The Department for Transport has announced that the Plug-in Truck Grant has been extended by an additional 12 months.
The plug-in van grant was originally launched more than a decade ago, in 2012, to assist with the price gap between the cost of ultra-low emission and diesel vans, before it was then extended to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in 2016.
The last round of the grant closed yesterday (31 March), with Future of Roads minister Lilian Greenwood announcing that it would now be extended for another year.
Writing on social media platform LinkedIn, Greenwood said that large trucks (over 12t) will be able to claim up to £25,000 and small trucks (between 4.25-12t) can receive up to £16,000.
The funding for the scheme has come through a Government boost of more than £6m, she said.
Lilian Greenwood said:
“With freight making up 20% of road transport emissions, decarbonising the sector is crucial not only to drive down our transport emissions, but it also brings some fantastic opportunities to create jobs, attract investment and deliver growth.
“That’s why we’re also investing up to £200m to help rollout hundreds of zero emission lorries & install new infrastructure – which has supported the order of over 274 zero emission lorries, many of which already have already hit our roads.
“And today’s grant extension follows £120m in Government investment to drive the sale of zero emission vans, taxis, motorcycles and accessible vehicles.
“We will continue working closely with industry to ensure we capitalise on the transition, create high paid jobs and drive investment, making the UK a green energy superpower & delivering our Plan for Change to secure our future.”
Logistics UK said that the move would “speed up decarbonisation by helping make the business case for investing in electric vehicles”.
Logistics UK Deputy Director – Policy, Michelle Gardner said:
“Cost is a significant barrier for businesses when investing in green technology, so extending the Plug-In Truck Grant will encourage HGV fleet decarbonisation by removing some of the risk.
“We have been calling for the grant to be extended for some time and our members will be encouraged that the government is taking industry’s views on board.
“Alongside affordable electric vehicles, the sector needs a comprehensive charging network, and we continue to urge the government to ensure the energy infrastructure is delivered at the pace the sector requires to maintain the nation’s supply chains while meeting net-zero goals.”
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