Guidance

How to apply for vehicle eligibility for the Electric Car Grant

Updated 16 July 2025

Guidance for car manufacturers on how to apply for their vehicles to be eligible for the Electric Car Grant.

The guidance explains:

• how the scheme works
• vehicle eligibility
• the application process

Overview

The Electric Car Grant offers banded grant levels for vehicles priced at £37,000 or below, with eligibility criteria based on the sustainability of vehicle manufacturing.

The highest grant, available for cars with the lowest carbon emission scores, is £3,750. The second level of grant is £1,500. 

The grant is only available for vehicles that have been approved as eligible.

To be eligible vehicles must meet the following technical standards, as a minimum:

• be an M1 passenger vehicle (used for the carriage of passengers)
• produce 0g CO2/km at the tailpipe
• have a minimum battery range of 100 miles WLTP
• have a battery or fuel cell, used to drive the vehicle’s propulsion system, with an acceptably low rate of degradation
• have a warranty that guarantees the following:
  • in respect of any traction battery, hydrogen fuel cell stack or hydrogen tank and electric drivetrain, a warranty period of at least 8 years, or a distance of at least the first 100,000 miles, whichever is reached first
  • in respect of any traction battery, providing for replacement of the battery if it falls below 70% capacity during the first 8 years
  • in respect of any fuel cell, the fuel stack must maintain at least 90% of its rated voltage output for the initial 5 years
  • in respect of the remainder of the vehicle, covering a warranty period of at least 3 years, or a distance of at least the first 60,000 miles, whichever is reached first

Manufacturers must hold a verified Science Based Target and the carbon emissions incurred in vehicle assembly and battery cell production locations must be below certain thresholds.

Read more about vehicle eligibility criteria.

There is a separate Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) grant available for cars which are converted to WAVs and have a recommended retail price below £50,000.

We regularly review all vehicle grants. Both the level of grant and the criteria for each category is liable to change with no notice.

Eligible vehicles

The ECG can only be claimed for new cars at the point of first registration.

To be eligible for the grant, completed cars (chassis and bodywork) need to meet the technical and environmental criteria set out in this guidance. These criteria are intended to support the transition to zero emission vehicles and incentivise more sustainable manufacturing practices. We reserve the right to alter these criteria. If, for example, during the course of the ECG new regulations or standards come into force, these eligibility criteria will be harmonised with those regulations or standards.

Vehicle eligibility is assessed by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). Manufacturers of vehicles accepted onto the scheme must sign and return a legal agreement to the department. This legal agreement details the terms and conditions of the grant.

If an applicant is applying for more than one variant of the same vehicle to become eligible for the scheme, a single reference number and agreement should be used to cover the different variants. These different variants must be covered by the same type approval and warranty terms.

New variants of a vehicle that is already eligible for the grant are not automatically eligible. A variant of a vehicle that requires new type approval documentation will need to be approved separately. Manufacturers should apply for these new variants to be approved under the grant scheme. If you are unsure whether a new variant of a vehicle needs to be approved, contact PlugInGrants@dft.gov.uk.

Apply for vehicle eligibility

To apply for vehicle eligibility you need to submit an application form and supporting evidence.

All supporting evidence for both technical and environmental criteria should be in English. Any evidence submitted that is not in English will not be reviewed.

The VCA will assess the vehicle’s technical criteria and OZEV will assess the vehicle’s environmental criteria.

We aim to process applications as quickly as possible. Applications will be processed in the order they are received. We aim to make a decision within a calendar month, from the time all documents are received.

This depends on the complexity of the application and whether further technical and/or environmental information is required. We recommend applicants engage as early as possible with OZEV to allow time for the application to be processed.

If you are applying for more than one variant of a base vehicle, where the range or battery specifications differ, you may need a separate reference number and application form for each variant.

The assessment process is as follows:

1. Send an email to ECGApplications@ozev.gov.uk to request an Electric Car Grant application reference number and declare your intention to apply for the Electric Car Grant.

