Seven vans confirmed as eligible for UK electric vehicle grant

Renault’s all-electric Kangoo Van ZE is one of seven models confirmed as eligible for the UK government’s electric vehicle grant, which was expanded to cover vans earlier this year.

The Plug-In Van grant offers buyers up to 20% off the purchase price of an electric van, up to a maximum of £8000, which Renault says will bring down the price of the Kangoo van to £13,592 excluding VAT.

To be eligible for the grant, vehicles must emit less than 75g CO₂/km and be able to travel at least 60 miles between recharging.

Those qualifying include the Azure Dynamics’ Ford Transit Connect Electric, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL and Smith Electric’s Edison. They will be joined by Italian manufacturer Faam’s Ecomile and the Jolly 2000 in March and Mia-electric’s Mia U in May.

“Our new grant demonstrates that you can be a motorist and still be pro-environment,” says Transport Secretary Justine Greening. “The new Plug-in Van Grant – offering up to £8,000 off one of these seven innovative vans – also makes business sense.”

Greening claims that a small electric van could cost £100 less in fuel for every thousand miles driven compared with a diesel equivalent.

Renault says it has already received orders for its electric van from ISS, which undertakes cleaning for Transport for London bus stops and stations, and JC Decaux.

The government has been offering grants for electric cars of up to £5000 for the past year, but has seen take-up only reach just over 1000. However, as more models come onto the market in the coming years, the government remains confident that take-up will increase.

For further information:
www.renault.co.uk
www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/
www.ford.co.uk
smithelectric.com/
www.dft.gov.uk/
www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/olev/plug-in-car-grant/

24 February 2012

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