Guidance

Plug-in van and truck grant: how to complete the application form

Updated 24 November 2023

The application forms B and C act as a cover sheet and must be submitted with supporting evidence.

If the requested evidence is inapplicable to the vehicle concerned, the applicant should state why the vehicle benefits from an exemption.

Note: ‘approved party’ refers to the manufacturer or third party approved by the manufacturer to market the vehicle under a separate commercial trade or brand name.

Applicant contact details

1a. Plug-in van or truck grant application reference number

This is a unique identification number provided by VCA following receipt of Form A: scheme number application form. It should be used in all correspondence.

If an applicant is applying for more than one variant of the same vehicle type to become eligible for the scheme, a single reference number and agreement will be used to cover the different variants.

This is provided that the different variants are covered by the same type approval and warranty terms.

1b. Name of company applying

This is the name of UK company submitting the application for assessment.

1c. Registered UK company number

Company registration number (CRN), also known as Companies House number. This is an 8-character code.

1d. Applicant address

Applicant’s UK postal address.

1e. Point of contact for application process

Named individual with contact email, phone number and address.

1f. Finance director’s name

Name of the finance director of the UK company, not the international holding company.

Summary of vehicle details

2a. Vehicle make and type approval type designation

Make and designation as stated in the type approval documentation.

2b. Model variants seeking approval

List all the variants of the make for which approval is being sought and their type/variant/version (TVV) codes as found in the type approval documentation (Part II).

2c. Vehicle technology (battery electric vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle)

2d. Energy storage capacity and chemistry (or principle of operation)

• energy storage capacity – in kilowatt hours (kWh)
• detail the chemistry (battery only)
• the principle of operation of any other powertrain energy storage device

2e. Internal combustion engine capacity (if applicable)

For plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) state the engine nominal capacity (cm3) and fuel (petrol or diesel, for example)

2f. Fuel cell capacity (if applicable)

• the on-board fuel storage capacity of a fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) (in kg, in the case of hydrogen

or

• an appropriate unit for any other fuel and power of the fuel cell (kW)

2g. Maximum speed – miles per hour (mph)

As will be publicly specified by the applicant (if maximum speed is limited specify the limited maximum).

2h. Zero emission range

2i. Number of seating positions

2j. Gross vehicle weight (GVW) – of all variants, in kilograms

2k. Maximum frontal area of all variants, please state height (m), width (m) and area (m2)

2l. Build stage

2m. Status of vehicle

2n. Vehicle segment

• category (N1, N2, N3)

• body type (use 2018/858, Annex 1, part C, section 4 definitions)

2o. Recommended retail price

• if this has not been finalised at the point of application, give an approximate value

• the value stated should be inclusive of value added tax (VAT), before deduction of the PIVG or PITrG

Meeting the eligibility criteria

1. Vehicle type

The vehicle must be within the N1, N2 or N3 category as defined under EU Directive (EC) 2007/46/EC.

Accepted evidence

To show that the vehicle is designated as either an N1, N2 or N3 vehicle, provide a copy of one of the following:

• European Community whole vehicle type approval (ECWVTA) certificate
• UK/NI whole vehicle type approval certificate
• GB whole vehicle type approval (WVTA) certificate
• EC small series type approval (SSTA) certificate
• UK national small series type approval (NSSTA) certificate
• UK individual vehicle approval (IVA) certificate

2. Multi-stage builds

There are 2 methods for approving multi-stage vehicles to the grant scheme:

• route 1: the final stage approved party applies for a completed vehicle to be eligible to receive the grant. Only the approved party may apply for grants under this application
• route 2: an approved party of an incomplete chassis applies to be eligible to receive the grant. Grants will only be paid on receipt of Form D from the final stage bodybuilder
• single stage manufacturers should use route 1

Both methods require extensive supporting information to be supplied, including:

Route 1: approving a complete or completed vehicle

This method requires Form B: plug-in van and truck grants complete and completed vehicle application cover sheet to be completed, along with submission of the supporting information.

Following approval, entitlement to receive the grant will only be given to that vehicle type and the manufacturer applying.

Route 2: approving an incomplete chassis

Route 2 offers benefits that, once approved, the grant can be accessed by any final stage manufacturer whose vehicle type built upon the incomplete vehicle is shown to be within the tested envelope.