2. Complete and submit the application form and supporting evidence to ECGApplications@ozev.gov.uk.

3. The VCA confirms the validity of type approval certificates and warranty documentation presented as evidence.

4. The VCA either:

   • decides that the application has passed
   • decides that the application has failed
   • requests further information from the applicant
   • requests advice from independent technical experts before coming to a decision – this is likely to be on evidence relating to battery or fuel cell degradation and/or crash safety, but may be on another aspect of the application

5. At the same time, OZEV reviews the environmental criteria of the application. This stage determines which level of grant is available to the vehicle being assessed.

6. OZEV either:

   • confirms the application has passed and is eligible for the highest grant band – £3,750
   • confirms the application has passed and is eligible for the second grant band – £1,500
   • requests further information
   • confirms the application has failed and is ineligible for the grant

7. If the vehicle passes the assessment process, an offer letter will be sent to the applicant setting out the terms of acceptance.

8. If the vehicle fails on the technical application, a letter will be sent to the applicant explaining the reasons why and recommending steps which the vehicle manufacturer might wish to take before resubmitting an application.

9. If the vehicle fails on the environmental application, details of the review process available to applicants will be shared, along with next steps should the applicant wish to progress the review.

10. If the vehicle is approved, it will be added to the Electric Car Grant portal. Dealerships and manufacturers use the portal to manage the grant payment process.

Read separate guidance about using the Electric Car Grant portal.

Details of the vehicle will also be added to the public eligible vehicles list.

Costs

Cases where independent technical expertise is needed to assess applications are likely to be rare. In such cases, however, there may be a cost to the applicant. Independent technical advice is most likely to be required for the following criteria:

If your application fails

Applicants have a right to seek a review of the VCA decision regarding the technical criteria application or OZEV’s decision regarding the environmental criteria application. Further detail on the review process would be provided to the applicant in the letter advising that the application had been unsuccessful.

If significant further work is required to validate the submitted evidence, the applicant may be asked to meet those costs. OZEV will let the applicant know if this applies, in order to enable the applicant to decide whether they wish to meet the costs or to withdraw the application.

Applicants are encouraged to contact OZEV with any specific questions.

How to complete the application form

The application form and the supporting evidence must be in English. You need to supply the following information and evidence.

Applicant contact details

Electric Car Grant application number - to request a unique identification number and declare your intention to apply for the Electric Car Grant email ECGApplications@ozev.gov.uk.

Once you have an application number, you should use it in all correspondence from that point.

A single reference number and legal agreement should be used to cover multiple variants, if an applicant is applying for more than one variant of the same vehicle to become eligible for the scheme. These different variants must be covered by the same type approval and warranty terms.

Name of company applying – name of company submitting the application for assessment.

Applicant address – postal address of company submitting the application for assessment.

Point of contact for application process – named individual with contact email, phone number and address.

Summary of vehicle details

Vehicle model – commercial name.

Model variants seeking approval – list all the variants of the model for which approval is being sought.

Energy storage capacity and chemistry (or principle of operation) – outline and evidence the chemistry in the case of a battery, or the principle of operation of any other powertrain energy storage device and its capacity (in kWh or other appropriate units).

Fuel cell capacity (if applicable) – the on-board fuel storage capacity of a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) (in kg, in the case of hydrogen, or an appropriate unit for any other fuel) and power of the fuel cell (kW).

Maximum speed (mph) – as publicly specified by the applicant (if maximum speed is limited, please specify the limited maximum).

Number of seating positions – includes the driver’s seat.

Vehicle segment – for example, lower medium or supermini.

Recommended retail price.

Definition of price cap

To be eligible for the ECG, a car must be priced at or below £37,000 recommended retail price (RRP).

