Justine Greening and Mark Prisk, the Transport Secretary and Business Minister respectively, have announced which seven vans will be eligible for the Government’s new Plug-in Car Van Grant.
Thanks to the new Plug-in Van Grant, consumers will be able to receive 20% - up to £8,000 - off the cost of this first selection of 7 plug-in vans.
The first seven vans to be made eligible for the grants are the Azure Dynamics – Transit Connect Electric; the Daimler Mercedes-Benz Vito E-Cell; the Faam ECOMILE; the Faam JOLLY 2000; the Mia-electric Mia U; the Renault Kangoo ZE variants Kangoo VAN ZE, Kangoo Van Maxi ZE, and Kangoo Van Maxi Crew ZE; and the Smith Electric Smith Edison variants SE2 and SE3.
As highlighted by the Transport Secretary, this new grant demonstrates that Brits can be environmentally conscious while they are on the road.
The role of vehicles within the UK economy
"Cars and vans are absolutely central to people's lives - it's how most of us get around and for many journeys they are, and will remain, the only practical and convenient travel choice. Nevertheless, climate change is a global challenge we simply have to meet head on. It cannot be ignored or side-stepped" pointed out Greening.
She also stressed that the new Plug-in Van Grant makes business sense as it’s been estimated that a small electric van will typically cost £100 less in fuel for every thousand miles driven compared to a diesel equivalent.
According to Business Minister Mark Prisk, vans are essential to the smooth running of so many businesses and contribute enormously to the UK economy.
As he stressed, "now there are seven different models eligible for that support, van buyers should be able to choose one they find easy on the eye, as well as on the wallet."
In addition, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Paul Everitt, said that the savings on the initial purchase price, coupled with the tax advantages and very low running costs make a plug-in van "an attractive proposition – particularly for those running local and back-to-base services."