This method requires the submission of:

• Form C: plug-in van and truck grants incomplete vehicle application cover sheet
• sufficient evidence that the completed vehicle will meet all the eligibility criteria once the vehicle is completed
• Form D: final stage completed vehicle form for multi-stage build vans and truck

Form C and the evidence must be submitted during the application process by the incomplete vehicle applicant

Form D is submitted by the final stage bodybuilder and can be submitted separately. It must be submitted, however, before a grant request for the completed vehicle is uploaded to the portal. Grant payment will not be made until this form has been received and the completed vehicle verified as compliant.

The approved party of incomplete vehicles must provide sufficient information on the relationship between frontal area and electric range through industry standard emissions and range tests.

VCA will use this information to assess whether completed vehicles will meet the minimum range criteria to be eligible for the grant.

The range declared on the final stage (completed) application should reflect the actual frontal area of the completed vehicle and its effects on the incomplete declared range.

Screenshots showing that the relationship between actual frontal area and range has been calculated using the incomplete manufacturer’s calculator are an example of acceptable evidence.

3. CO2 emissions

To qualify for the scheme N1 and N2 vehicles designated as light duty must have tailpipe carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of less than 50 grams per kilometre (50g/km).

N2 vehicles designated as heavy duty and N3 vehicles driven by hybrid, range extended, or novel powertrains must both:

• meet or exceed Euro VI emissions regulations as defined by EC 595/2009
• have CO2 emissions of at least 50% less than the equivalent conventional Euro VI vehicle that can carry the same capacity

Accepted evidence

To verify the vehicle’s tailpipe CO2 emissions:

• for N1 vehicles and N2 vehicles designated as light duty provide an approval certificate and supporting report that shows compliance with Regulation (EC) No 715/2007, showing CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km
• for N2 vehicles designated as heavy duty and N3 vehicles, provide a test report to show the vehicle produces at least 50% less greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) than an equivalent conventional Euro VI vehicle of the same load carrying capacity as measured by the Zemo Partnership HGV or Refuse Collection Vehicle (as appropriate) test procedure. Where the chassis is intended for both haulage and refuse collection use when completed, test reports for both test methods must be presented

For multi-stage build or non-standardised vehicle approvals, the worst case example of a chassis-body pairing should be tested.

The application should define the range of acceptable chassis-body pairings, including vehicle height, width and gross weight.

Grant claims will only be accepted for vehicles that fall within the envelope determined by the vehicle that has been tested.

When each grant claim is received, we may require the relevant homologation certificate to be provided to ensure that this is the case.

4. Zero emissions range

To qualify for the scheme, the vehicle must have a zero-emission range of 60 miles (96km) or greater.

Accepted evidence

To verify the vehicle’s zero emission range, for N1 and N2 vehicles designated as light duty provide a type approval certificate (including addendum) issued by the authority approving the vehicle to Regulation (EC) No 715/2007.

For N2 vehicles designated as heavy duty and N3 vehicles, provide a test report to show the vehicle meets the range requirements as measured by the Zemo Partnership HGV or Refuse Collection Vehicle (where applicable) test procedure

For multi-stage build or non-standardised vehicle approvals, the worst-case example of a chassis-body pairing should be tested.

The application should define the range of acceptable chassis-body pairings, including vehicle height, width and gross weight.

Grant claims will only be accepted for vehicles that fall within the envelope determined by the vehicle that has been tested. When each grant claim is received, we may require the relevant homologation certificate to ensure that this is the case.

5. Maximum speed

To allow safe use on trunk roads and motorways, vans and trucks must be able to travel at a speed of at least 50 mph or 80 kilometres per hour (km/h).

Refuse collection vehicles are required to be able to travel at a speed of at least 40 mph (64 km/h).

Different manufacturers use different processes for assessing maximum speed, which, alongside other environmental factors, introduces considerable variation in real-world performance.

If credible concerns arise over whether the required maximum speed can be achieved in service, the applicant will need to pay for the vehicle to be assessed in accordance with the technical requirements of UNECE Regulation 68 or UNECE Regulation 89.

The Secretary of State for Transport reserves the right to impose this requirement on all applications throughout the lifetime of the scheme.