The definition of RRP includes:

• VAT, including VAT reclaimable by a business
• vehicle manufacturer or dealer’s mandatory extras including delivery charges or administration fees
• the battery cost (including where the battery is leased)
• any non-standard option fitted by the manufacturer or dealer affecting the capacity of the battery, drive train configuration or maximum net power

The definition of RRP excludes:

• any non-standard option fitted by the manufacturer or dealer which does not affect the capacity of the battery, drivetrain configuration or maximum net power
• modifications such as ‘police packs’, ambulance/fire engine modifications
• modifications for disabled users, including WAV conversions
• warranties, excluding the mandatory warranties identified below
• insurance and service packages etc
• first registration fee and cost of first licence
• discounts – including rebates

Where a vehicle model has multiple powertrain options (that is options that affect the capacity of the battery, drive train configuration, or maximum net power) eligibility will be determined by the RRP price for the lowest priced variant of each distinct powertrain.

For example, if a vehicle model has a 50Kwh battery option priced at £35,000 to £40,000 and a 60Kwh battery option priced at £40,000 to £45,000, all of the 50Kwh battery variants would be eligible, none of the 60Kwh battery variants would be eligible.

Vehicle eligibility criteria

Vehicle type

The vehicle must be within the M1 category, as defined under Regulation (EU) 2018/858.

Accepted evidence

To show that the vehicle is type-approved as M1 category, please provide a copy of one of the following:

• EU/GB or UK(NI) Whole Vehicle Type Approval certificate
• GB Medium Series Type Approval certificate
• GB Small Series Type Approval certificate
• EU Small Series Type Approval certificate
• UK(NI) ‘EU’ Small Series Type Approval certificate
• UK(NI) National Small Series Type Approval certificate
• UK Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificate

Multi-stage builds

For the purposes of the ECG, any multi-stage built M1 vehicle needs to have been type-approved as a completed vehicle (that comprises both chassis and bodywork); the accepted evidence listed above must cover the vehicle in its finished condition. An application for a vehicle that has not been completed will not be accepted.

This is to ensure vehicles driven off the forecourt when bought by the public meet the ECG criteria.

To make an enquiry about applying for type approval, email: enquiries@vca.gov.uk.  

CO2 emissions

As explained in the background section, to qualify for the scheme, the car must have zero tailpipe CO2 emissions WLTP.

Accepted evidence

To verify the vehicle’s zero tailpipe emissions either:

• a copy of approval certificate to UN Regulation No. 154
• the type approval certificate (including addendum) issued by the authority approving the vehicle to Regulation (EC) No 715/2007

Zero emission range

The vehicle must have a zero-emission range of at least 100 miles WLTP.

Accepted evidence

To verify the vehicle’s zero emission range either:

• a copy of approval certificate to UN Regulation No. 154
• the type approval certificate (including addendum) issued by the authority approving the vehicle to Regulation (EC) No 715/2007

Maximum speed

To allow safe use on trunk roads and motorways, cars must be able to travel at a speed of at least 60mph (96km/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 actually achieving a maximum speed of 60mph (96km/h) in service, then the applicant will need to pay for the vehicle to be assessed in accordance with the technical requirements of UN Regulation No. 68 to address those concerns. The Secretary of State for Transport reserves the right to impose this requirement on all applications throughout the lifetime of the scheme.

Accepted evidence

You can demonstrate this requirement via one of these methods.

Method 1

Provide all of the following:

• a copy of either EU whole vehicle type approval certificate or GB whole vehicle type approval certificate
• a copy of the publicly available specification of the vehicle stating that the vehicle has a top speed of 60mph (96km/h) or greater

Method 2

Provide a signed statement of vehicle maximum speed 60mph (96km/h) or greater, stating that this value will be made publicly available.

Method 3

Provide either:

• a copy of an approval certificate for UN Regulation No. 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 UN Regulation No. 68

Warranty for the vehicle

The vehicle (excluding the battery or fuel cell and electric drive train must be covered by a warranty for a minimum period of three years or 60,000 miles (96,000km), whichever comes sooner. The warranty must be in line with the directive providing guidance on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees in EU Directive 1999/44/EC.

