Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to offer fleets major long-term savings through reduced fuel costs, lower maintenance, and improved operational uptime. But upfront costs remain a challenge, figuring out which grants, incentives, and tax breaks actually apply to your vehicles isn’t always straightforward.
As of January 2026, governments in Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada, and Spain have updated grant schemes for both light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty trucks, along with funding for depot charging. Here’s the latest information for each market.
EV grants and incentives for fleets in Ireland
Fleets in Ireland can access grants for both light commercial EVs and heavy-duty trucks, but the first step is often to take advantage of the Fleet Assessment Grants – of up to €8,000 – to help plan your transition to an EV fleet. These grants are a practical way to evaluate fleet readiness, charging needs, and total cost of ownership.
Once you’ve mapped out your fleet strategy, there are several key incentives and supports to help you move forward:
- Light commercial vans (up to 3.5 t / N1S): SEAI grants provide up to €3,800 for smaller vans and €7,600 for larger panel vans, claimed at the point of sale.
- Heavy-duty trucks: The Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme supports trucks over 3.5 t and now also covers depot charging infrastructure following the program’s expansion.
- Tax benefits: Accelerated Capital Allowance lets companies write off 100% of the cost of EVs and charging equipment in the first year.
Quick tip: 2026 is particularly favourable from a tax perspective: electric vehicles benefit from stacked Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) relief through reductions to Original Market Value (OMV), combining a €20,000 EV-specific deduction with a €10,000 universal reduction — a total €30,000 off the taxable OMV.
This relief decreases to €15,000 in 2027 and €2,500 in 2028, making early EV procurement a smart move for fleets looking to reduce driver tax costs.
EV grants and incentives for fleets in the UK
The UK continues to back fleet electrification through point-of-sale funding under the Plug-in Van and Truck Grant, extended to March 2026 for electric trucks and April 2026 for electric vans. A funding boost in early 2026 has increased grant caps for heavy-duty vehicles, making it easier for hauliers to switch to electric.
Grant examples by vehicle type:
-
Small vans (up to 2.5 t): up to £2,500
-
Large vans (2.5–4.25 t): up to £5,000
-
Small trucks (4.25–12 t): up to £20,000
-
Mid-sized trucks (12–18 t): up to £60,000
-
Large trucks (18–26 t): up to £80,000
-
Very large lorries (over 26 t): up to £120,000
Quick tip:
-
Additional driving licence training requirements for zero-emission vans up to 4.25 t have been removed, helping you onboard drivers faster. From a safety perspective, always ensure drivers are comfortable before hitting the road.
-
The £120,000 cap for the largest HGVs gives heavy-haulage operators a strong incentive to electrify primary long-haul routes before the March deadline.
-
Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rates for electric vans remain zero. If employees use a company EV van for “insignificant private use” (like commuting), there’s no taxable benefit—making electric vans a powerful recruitment and retention tool in 2026.
EV grants and incentives for fleets in the US
In the US, commercial EV support has shifted significantly following the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) of 2025. Federal purchase credits for commercial EVs have mostly expired, so timing and eligibility are more important than ever.
Federal incentives
- Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (Section 45W): Fleets could claim up to $7,500 for EVs under 14,000 lbs and up to $40,000 for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. This credit expired on September 30, 2025, unless the fleet entered a binding purchase contract and made a down payment before that date.
- Charging Infrastructure Credit (Section 30C): Fleets can still claim a 30% tax credit (capped at $100,000 per site) for eligible charging installation costs, provided the equipment is installed and placed in service before June 30, 2026.
- Utility “Make-Ready” programs: Many local utilities cover up to 100% of the cost of bringing power to depots, complementing the 30C credit and speeding up electrification.
State-level EV vouchers
As we’ve just mentioned, federal purchase credits for commercial EVs have mostly expired, but fleets aren’t out of options.
State-level voucher programs are now the place to capture serious upfront savings — and they’re applied directly at the dealer, so your fleet sees the benefit immediately.
