Guidance

Plug-in wheelchair accessible vehicle grant: how to complete the application form

Published 14 June 2022

The application form acts as a cover sheet and must be accompanied with supporting evidence in English.

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

Evidence supplied must relate to the base vehicle, not the converted vehicle, unless otherwise stated.

A base vehicle is a standard vehicle that can be modified by a converter to create a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).

Applicant contact details

1.1 Plug-in WAV grant application reference number

This is a unique identification number provided by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) in response to the submission of Form A: plug-in wheelchair accessible vehicle grant scheme number application. It should be used in all correspondence.

See Application numbers for vehicles with one or more variants if required.

1.2 Name of UK company applying

Name of company submitting the application for assessment.

1.3 Registered UK company number

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

1.4 Registered UK company address

Applicant’s UK postal address.

1.5 Point of contact for application process

Named individual with contact email, phone number and address.

1.6 UK finance director’s name

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

Summary of vehicle details

2.1 Vehicle make and type code

Make and designation as stated in the type approval documentation.

2.2 Model variants seeking approval and versions seeking approval

List all the variants of the make for which approval is being sought and their type/variant/version (TVV) codes.

2.3 Energy storage capacity and chemistry (or principle of operation)

• the vehicle’s capacity (in kWh)
• details of the chemistry (battery only) OR the principle of operation of any other powertrain energy storage device

2.4 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)
• power of the fuel cell (kW)

2.5 Maximum speed (mph and km/h)

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

2.6 Number of seating positions

2.7 Vehicle segment

For example, lower medium or supermini.

2.8 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 VAT, before deduction of the grant.

2.9 Charging plug type (if applicable)

Meeting the eligibility criteria

3.1 Vehicle type

The vehicle must be within the M1 category, as defined under EU Directive (EC) 2007/46/EC.

Accepted evidence

To show that the vehicle is homologated in the M1 category, provide a copy of one of the following for the base vehicle:

• EC whole vehicle type approval certificate and document pack
• UK(NI) whole vehicle type approval certificate and document pack
• GB whole vehicle type approval certificate and document pack
• EC small series type approval certificate and document pack
• UK national small series type approval certificate and document pack
• UK individual vehicle approval (IVA) certificate and document pack

Convertors of WAVs will be required to supply evidence of the conversion when a grant application is uploaded to the portal.

For information on the required evidence, see How plug-in vehicle scheme operates

3.2 Carbon dioxide emissions

To qualify for the scheme, the car must have zero tailpipe carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Accepted evidence

To verify the vehicle’s zero tailpipe emissions, you must provide one of the following:

• a copy of the communication form issued by the authority approving the vehicle to UNECE Regulation 101 and document pack
• the type approval certificate (including addendum) issued by the authority approving the vehicle to Regulation (EC) No 715/2007

3.3 Zero emission range

The vehicle must have a zero-emission range of at least 70 miles.

Accepted evidence

To verify the vehicle’s zero emission range, you must provide one of the following:

• a copy of the communication form issued by the authority approving the vehicle to UNECE Regulation 101 and document pack
• the type approval certificate (including addendum) issued by the authority approving the vehicle to Regulation (EC) No 715/2007.

3.4 Maximum speed

To allow safe use on trunk roads and motorways, vehicles must be able to travel at a speed of at least 60mph (96 km/h).

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

In the event of credible concerns appearing about the vehicle achieving a maximum speed of 60mph (96 km/h) in service, the applicant will need to pay for the vehicle to be assessed in accordance with the technical requirements of UNECE Regulation 68.

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

Accepted evidence

• whole vehicle type approval documents

And one of the following:

• a copy of the publicly available specification of the vehicle stating that the vehicle has a top speed of 60mph (96 km/h) or greater
• a signed statement of vehicle maximum speed 60mph (96 km/h) or greater), stating that this value will be made publicly available
• a copy of an approval certificate and document pack 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

3.5 Warranty for the vehicle and battery or fuel cell and electric drive train

See the minimum warranty requirements that must be provided to meet the warranty criterion.

Accepted evidence

• a copy of the warranty document showing that the requirements have been met

3.6 Battery or fuel cell degradation

For definitions and requirements of degradation see Preparing battery degradation evidence.

Accepted evidence

These requirements can be met either through:

• warranty terms that explicitly cover the battery against unreasonable degradation
• actual data from tests undertaken on an appropriate sample of batteries that have been in service for a period of 3 or more years, showing that they have not degraded unreasonably
• written assurance from the applicant that the battery will offer a reasonable performance, comparable with or better than the rates of degradation specified in Preparing battery degradation evidence. The applicant must provide evidence to support their assurance

Further information on what each piece of accepted evidence requires is given in Preparing battery degradation evidence.

3.7 Crash safety

Base vehicles must demonstrate that they meet the minimum safety requirements of their type approval.

There are 2 routes to demonstrate compliance:

• homologation to category M1 through EC whole vehicle type approval, UK(NI) whole vehicle type approval or GB whole vehicle type approval
• evidence that the vehicle satisfies the crash safety standards of the accepted whole vehicle type approval routes

Accepted evidence

You must provide one of the following:

• a copy of the EC whole vehicle type approval certificate and document pack for the model of the car that is being presented to the VCA
• relevant crash test certificate for the model of base vehicle that is being presented for approval to VCA

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

In making the decision on what are comparable safety outcomes, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) 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.

3.8 Electrical safety

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

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 must include:

• the voltage and amperage requirement to safely charge the EV
• which electrical safety advice will be provided to the purchaser
• whether charging the EV in domestic properties will require the installation of additional safety equipment or separate circuits
  • in cases where additional safety equipment or separate electrical circuits are required, tell us the process you will follow to ensure the necessary equipment has been provided and/or circuits safely installed by the time of delivery of the car to the consumer
• how the actions of the applicant will ensure compliance with the Low Voltage Directive 2 006/95/EC.

The applicant could also demonstrate their commitment to consumer safety by submitting written confirmation that they will provide documentation with the vehicle that explains 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 his or her home 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
• blueprints / information to emergency services on how to correctly deal with an incident involving the relevant vehicle (such as where the battery is located / which wires to cut)

Where it is felt that the applicant has taken insufficient measures, the 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

• a copy of the type approval certificate and document pack to UNECE Reg 100.02

OR

• a copy of the type approval certificate and document pack to UNECE Reg 100.01, and evidence that technical requirements for 02 series of amendments are met

In addition to either of the above, you must provide:

• descriptions of the action taken, and planned, by the applicant to identify and mitigate electrical safety risks not covered by Regulation 100. At a minimum the manufacturer should demonstrate points outlined in best practice for providing evidence in whatever form is judged appropriate
• blueprints / information to emergency services on how to correctly deal with an incident involving the relevant vehicle (where the battery is located or what wires to cut, for example).

3.9 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 demonstrate their commitment to consumer safety by submitting copies of the documentation 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

• a copy of the type approval certificate and document pack to Regulation (EC) 79/2009
• descriptions of the action taken, and planned, by the applicant to identify and mitigate hydrogen safety risks not covered by Regulation (EC) 79/2009
• blueprints / 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)