‘Drive train’ is used to mean the parts that send power from the engine to the wheels. These include the clutch, transmission (gear box), drive shafts, U-joints and differential.

Accepted evidence

A copy of the warranty document showing that the above requirements have been met. If the warranty document is not available at the point of application, the applicant may submit written confirmation that the vehicle will be offered with a warranty that meets the above specification. However, before any vehicles can be sold and supported under the scheme, we will require a copy of the warranty document.

Warranty for the battery or fuel cell

The battery or fuel cell and electric drive train must be covered by a warranty for a minimum period of eight years, or 100,000 miles (160,000km), whichever comes sooner. In respect of any traction battery, a replacement must be provided if it falls below 70% capacity during the first eight years. The warranty must be in line with the directive providing guidance on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees in EU Directive 1999/44/EC.

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.

Accepted evidence

A copy of the warranty document showing that the above requirements have been met. If the warranty document is not available at the point of application, the applicant may submit written confirmation that the vehicle will be offered with a warranty that meets the above specification. However, before any vehicles can be sold and supported under the scheme, we will require a copy of the warranty document.

DfT does not intend to dictate the precise terms of the warranty to be provided by applicants to consumers. It is anticipated that the full extent of the warranty provided by applicants will to a significant extent be determined by market forces and it is anticipated that it will prove to be a key differential selling point for vehicles of this type.

DfT does, however, reserve the right to disqualify an applicant’s application for a grant under the scheme should it regard the terms of the warranty being offered by the applicant as failing to meet the minimum criteria required by DfT. In addition, the applicant must be able to satisfy DfT that it is able to fulfil the terms of the warranty being offered by it. 

With respect to the warranty requirement, in order to qualify for a grant under the ECG, the applicant must as a minimum requirement provide the following to the consumer.

A warranty of at least 3 years or 60,000 miles (96,000km), whichever is reached first, from the date of transfer of ownership to the consumer, regarding the vehicle excluding the battery or fuel cell and electric drive train. For avoidance of doubt, the warranty should cover all equipment supplied with the vehicle, including the charge cable. External equipment installed in the customers’ home, for example charging units, does not need to be covered by the vehicle warranty. 

And a warranty of at least 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000km), whichever comes sooner, from the date of transfer of ownership to the consumer regarding the battery or fuel cell and electric drive train of the vehicle. In respect of any traction battery, the warranty must provide for replacement of the battery if it falls below 70% capacity during the first 8 years. In respect of the fuel cell the fuel stack must maintain at least 90% of its rated voltage output for the initial 5 years. Given the newness of this technology, we are prepared to work with manufacturers who supply alternative evidence which provides what the VCA judges to be a reasonable level of reassurance to the consumer.  

In addition, the applicant must offer to the consumer the option of extending the warranty regarding the battery and electric drive train of the vehicle by a further 2 years. The applicant may choose to attach an additional cost to this warranty extension. 

The applicant must guarantee to the consumer that the battery or fuel cell and electric drive train of the vehicle will retain a reasonable degree of performance for the period of the warranty. 

In the event of a fault or deficiency in performance being found in the battery or full cell or electric drive train of the vehicle, the applicant must undertake to repair or replace defective parts free of charge. ‘Free of charge’ in this context refers to the necessary costs incurred including, for the avoidance of doubt, the cost of postage, labour and materials. 

The applicant may, however, limit its liability under the warranty or thereafter for any fault or deficiency in performance of the battery or fuel cell or electric drive train of the vehicle to the extent that such fault or deficiency in performance arises from normal wear and tear or the negligence, improper use, faulty storage, insufficient care or modification of the vehicle by the consumer, its servants or agents. 

The warranty must be transferable to the consumer’s successors in title to the vehicle.

