- The UK Department for Transport has extended the Plug-in Truck Grant incentive for another year, in an effort to continue driving adoption of electric HGVs in the country.
- 12 tonne-plus electric trucks will be able to claim up to £25,000 off the purchase price, while electric trucks between 4.25 tonnes and 12 tonnes can claim up to £16,000 back.
- The extension also coincides with the extension of grants for electric vans, for another year.
Grants for electric trucks in the UK continue
The Plug-in Van Grant was adjusted back in 2016 to also cover electric HGVs, and it’s not the first time that the scheme’s original deadline has been extended. Under this extension, the eHGV grant will now expire at the start of April 2026.
The UK is already seeing strong growth this year from the electric HGV sector, with several big milestones. European truck CPO Milence recently opened its first UK charging hub, in a significant move for eHGV charging infrastructure in the country. The government has also recently announced 54 new eHGV charging hubs which are currently in the works. Even so, more work needs to be done to encourage fleets to switch to electrified options. The electric trucks themselves may be seriously capable haulers, but adequate infrastructure is just as important.
This extension will be welcomed by the industry, but we are likely to see more calls for improvements to eHGV infrastructure such as depot charging and public charging.
Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, commented:
“I am thrilled to confirm that, from tomorrow, truck drivers, haulage companies and businesses all over the UK will continue to benefit from our fantastic Plug-in Truck Grant for another year. This is brilliant news, as we continue to make it cheaper, smoother and easier to make the switch to zero emission trucks.
Large trucks (over 12t) can claim up to £25,000 and small trucks (between 4.25-12t) can receive up to £16,000 – thanks to a Government boost of over £6m. 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.
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.”
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, reacted to the extension:
“Today’s extension of the Plug-in Truck Grant for another year until 2026 is a welcome – and necessary – step to support zero emission HGV uptake, helping break down one of the barriers to fleet decarbonisation. Government has listened to industry, with measures to ensure the grant application process is less onerous and costly, making decarbonisation more accessible for more operators.
Given UK ambitions for the majority of new HGVs to be zero emission by the same 2035 date as cars and vans, however, the next step must be further substantial support – for vehicle investments, depot and enroute infrastructure rollout, and more affordable energy provision – sooner rather than later.”
