Plug-in van grant extended

The government has announced that businesses across the country will be able to continue cutting their carbon footprint as the ultra low emission plug-in van grant will be extended.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer will extend the grant in light of the growing demand. The grant, which started in 2012, provides customers with a discount of 20 per cent off of the upfront cost of £8,000, and allows businesses that purchase vans to take advantage of a zero vehicle excise duty and no congestion charges in London.

Kramer said: "Ultra-low emission vans are cheaper to run and with a variety of models now eligible for the grant, there has never been a better time for business to take advantage and start saving money. The government is supporting UK companies that are leading the way on cleaner and greener transport."

Since the fund began over 1,250 vans have been supported, with Gnewt Cargo now owning the largest 100 per cent commercial electric fleet in the UK.

Gnewt Cargo CEO Sam Clarke, said: "As a business we have grown significantly over the last few years in London and are expanding nationally in 2015. Our fleet of over 100 plug-in vans are economical to run and also help improve air quality in the capital. The plug-in van grant is a great way to encourage other fleets to take this same step. We are therefore delighted to hear that support for electric commercial fleets is set to continue."