Battery or fuel cell 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, pending the evidence presented in each case, an acceptable level of degradation is defined as follows.

Battery electric vehicles

The battery must maintain at least 80% of its initial rated charge capacity for the initial 3 years, and at least 70% of initial rated charge capacity for the initial 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

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 this technology, we are prepared to work with manufacturers who supply alternative evidence which provides what the VCA judges to be a reasonable level of reassurance to the consumer.

Accepted evidence

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

See the section of this guidance on preparing battery degradation evidence.

Crash safety

Vehicles must demonstrate that they meet the minimum safety requirements of the ECG scheme.

There are 2 routes to demonstrate compliance.

1. Type-approval to M1 category requirements through unlimited series whole vehicle type approval (WVTA; not including Small Series or National Approval routes).

2. Evidence that the car demonstrates a comparable or higher level of safety as judged by international standards. This may be evidence of crash testing for internationally recognised consumer information programmes, such as Euro NCAP, but must cover front impact, side impact and pedestrian protection.

Accepted evidence

Acceptable evidence for this criterion is one of the following.

1. A copy of the whole vehicle type approval certificate for the vehicle the ECG application relates to.

2. Evidence to show the car has been crash tested to international standards and/or consumer information programmes where the outcome shows broadly comparable or higher levels of performance to those specified in whole vehicle type approval crash tests. This must include frontal, side and pedestrian impact. The evidence provided may be assessed by independent technical experts.

Electrical safety

As a minimum, for a vehicle to be eligible for the scheme, it needs to show approval to at least the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 100.

Accepted Evidence:

A copy of the type approval certificate to UN Regulation No. 100.02 or later series.

Further electrical safety

The applicant must also provide evidence of action taken to mitigate electrical safety risks not covered by UN Regulation No. 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.

The applicant should also demonstrate their commitment to consumer safety by submitting documentation with the vehicle that explains the safe operation and charging of the vehicle.

Where it is felt that the applicant has taken insufficient measures, the VCA reserves the right to reject the application and/or stipulate that the applicant undertakes certain additional measures before the vehicle can be deemed eligible.

Accepted Evidence

You must supply all of the following.

Blueprints/information to emergency services on how to correctly deal with an incident involving the relevant vehicle – where battery is located/which wires to cut.

A minimum of one of the following as evidence of commitment to consumer safety:

• 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 wiring
• advice on how to install a dedicated home charging unit, with details of potential companies who 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

Descriptions of the action taken and planned by you, as the vehicle manufacturer, to identify and mitigate electrical safety risks not covered by Regulation 100. Provide documentation to cover all points:

• what voltage and amperage requirement will be needed to safely charge the EV in domestic properties
• what electrical safety advice will be provided to the purchaser
• how the actions of the applicant will ensure compliance with the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC
• 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 of the process by which you will ensure that the necessary equipment has been provided and/or circuits safely installed by the time of delivery of the car to the consumer.

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 that will be provided to the consumer to explain the safe operation and refuelling of the vehicle.

The following are examples of best practice for providing evidence:

• 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 to Regulation (EC) 79/2009 AND,

Descriptions of the action taken, and planned, by the applicant to identify and mitigate hydrogen safety risks not covered by Regulation (EC) 79/2009. AND,

Blueprints/information to emergency services on how to correctly deal with an incident involving the relevant vehicle – where fuel cell is and how it should be treated.

Environmental criteria

Science Based Targets

Vehicle manufacturers must evidence that the company producing the vehicle holds a Science Based Target that has been verified by the Science Based Target Initiative. The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is an independent body that assesses corporate sustainability plans, in line with the UK’s international climate commitments. Under this initiative manufacturers can set their own overall decarbonisation targets. These evidence-based targets are then validated by independent experts from the SBTi.

The target must be either the near-term status, the net-zero status, or both. Any vehicle made by a company that does not hold a verified Science Based Target will not be eligible for the ECG.

