The Government announced today a new wave of electric vans would be eligible for an £8,000 discount. The Plug-In Van Grant is open to both business and private buyers and allows 20% off the cost of an eligible plug-in van, up to the £8,000 maximum.

After announcing which vans were up for discount Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the grant made sense for businesses which rely on a fleet: “It’s been estimated that a small electric van will typically cost £100 less in fuel for every thousand miles driven compared to a diesel equivalent.”

The Government made over £400m available to promote the uptake of low emission vehicle technologies in its budget last year, which includes £300m to support consumer incentives for the life of the Parliament. However, last year’s plug-in grant for cars were criticised across the board, as only 892 cars were bought using the discount, up until the end of the year.

Many think vans will be better suited to low carbon alternatives as they make shorter journeys and usually across distances that fit within current electric motor ranges.

The first seven vans to be made eligible for the grants are:

• Azure Dynamics – Transit Connect Electric

• Daimler Mercedes-Benz – Vito E-Cell

• Faam – ECOMILE• Faam – JOLLY 2000

• Mia-electric – Mia U

• Renault – Kangoo ZE variants Kangoo VAN ZE, Kangoo Van Maxi ZE, and Kangoo Van Maxi Crew ZE

• Smith Electric – Smith Edison variants SE2 and SE3