Don’t take grants for granted – why you need to buy now to get the biggest savings

The government grants for electric vehicles are slowly being phased out, meaning car buyers will need to act quickly to make the most of the savings.

In addition to the £1,000 reduction to the Plug In Car Grant announced last week, the government will also be withdrawing the support for the fitment of home charging points, adding around £350 to the cost.

From April 2022, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme grant will no longer be open to homeowners who live in ‘single-unit’ properties such as bungalows and detached, semi-detached or terraced houses. Any installations will need to be completed by 31 March 2022 and a claim submitted by 30 April 2022.

However, the grant will still be available to homeowners who live in flats and anyone renting any sort of home.There is an even bigger question mark for drivers in Scotland. Currently there is an additional £250-£350 of funding available on top of the EVHS from the Energy Saving Trust, meaning up to £700 can be claimed. The Scottish government has yet to decide if it will continue this after the main grant has been withdrawn.

“If you are thinking about getting an electric car and have a house, now is the time to act if you want to take full advantage of the grants,” said Electrifying.com’s founder Ginny Buckley. “They are gradually disappearing, and there is a waiting list for charge points which could mean you will struggle to get one fitted before the deadline.”

To claim the grant, you will need to prove you have bought or ordered an electric or plug in hybrid vehicle. You will also be eligible if you lease a car for at least six months or are supplied one as a company vehicle. You will need to find a registered installer, who will help with the paperwork.

The Plug-in Car Grant is now only available on fully-electric cars costing £32,000 or less and provides £1,500 towards the purchase price. This has been gradually reduced as electric cars have become cheaper and more popular from £5,000 when it was introduced in 2011.