Dates for Your Diary
Morris JE starring at Everything Electric – London. Next month we will be wowing visitors and showgoers with the stunning Morris JE when we feature on the Commercial Vehicle Zone in the main hall. Everything Electric – London takes place at London Excel from Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th April (Good Friday). We look forward to seeing some of you in London…
Everything Electric – London takes place at London Excel from Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th April (Good Friday). Learn more about Everything Electric-London here. We look forward to seeing some of you in London.
The Latest from UK’s SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders)
Perhaps unsurprisingly 2024 was a year of mixed results for the UK automotive industry. Predictably there were various factors at play, not least of all the relatively recent change in UK government and the inevitable policies that they have been introducing. The planned increase in road tax is one detrimental step. Understandably there are signs that most individuals and businesses are playing the waiting game, to see what will occur before committing to new financial outlay. This has caused a lull in spending whilst companies and individuals assess the impact on their earnings and their outgoings.
Encouraging news for the <3.5t BEV sector is that there were 256 more vans sold throughout 2024 than in 2023. Van sales were up 3% 2024 overall, BEV were vans up 10% in December to 12% of the market. The uplift in sales of these vans in December 2024 versus December 2023 accounts for this increase and more, with an uplift in sales of 307 units. This shows that until December was finished, 2024 was fractionally quieter for van sales than 2023. However, a productive December lifted 2024 sales above 2023 sales YOY.
Consider: Plug-in Grant drives 36% hike in demand for leased electric vans
Encouraging positive
The Great Benefits of Electric Van Ownership
In the UK, there are tax deductions on business-related expenses such the purchase of a van. https://www.mjbushell.co.uk/sole-traders-is-there-a-benefit-to-van-ownership/
Whether self-employed or registered as a Limited Company both capital cost and running costs can be claimed. An added benefit for UK Limited Companies is that electric vans (or more correctly, zero-emission vans) are exempt from any Benefit-in-Kind charges when/if the van is used for personal journeys.
For further information about claiming for ongoing expenses of van ownership, which includes insurance, fuel, repairs and servicing amongst other costs, the UK government has some useful information: https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed. We know that other countries have similar benefits designed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
In addition to these tax and expense benefits, operationally, vans like the Morris JE, are also exempt from road tax, most low emission zone fees, congestion zone fees and many parking/permit charges.
