Is there still a government grant available to buy an electric car?
New zero-emission cars bought in the UK were initially eligible for a plug-in car grant (PiCG). This meant that the Government contributed a maximum of £1,500 towards the purchase of an electric car or plug-in hybrid (as long as the vehicle cost less than £32,000). The purpose of this grant was to encourage more people to make the switch from petrol and diesel cars in an effort to help the UK achieve its targets for cutting CO2 emissions.
The grant for private EVs was pulled in June 2022, a year earlier than expected. Instead, government funding for the public chargepoint network will be increased. Despite the grant being cancelled, electric car drivers will still benefit from generous incentives including zero road tax and favourable company car tax rates (Benefit in Kind or BIK).