Accepted evidence

Provide a copy of one of the following:

• whole vehicle type approval documents
• the publicly available specification of the vehicle stating that it meets the relevant maximum speed criteria
• a signed statement of vehicle maximum speed stating that this value will be made publicly available
• an approval certificate for UNECE Regulation 68
• a test report from an appropriately equipped and qualified technical centre that shows the vehicle has been tested in accordance with the technical requirements of UNECE Regulation 68
• an approval certificate for UNECE Regulation 89
• a test report from an appropriately equipped and qualified technical centre that shows the vehicle has been tested in accordance with the technical requirements of UNECE Regulation 89

6. Warranty for the vehicle

Full details on meeting the warranty criterion are included in Guidelines to meet the plug-in van and truck grants warranty criterion.

Light duty vehicles

The vehicle (excluding the battery or fuel cell and electric drive train)^{[footnote 1]} must be covered by a warranty for a minimum period of 3 years or 60,000 miles (96,500 km), whichever comes sooner.

Heavy duty vehicles

The vehicle must meet one of the following criteria:

• a minimum period of 3 years or 60,000 miles (96,500km), whichever comes sooner
• a warranty of 2 years with unlimited mileage

All vehicles

In addition to the specific criteria for light and heavy duty vehicles, all vehicles must comply with the following.

The warranty must be in line with the guidance on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees given in EU Directive 1999/44/EC.

Accepted evidence

A copy of the warranty contract that will be supplied to the customer showing that the above requirements have been met.

7. Battery or fuel cell warranty and degradation

The applicant must demonstrate that the battery or fuel cell used to drive the vehicle’s propulsion system has an acceptably low rate of degradation.

As a guide to applicants, an acceptable level of degradation is defined as:

For battery electric vehicles (including pure electric, plug in hybrid and range extender vehicles), the battery must be warrantied against manufacturing defects and faults and exceed battery degradation within the following time/mileage periods and capacity:

• at least 80% of its initial or rated charge capacity for the initial 3 years or 60,000 miles whichever comes sooner
• 70% of initial or rated charge capacity for the initial 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes sooner

In addition, if the warranty is less than 5 years, the customer must be offered the option to extend the warranty by a minimum of 2 years. Applicants may choose to attach an additional cost to this warranty extension.

Where the battery or fuel cell and broader electric drive train is leased to the customer, the leasing agreement must offer a level of support to the customer that is at least equivalent to the above-mentioned warranty.

For fuel cell vehicles, the fuel stack must maintain at least 90% of its rated voltage output for the initial 5 years.

Given the newness of fuel cell vehicles, we are prepared to work with manufacturers who supply alternative evidence. This must provide a reasonable level of reassurance to the consumer, as assessed by the panel judges.

The warranty must be in line with the guidance on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees given in EU Directive 1999/44/EC.

Accepted evidence

A copy of the warranty contract that will be supplied to the customer showing that the above requirements have been met.

8. Crash safety

Vehicles must demonstrate that they meet the minimum safety requirements of the PIVG or PITrG scheme. These are:

For N1, N2 or N3 vehicles:

• homologation to category N1, N2 or N3 through accepted whole vehicle type approval routes (not including small series or national approval routes)

or

• evidence that the vehicle satisfies the equivalent crash safety standards of the accepted whole vehicle type approval routes (as applicable)

Accepted evidence

For all categories, the vehicle must meet the crash requirements for the accepted whole vehicle type approval routes to which the vehicle has been homologated.

Evidence must be supplied in the form of the relevant crash test certificate for the model of the van or truck that is being presented for approval to VCA.

In addition, if the vehicle has an individual vehicle approval, the relevant crash test reports must be submitted in the document pack.

VCA reserves the right to request sight of the appropriate system and component type approval documents or test reports for these items.

VCA will make the decision on what are comparable safety outcomes. It reserves the right to require the applicant to complete crash testing if it is considered that the data provided is insufficient or the results inconclusive.

9. Electrical safety

Vehicle electrical safety

Applicants should provide a copy of the approval certificate and full document pack to UNECE Regulation 100.02.

If the applicant is not able to supply this, they must instead submit:

• the approval documentation and certificates to UNECE R100.01
• evidence to show that the additional technical requirements of the 02 series of amendments have been met

There are derogations in place for NSSTA and IVA.

The requirements for the safety of the Rechargeable Energy Storage System (REESS), can be found in Preparing battery degradation evidence.

