles) | Purchase price/RRP | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than 50 | At least 70 | Any price | £4,500 |
| 2 | Less than 50 | Between 10 and 69 | £60,000 or greater | £0 |
| Otherwise | £2,500 | |||
| 3 | Between 50 and 75 | At least 20 | £60,000 or greater | £0 |
| Otherwise | £2,500 | |||
Category 2 and 3 cars are only eligible if the Recommended Retail Price is less than £60,000 and the full purchase price (including number plates, VED and VAT, but excluding optional extras, delivery charges and the first registration fee) is also below £60,000.
Grants for electric charging equipment
The government continues to provide grants to help car owners to install a dedicated charge point at home. The electric vehicle homecharge scheme (EVHS) offers £500 per installation, which on average should cover around half of the installation cost.
From 23 November 2016 a 100% first year allowance is available to businesses for expenditure incurred on electric charge point equipment. The availability of the first year allowance will expire on 31 March 2023 for corporation tax purposes and 5 April 2023 for income tax purposes.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the grant a car must:
- be new, with a vehicle category 'M1';
- emit no more than 75 g/km;
- be able to travel a minimum of 70 miles between charges if electric or have a minimum electric range of 10 miles if a plug-in hybrid;
- be able to reach a speed of 60 miles per hour or more;
- have an appropriate 3 year/60,000 mile warranty, and 3 year battery and drive train (clutch, transmission, drive shafts, U-joints and differential) warranty, with an option to extend the battery warranty for an extra 2 years;
- have either a standard 5 year warranty on the battery and electric drive train, or evidence to show reasonable battery performance after 3 years of use;
- comply with UN-ECE regulations to prove electrical safety;
- have either a European Commission safety approval or acceptable evidence of levels of safety as judged by international standards.