Electric Trucks & the UK Plug-In Grant
Heavy goods vehicles are responsible for a significant portion of the UK’s transport emissions, and the government is keen to change that. To help businesses and fleet operators make the switch, the UK Government’s Plug-In Grant for trucks offers substantial discounts—up to £25,000—on larger eligible zero-emission models.
The grant is applied automatically at the point of purchase by an approved dealer—meaning no forms, no waiting, and no hassle for the buyer.
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How Much Can You Save?
The size of the grant depends on the truck’s weight category:
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N2 Category (4,250kg to 12,000kg GVW) grant for smaller electric trucks covers 20% of the purchase price, up to £16,000.
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N3 Category (over 12,000kg GVW) grant for larger electric trucks covers 20% of the purchase price, up to £25,000.
Eligibility Criteria for Electric Trucks
To qualify for the Plug-In Truck Grant, a vehicle must:
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Have emissions of 50% less than the equivalent conventional Euro VI vehicle.
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Be approved as an eligible model by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
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Meet a minimum range requirement—details vary by weight class.
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Be purchased from an OZEV-approved dealership.
Examples of Eligible Electric Trucks
The approved list is regularly updated, but some examples include:
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Volvo FL Electric – ideal for urban deliveries with quiet operation.
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DAF LF Electric – versatile medium-duty electric truck.
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Tevva 7.5t Electric – designed for regional logistics.
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Mercedes-Benz eActros – high-capacity truck for long-haul routes.
For details about all of the models eligible visit the GOV.UK Plug-In Truck Grant page.
Charging & Operating an Electric Truck
Electric trucks can be charged at:
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Depot-based charging hubs for overnight charging.
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Public rapid chargers—available at motorway service stations.
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High-capacity commercial charging stations designed for HGVs.
Operators can reduce downtime by integrating high-power DC charging infrastructure and using telematics to plan efficient charging schedules.
Why This Grant Matters for Businesses
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Lower upfront costs – grants reduce the barrier to entry for electric HGV adoption.
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Compliance with regulations – avoid Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges.
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Fuel savings – electricity is often significantly cheaper than diesel per mile.
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Sustainability goals – helps fleets meet corporate ESG targets.
The Plug-In Truck Grant is one of the most generous incentives for commercial EV adoption in the UK, offering significant savings for businesses ready to transition to zero-emission logistics. With more manufacturers bringing electric HGVs to the UK and European market and with charging infrastructure expanding, there’s never been a better time to future-proof your fleet.
If you enjoyed reading this article you can find out more about electric vehicles and the latest EV news on the EVwired blog.