For vehicles approved through the NSSTA or IVA routes, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is temporarily allowing evidence of certification to UNECE Reg 100.01 only.

From July 2022, OZEV is likely to require evidence that the technical requirements of the 02 series of amendments have been met.

This will apply to vehicles already approved for the grant and new applicants.

Further electrical safety

The applicant must also provide evidence of action taken to mitigate electrical safety risks not covered by Regulation 100.

In particular, this must include a statement of what actions they will take to inform consumers about the safest way to charge and use their vehicle.

Issues to cover include:

• voltage and amperage requirement to safely charge the electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in domestic and commercial properties
• what electrical safety advice will be provided to the purchaser
• whether charging the EV or PHEV in domestic and commercial properties will require the installation of additional safety equipment or separate circuits

In cases where additional safety equipment or separate electrical circuits are required, a statement on the following will be needed:

• the process by which you will ensure the necessary equipment has been provided and/or circuits safely installed by the time of delivery of the van or truck to the end user
• how the actions of the applicant will ensure compliance with the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC

Commitment to consumer safety can be demonstrated by submitting copies of the appropriate documentation that will be supplied with the vehicle. These must explain the safe operation and charging of the vehicle.

Best practice for providing evidence

Examples of best practice for providing evidence include:

• a one-page leaflet for new customers outlining electrical safety issues
• a comprehensive instruction manual with detailed instructions for owners on how to safely recharge and maintain their vehicle and risks to avoid
• requirement or recommendation that the consumer has a survey performed on their home or commercial wiring
• advice on how to install a dedicated home charging unit, with details of potential companies that can carry out the work
• evidence of dealership training to ensure dealers can correctly advise on electrical safety during the sales process
• if relevant, indication of training so that technicians and mechanics can safely service the vehicle

Applicants must also include blueprints or information to emergency services on how to correctly deal with an incident involving the relevant vehicle (where battery is located or which wires to cut, for example).

Where it is felt that the applicant has taken insufficient measures, VCA reserves the right to:

• reject the application
• stipulate that the applicant undertake certain additional measures before the vehicle can be deemed eligible

Accepted evidence:

For N1, N2, and N3 vehicles approved to any of the accepted whole vehicle type approval routes provide a copy of the type approval certificate to UNECE Reg 100.02.

Alternatively, for N1, N2 and N3 vehicles approved to NSSTA or IVA, there are derogations in place. You will need to provide one of the following:

• a copy of the type approval certificate and documentation to UNECE Reg 100.01 and evidence that technical requirements for 02 series of amendments are met
• a test report showing that the requirements of UNECE Reg 100.01 and evidence that technical requirements for 02 series of amendments are met
• evidence to show equivalent electrical safety performance to that required by UNECE Regulation 100.01*

In addition, for all vehicles approved to any of the accepted whole vehicle type approval routes, provide all of the following:

• evidence of the action taken, and planned, by the applicant to identify and mitigate electrical safety risks not covered by Regulation 100
• blueprints or information to emergency services on how to correctly deal with an incident involving the relevant vehicle (where the battery is located and which wires to cut, for example)

From July 2022, we may require approval to UNECE Reg 100.02. This will apply to vehicles already approved to the grant and new applicants.

10. Hydrogen safety – FCEV ONLY

The vehicle must show approval to Regulation (EC) 79/2009 as amended by Regulation (EC) No. 406/2010.

The applicant must also submit copies of the documentation, which will be provided to the consumer to explain the safe operation and refuelling of the vehicle.

Examples of best practice for providing evidence are:

• a one-page leaflet for new customers outlining hydrogen safety issues
• a comprehensive instruction manual with detailed instructions for owners on how to safely recharge and maintain their vehicle and risks to avoid
• information for firefighters and other first responders on hydrogen safety

Accepted evidence

Provide all of the evidence requested below:

• a copy of the type approval certificate to Regulation (EC) 79/2009
• evidence of the action taken, and planned, by the applicant to identify and mitigate hydrogen safety risks not covered by Regulation (EC) 79/2009
• blueprints or information to emergency services on how to correctly deal with an incident involving the relevant vehicle (such as where the fuel cell is and how it should be treated)

1. Drive train refers to the parts that send power from the engine to the wheels. These include the clutch, transmission (gear box), drive shafts, U-joints and differential. ↩