Fleet industry calls for plug-in grant certainty

By Gareth Roberts

9 December 2019

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is calling on the next Government to pledge their continued support for the plug-in car and van grants.

Joining forces with automotive, environmental, EV charging and fleet organisations, including the AA, the BVRLA says in a joint letter sent to the main party leaders today, that if the next Government is serious about meeting its zero-emission road transport ambitions, it is vital that it provides future certainty around the status and lifespan of the grants.

Despite promises from all the main political parties to increase support for electric vehicles (EVs), none of their manifestos have explicitly pledged to continue the grant beyond 2020.

BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney said: “Waiting times for some of the most popular battery electric vehicles are already at nine or 12 months, and fleets need to know that the grant will still apply when the vehicle is delivered.

“Fleets are in a unique position to accelerate the shift to more sustainable road transport, but we need the right incentives in place and the plug-in grant is crucial.”

Business fleets are buying over 50% of all new vehicles sold each year, including the majority of EVs. With the right support from Government this figure will increase, says the BVRLA.

The Government announced last year that the plug-in car grant would be cut by £1,000 and no longer apply to hybrid cars with a range of less than 70 zero emission miles.

AA president Edmund King said: “The next Government must take the lead on averting the climate crisis and giving fleets tangible and long-term incentives to switch to EVs are essential catalysts for change. The cleaner company or fleet car of today soon becomes the greener used car of tomorrow.”

The letter was sent to Boris Johnson, leader of the Conservative Party, Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, Ian Blackford, leader of the SNP at Westminster, Siân Berry and Jonathan Bartley, co-leaders of the Green Party, Jo Swinson, leader of the Liberal Democrats and Elizabeth Saville Roberts, leader of Plaid Cymru at Westminster.