Electric vehicle grants
A number of financial incentives are available towards the cost of new electric vehicles and charge points, both for individuals and businesses.
There are several grants available, depending on where you live. You may be eligible for more than one type of grant. See more below for the opportunities currently on offer.
For individuals
Charging points
If you own or rent a flat, you or your landlord can get a discount on installing a chargepoint.
The EV chargepoint grant provides funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle smart chargepoints at certain domestic properties across the UK.
Help with the upfront cost of a new plug-in vehicle
You can get a grant to make buying some types of low-emission vehicles cheaper. You don’t need to apply for the grant yourself, the seller will include it as a discount in the purchase price.
Eligible vehicles fall within these categories:
- wheelchair accessible vehicles
- motorcycles and mopeds
- small and large vans
- small and large trucks
- taxis
Only approved vehicles are eligible and the discount will depend on the type of vehicle.
For businesses
Charging points in your workplace
If you’re a business owner, or work for a charity or public sector organisation, you could be eligible for the OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme. This government scheme can provide up to £350 of funding towards the cost of every socket of each charging point installed, up to a maximum of 40 sockets. You can find out more and start the application process here:
There is also a local authority business grant (available in some areas) for employers to install charging points for their employees and fleet vehicles to use. These need to be on private land, not the adopted highway. If you are interested in this, please contact the Business Engagement team.
Grant funds currently available in North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset only.
If you're based in North Somerset:
Public Transport
Help with the upfront cost of a new plug-in vehicle
Businesses also get a discount on the price of brand new low-emission vehicles through the Plug-in Vehicle Grant the government gives to vehicle dealerships and manufacturers.
Vehicles eligible for a grant are cars, motorcycles, mopeds, vans, taxis and large vans and trucks.
The Plug-in Vehicle Grant now gives a discount on small vans of up to £3,000 and large vans of up to £6,000. For trucks the discount is up to £16,000 and for cars up to £2,500.
For taxis
Help with the upfront cost of a new plug-in vehicle
You can get a discount on the price of brand new low-emission vehicles through a grant the government gives to vehicle dealerships and manufacturers.
Vehicles eligible for a grant include taxis and you can get a discount of up to £7,500.
Bristol subsidies
Taxi drivers in Bristol are being offered subsidies of more than £3,000 if they purchase electric and ultra-low emission vehicles. These subsidies have been made possible through funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
It is estimated that the scheme will produce more than a 20 per cent reduction in emissions across the whole taxi fleet in the city.
The package of incentives on offer includes five year subsidies to cover the costs for:
- Licencing fees at £187 per year
- Certificate of conformity fee at £50 per year
- Permit to operate at Temple Meads station at £490 per year
For more information or to apply for the incentives, contact the council licencing team.
