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The FTA have welcomed the Government’s plan to extend the excellent Plug-In Van grant scheme to trucks, as this could lead to the adoption of green technologies in the logistics sector. The Origins of the Grant The history of this grant goes back to 2011, with the introduction of the Plug-In Car grant – this programme encouraged motorists to drive electric cars by providing a grant of 25% towards the cost of new plug-in automobiles (capped at £5000). This scheme was extended to vans in 2012, provided that the car or van meets conditions related to CO2 emissions. There are 4 categories of low emission vehicles, with the grant you receive depending on the category of vehicle. For a van, you can receive 20% of the cost (up to a maximum of £8000), whilst you can receive up to 35% of the cost of a car (capped at £2500 or £4500 depending on the model). The Extension to Trucks These grants have now been extended to trucks, which could have an enormous impact on the freight industry. Freight vehicles which are electrically powered and over 3.5 tonnes are now eligible for grants of up to £20,000, with the Government pledging £4 million towards to the extended scheme. The Benefits of the Programme For operators, this makes it much easier to make the switch to a greener haulage fleet. The cost of an electric vehicle can be extremely prohibitive, but many hauliers and freight forwarders are eager to make the change as they worry about the impact that their vehicle has on the environment due to the amount of time drivers spend behind the wheel. Rachel Dillon, the FTA’s Climate Change Policy Manager, expressed her delight at the Government’s decision: “We are delighted that Government has recognised that freight operators need support as much as other vehicle users to adopt greener fuels and technologies in order to reduce carbon and contribute to improved air quality.” Some voice their doubts about switching to electric vehicles due to the lack of charging infrastructure, but this is an area where developments are being made. In October 2016, there were 11,903 public charging points at 4,215 locations. The UK has the fourth-largest plug-in fleet in Europe and there has been a surge in demand ever since the programme was first introduced. We hope that this recent extension will further improve the infrastructure and encourage the adoption of green technologies in the logistics sector. By making your haulage fleet green, it could also have a positive impact on HGV drivers who have concerns over their carbon footprint. How to Get Involved It is easy for haulage operators to get involved with the scheme, as the amount of your grant is automatically deducted from the vehicle upon purchase and the dealership will even complete the paperwork for you. Author Plate Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage fleet drivers and individual drivers with available jobs. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.
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