California takes the lead. The Heavy Vehicle Incentive Program (HVIP) is a standout, giving fleets access to:
-
$7,500–$40,000 for electric vans and light trucks
-
$60,000–$160,000 for medium-duty trucks
-
$120,000–$330,000 for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks
-
Up to $420,000 for hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 trucks
New York isn’t far behind. The Truck Voucher Incentive Program (TVIP) offers:
-
Up to $170,000 for smaller commercial trucks
-
Up to $314,000 for mid-sized trucks
-
Up to $340,000–$425,000 for Class 8 trucks, depending on technology
Other states do offer smaller grants and utility programs, but for most fleets, California and New York deliver the biggest, most reliable point-of-sale savings.
Quick tip: These numbers are maximum caps, not guaranteed amounts. Actual vouchers depend on vehicle class, fleet size, and bonus criteria like scrappage or disadvantaged community incentives.
Because they’re applied at the point of sale, fleets benefit immediately, instead of waiting for tax returns. Just double-check that your vehicle and manufacturer meet domestic-content and Foreign Entity of Concern rules before placing an order.
EV grants and incentives for fleets in Canada
Canada continues to provide some of the most generous commercial EV support globally, with a strong focus on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and lowering total cost of ownership for fleets.
Federal incentives
- iMHZEV program: Offers up to CAD $200,000 per vehicle, depending on class, weight, and configuration. Funding is available until March 31, 2026, or until the allocated budget is fully used.
- Tax write-offs: Under Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) Classes 54 and 55, businesses can claim a 55% enhanced first-year deduction for vehicles put into service in 2026. While lower than previous years, it still significantly offsets the initial investment.
Provincial incentives
- Provinces such as Quebec and British Columbia continue to offer additional rebates for qualifying vehicles and depot charging projects. These can often be stacked with federal support to further reduce upfront costs.
Quick tip: While federal incentives for light-duty vehicles have been paused, commercial and heavy-duty electrification remains a clear priority. Fleets should carefully review provincial stacking rules, as combined incentives are subject to caps and eligibility requirements.
EV grants and incentives for fleets in Spain
From January 2026, the Auto+ Plan will introduce centrally administered EV purchase subsidies, applied directly on the dealer invoice to reduce administrative delays and speed up payment.
At this stage, the Auto+ framework has only been outlined for electric cars and light commercial vans, and official terms, eligible classes, and grant amounts have not yet been published in the official regulations.
Fleets looking for updates on electric truck grants and full eligibility should keep an eye on Spain’s incentives and legislation page on the European Alternative Fuels Observatory.
Charging infrastructure
- Support continues separately under MOVES Corredores, with €300 million available for depot and public chargers.
Quick tip: The Auto+ Plan is designed to avoid the long waiting times seen under MOVES III. Scrappage bonuses may still apply depending on program rules.
Grants get EVs on the road — smart operations keep them profitable
Grants and incentives make EVs more affordable, but the real savings come from how you manage your fleet day to day. To make every euro, dollar and pound count:
- Check your depot’s power early: Before ordering vehicles, audit your site’s electrical capacity. Upgrading the grid can take weeks or months—and vehicle grants rarely cover these costs. Planning ahead avoids delays and unexpected expenses.
- Factor in five-year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Don’t just look at the sticker price. Consider maintenance, energy, and downtime. EVs typically cut maintenance by 40–60% and slash energy costs compared with diesel or petrol. A full TCO view shows the true ROI for your fleet.
- Use smart charging: Charging all vehicles at once can spike demand charges and hurt your electricity bill. Telematics and charging management tools let you schedule and monitor charging, keeping costs down and maximizing uptime.
Turn incentives into long-term savings with fleet visibility
CameraMatics telematics gives you real-time insight into driver behaviour, energy use, and vehicle health.
Track efficiency, catch issues before they become costly, and schedule charging to fit your operations.
When you combine grants with smart fleet management, EV adoption isn’t just possible—it’s practical, safe, and cost-effective from day one.
And this is where we come in. We help fleets get the most out of their EVs by maximising uptime, efficiency, and savings. Talk to our team today.
