What financial support is available for owning an electric car?

In addition to reduced fuel costs, as low as 2p per mile, there are a number of ways to receive financial support in the switch to electric and low-emission vehicles:

Support from the Government:

• Plug-in car, van and motorcycle grants, are applied when purchasing a new vehicle, offering:
  • 35% of the cost of a car, up to a maximum of £1,500.
  • 35% of the cost of a motorcycle, up to a maximum of £500.
  • 35% of the cost of a moped, up to a maximum of £150.
  • 35% of the cost of a small van, up to a maximum of £2,500.
  • 35% of the cost of a small van, up to a maximum of £5,000.
  • 20% of the cost of a taxi, up to a maximum of £7,500.
  • 20% of the cost of a Small Truck, 10 grants per company or organisation up to a maximum of £16,000; then up to a maximum of £6,000.
  • 20% of the cost of a Large Truck, 5 grants per company or organisation up to a maximum of £25,000; then up to a maximum of £6,000.
• Electric Vehicle Home charge Scheme (EVHS) offering:
  • Provides funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at domestic properties across the UK, up to a maximum of £350.
• Electric Vehicle Work charge Scheme (WCS) offering:
  • Support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge points, for eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations. This grant offers 75% of purchase and installation costs, up to a maximum of £350 for each socket, up to a maximum of 40 across all sites for each applicant.
• Vehicle Tax Rates:
  • £0 VED for electric and ultra-low emissions vehicles under £40,000.
  • 0% BIK tax rates for company vehicles.
• London Congestion Charge :
  • Zero-emissions vehicles are eligible for a discount on the London congestion charge.

Support from Brighton & Hove Council:

• Free parking for plug-in Vehicles:
  • Some locations for public charging within Brighton & Hove have free parking. You can see a complete list of these locations on our map of free parking for EVs in Brighton & Hove. Please note that conditions may apply: always check parking conditions and signage on arrival.
• Resident Parking Permits:
  • Although there are no specific discounts encouraging zero-emissions vehicles in the city, Brighton & Hove Council do offer a 50% reduction in the price of Resident Parking Permits for vehicles with emissions lower than 110g/km, which of course electric vehicles are eligible for.