Summary
Grant schemes for electric vans have narrowed considerably since their introduction, and the detail of eligibility — vehicle weight bands, percentage caps, and scheme closure dates — changes often enough that a tradesperson who last checked a year ago may be working from out-of-date figures. Two schemes matter for most trade vehicle decisions: a point-of-sale discount on the van itself (the Plug-in Van Grant), and a separate grant for installing charging infrastructure at a business premises (the Workplace Charging Scheme). They address different costs and can be used together where both apply.
This guide sets out current eligibility, amounts, and how each scheme is actually claimed, so a tradesperson can factor the real, current grant value into a purchase decision rather than an outdated headline figure. Scheme amounts and closure dates are reviewed periodically by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), so always confirm current terms on GOV.UK before finalising a purchase or installation order.
Key Facts
- Plug-in Van Grant — small vans: up to £2,500 off the purchase price for vans under 2,500kg gross vehicle weight, capped at 35% of the vehicle's list price (whichever is lower), for vans that are zero-emission at the tailpipe and have a minimum electric-only range of 60 miles (96km)
- Plug-in Van Grant — large vans: up to £5,000 off the purchase price for vans between 2,500kg and 4,250kg gross vehicle weight, same 35% price cap and zero-emission/60-mile range eligibility criteria
- Applied automatically at the point of sale — there is no separate application; the grant is deducted from the purchase price by a participating dealer, and the dealer reclaims it from OZEV
- Scheme closure — the Plug-in Van Grant is scheduled to close in April 2026
- Only new vehicles from participating manufacturers/dealers qualify — the grant does not apply to used electric vans, and only vehicles already approved on the OZEV eligible-vehicles list qualify, so confirm the specific model is listed before assuming the discount applies
- Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) — a separate grant of £500 per socket, up to a maximum of 40 sockets per applicant, covering up to 75% of the total installation cost (whichever figure is lower) — relevant to a tradesperson installing charge points at a yard, depot, or business premises rather than relying solely on public or home charging
- Workplace Charging Scheme maximum claim — up to £20,000 across all of a business's sites (40 sockets × £500), and the scheme is confirmed to run until 31 March 2027, described by OZEV as its final year
- WCS eligibility — open to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations across England, Scotland, and Wales; a sole trader operating as a registered business with suitable off-street parking at a business premises can typically apply, subject to current OZEV criteria
- WCS does not cover home charging — a tradesperson charging a van at a home address (rather than a separate business premises) should instead look at the EV chargepoint grant for domestic/landlord installations, which is a different scheme with different eligibility
- Grants can be combined — the Plug-in Van Grant (vehicle discount) and the Workplace Charging Scheme (infrastructure grant) address different costs and are not mutually exclusive; a tradesperson buying an electric van and installing a depot charger can claim both where each scheme's individual eligibility is met
- 100% First Year Allowance — separate from the grant schemes, new electric vans also qualify for a tax-side First Year Allowance, writing off the full purchase cost against taxable profits in the year of purchase; see electric van for tradespeople for the tax treatment in full
- Always check current eligibility before ordering — scheme amounts, weight bands, and closure dates have changed several times since launch; treat any figure quoted by a dealer as provisional until confirmed against the live GOV.UK scheme page
Quick Reference Table — Current Grant Schemes
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Try squote free →| Scheme | What it covers | Amount | Cap | Who claims it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Van Grant — small van | New electric van under 2,500kg | Up to £2,500 | 35% of vehicle price | Applied automatically by dealer |
| Plug-in Van Grant — large van | New electric van 2,500-4,250kg | Up to £5,000 | 35% of vehicle price | Applied automatically by dealer |
| Workplace Charging Scheme | Charger installation at business premises | £500/socket | 75% of install cost; 40 sockets/£20,000 max | Business applies directly via OZEV |
| First Year Allowance (tax, not a grant) | Purchase cost of a new electric van | 100% of cost | N/A — tax relief against profits | Claimed via tax return/accountant |
Detailed Guidance
How the Plug-in Van Grant actually works at point of sale
The discount is built into the price the dealer quotes — there is no separate claim form for the buyer to complete. The dealer applies to OZEV to recover the grant amount after the sale. The practical implication for a tradesperson is to confirm with the dealer, before agreeing a price, that the specific van model is on the current OZEV-approved list and that the quoted price already reflects the grant — some dealers quote the pre-grant list price first and apply the discount at the final invoice stage, which can cause confusion when comparing quotes between dealers.
