The UK Department for Transport announced this week that commercial EV buyers will receive a 20 percent rebate on eligible plug-in vans (up to £8,000).

The famous London fog may be a thing of the past, but Merrie Olde England continues to be very serious about cleaning up its air. The UK Department for Transport announced this week that commercial EV buyers will receive a 20 percent rebate on eligible plug-in vans (up to £8,000). This is an extension of the existing Plug-In Car Grant, which offers 25 percent (up to £5,000) off the cost of new plug-in cars.

“Electric vehicles are the arrowhead for a low carbon revolution in motoring and as more models come to market we’ll begin to see sales gather pace,” said Transport Minister Norman Baker. “Car buyers have had a year to take advantage of our grant and now it’s time for van buyers to get their chance to go electric. This is great news for businesses given the lower running costs of these vehicles – fleet buyers tell us that this is one of the most important factors influencing their decision on what to buy.”

To be eligible for the scheme, vans will have to meet performance criteria to ensure safety, range, and ultra-low tailpipe emissions.

There are currently 10 cars eligible for the Plug-In Car Grant, five of which came onto the UK market in 2011. During the first year of the program, 892 applications were made for the Plug-In Car Grant.

The UK is also establishing a National Chargepoint Register to make it easier for drivers to locate recharging points. There are currently around 2,500 public charging stations in the UK, and 4,000 more are expected to be installed by the end of 2012.

Image: Renault