Don’t take grants for granted – time is running out to claim electric car grants

​Don’t take grants for granted – time is running out to claim electric car grants

• Electric car experts urge drivers to make the most of government grants worth up to £1,850 as 1 in 5 buyers last month went electric
• Fully electric cars costing less than £32,000 are eligible for a £1,500 grant and there’s help to have a charger fitted
• Manufacturers have reduced the cost of 10 models in line with the grant reduction 

Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley is today (4 February) urging drivers up and down the country to make the most of the government’s Plug In Car Grant and Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme to avoid missing out on savings of up to £1,850. This comes as vehicle manufacturers have reduced the price of popular family cars including, making the switch even more affordable for drivers up and down the country.

The Plug-in Car Grant is now available on fully-electric cars costing £32,000 or less and provides £1,500 towards the purchase price. Since its introduction in 2011, the grant has gradually decreased as electric cars have become cheaper and demand for them has surged.

The government grants for electric vehicles are slowly being phased out, meaning car buyers should act quickly to make the most of the savings. 

Electrifying.com is also encouraging homeowners who have a car with a plug to apply for a home charging point, as they may find that they are no longer eligible for this after March 2022.

Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley said:

“With stats from the SMMT out today showing that 1 in 5 cars registered in January were fully electric, we know that more and more people are making the switch. This is why the time to act is now if you want to take full advantage of the grants.

“Despite the upfront cost being higher than petrol or diesel engined cars, electric vehicles are cheaper to run - especially if you can charge at home, which is why it’s so important to make the most of government support while you can.”

From April 2022, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) grant, which provides up to £350 towards the cost of a charging point, will no longer be open to homeowners who live in ‘single-unit’ properties such as bungalows and detached, semi-detached or terraced houses. Any installations will need to be completed by 31 March 2022 and a claim submitted by 30 April 2022. 

However, the grant will still be available to homeowners who live in flats and anyone renting any sort of home. For drivers in Scotland, there is currently an additional £250-£350 of funding available on top of the EVHS from the Energy Saving Trust, meaning up to £700 can be claimed. The Scottish government has yet to decide if it will continue this after the main grant has been withdrawn. 

To claim the grant, you will need to prove you have bought or ordered an electric or plug in hybrid vehicle. You will also be eligible if you lease a car for at least six months or are supplied one as a company vehicle. You will need to find a registered installer, who will help with the paperwork. 

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Notes to editors

About Electrifying.com

As we head towards the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, Electrifying.com clears the air for consumers to make choosing, buying and owning an electric car easy. 

Comprising a team of electric experts, the brand is led by Founder and CEO Ginny Buckley. With 25 years' experience in broadcasting, journalism and the automotive industry, Buckley is here to demystify the electric car and give trusted, independent advice to the mainstream car buyer, enabling them to make the switch with confidence.

She is joined by Nicki Shields, the face of Formula E, host of the CNN tech and electric racing show ‘Supercharged’; tech, gadget and car expert Tomi Adebayo (better known as @gadgetsboy) and Tom Ford, the former host of BBC Top Gear America, Fifth Gear and electric car advocate.”