Weight bands and why they matter for van choice
The jump from "small van" (under 2,500kg) to "large van" (2,500-4,250kg) at a fixed weight threshold means two vans of similar external size can fall into different grant bands depending on their gross vehicle weight rating, not just their load volume. Check the specific model's GVW classification rather than assuming based on body size — this also affects driving licence category requirements, a separate consideration from the grant itself.
Applying for the Workplace Charging Scheme
Unlike the Plug-in Van Grant, the Workplace Charging Scheme requires a direct application to OZEV before installation, submitted by the business (or via an OZEV-authorised installer on the business's behalf). The installation must be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer for the claim to be valid — using a non-approved electrician, even a fully qualified one, does not satisfy the scheme's requirements. Confirm installer approval status before committing to a quote if the grant is part of the cost justification.
Stacking the grants with other EV incentives
Where a tradesperson is buying an electric van and also wants to charge it at a business premises, the Plug-in Van Grant and Workplace Charging Scheme can be pursued together, as they apply to different costs (the vehicle vs the infrastructure) and are administered separately. Running costs, tax treatment, and the wider business case for switching — including whether the mileage pattern and charging access actually make an electric van worthwhile — are covered in electric van for tradespeople, which this article deliberately does not duplicate.
Checking current scheme status before committing
Because the Plug-in Van Grant has a stated closure date and the Workplace Charging Scheme is explicitly flagged by OZEV as being in its final confirmed year, any purchase or installation decision timed close to either date should be preceded by a direct check of the live GOV.UK scheme pages rather than relying on a figure quoted by a dealer, installer, or this article, which may lag a scheme change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Plug-in Van Grant apply to a used electric van?
No — the scheme applies to new vehicles purchased through a participating dealer; a used electric van purchase does not qualify for the Plug-in Van Grant, regardless of the vehicle's original eligibility when new.
Can a sole trader (not a limited company) claim the Workplace Charging Scheme?
Yes, in principle — the scheme is open to businesses, charities, and public sector bodies, which includes sole traders operating as a registered business with a qualifying business premises, subject to current OZEV eligibility criteria; confirm specific documentation requirements (such as proof of dedicated off-street parking at the premises) before applying.
What if my van model isn't on the OZEV-approved list?
The Plug-in Van Grant only applies to vehicles OZEV has specifically approved for the scheme — if a model isn't listed, the grant simply doesn't apply to that vehicle, regardless of its specification otherwise. Check the current approved-vehicles list on GOV.UK before assuming eligibility.
Is there a grant for charging at home rather than at a business premises?
Home charging sits under a different scheme to the Workplace Charging Scheme, with its own eligibility rules (historically focused on flat owners, renters, and landlords rather than owner-occupiers with a driveway).
Will these grants still exist next year?
Treat both as time-limited: the Plug-in Van Grant has a stated closure date, and the Workplace Charging Scheme has been explicitly flagged by OZEV as being in its final confirmed year as of the most recent extension. Build a purchase or installation timeline around the current confirmed dates, and re-check before committing if there's any delay to the purchase.
Regulations & Standards
Plug-in Van Grant — administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV); scheme rules and eligible-vehicle list set out on GOV.UK, not a statutory instrument
Workplace Charging Scheme — administered by OZEV; requires OZEV-approved installer for claim validity
Capital Allowances Act 2001 — governs First Year Allowance tax treatment for qualifying new electric vehicles
electric van for tradespeople — the wider "is it worth it" decision: running costs, tax treatment, ULEZ/Congestion Charge, and payload trade-offs
van running cost calculator — full cost-per-mile comparison including charging costs
ev charger installation types — technical guidance on charger types relevant to a workplace installation
ev charger workplace load management pricing guide — pricing a workplace charger installation this grant can offset