Accepted evidence

Provide one of the following:

• a Science Based Target certificate, provided by the Science Based Target Initiative, for the company manufacturing the vehicle the application(s) relates to
• an entry on the Science Based Targets Initiative online dashboard

If the applicant is part of a joint venture, the Science Based Target certificate must relate to the company that is the majority owner (>50%) of the joint venture. That is, the majority owner company must hold a verified Science Based Target.

In situations where the joint venture is split 50/50, both companies must have committed to a Science Based Target. In these situations, 2 Science Based Target certificates must be supplied as evidence, one for each of the companies in the joint venture.

Vehicle assembly location

Applications must provide evidence of which country the vehicle is assembled in.

Vehicle assembly refers to the process of attaching the powertrain to the chassis of the vehicle. You should supply the country in which this part of the manufacturing process occurs. Where the vehicle assembly, beyond attaching the power train to the chassis, is finalised elsewhere, the manufacturer should indicate this on their application form and provide further details.

This will contribute to the environmental score given to the vehicle, which determines the grant banding it receives.

The vehicle assembly emissions account for 30% of the overall environmental score given to the vehicle, reflecting the relative carbon intensity of vehicle assembly to battery production for a zero emission vehicle. 30% is based on derived calculations from work undertaken for the Department for Transport by Ricardo in 2021, analysing the lifecycle emissions of manufacturing, using and disposing of different automotive technologies. These calculations are based on representative vehicle assumptions and do not account for different sizes of vehicles. Lifecycle emissions were assessed for a ‘lower-medium’ segment car.

The representation of vehicle assembly emissions is currently based on International Energy Agency’s (IEA) country-level national electricity generation carbon emissions factors. The IEA is an independent, intergovernmental body created to support governments and industry. It is a reputable source of international energy data.

Factors have been taken for the last complete year of data (2022). Carbon emissions factors represent electricity generation only and include corrections for transmission and distribution losses.

Vehicles assembled in countries with higher carbon intensity in electricity generation (for example, more reliant on fossil fuels or coal) will receive a higher score.

Vehicles assembled in countries with a lower carbon intensity in electricity generation (for example, more reliant on renewables or nuclear) will receive a lower score.

Accepted evidence

Confirm which country vehicle assembly happens in.

DfT will conduct due diligence checks on the country of vehicle assembly.

The vehicle identification number (VIN) of a vehicle should contain the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) code of the location where the vehicle was assembled. Manufacturers must provide a certificate of conformity (CoCs) or individual vehicle approval certificates (IVACs) to support their application as part of their application. Further CoCs or IVACs may be requested as part of the application process.

Where a vehicle assembly for the same model can take place in multiple locations, the manufacturer must provide CoCs or IVACs for each. Where CoCs or IVACs are not available, the manufacturer should identify which WMI code they believe will be used for the model, which will be subject to auditing once CoCs and IVACs are available. Failure to provide correct information may result in access to the grant being withdrawn.

Where a manufacturer believes that the WMI does not accurately represent where the vehicle was assembled as per the definition above, they will be required to provide further evidence supporting this. This will be requested on a case-by-case basis.

Battery production location

Applications must provide evidence of the country in which vehicle battery production occurs. Battery production refers to the process of cell production, defined as the location where active electrode materials are encased together. You should supply the country in which this part of the manufacturing process occurs.

This will contribute to the environmental score given to the vehicle, which determines the grant banding it receives.

The emissions from battery production account for 70% of the overall environmental score given to the vehicle, reflecting the relative carbon intensity of battery production to vehicle assembly for a zero emission vehicle. 70% is based on derived calculations from work undertaken for the Department for Transport by Ricardo in 2021, analysing the lifecycle emissions of manufacturing, using and disposing of different automotive technologies.

These calculations are based on representative vehicle assumptions and do not account for different sizes of vehicles. Lifecycle emissions were assessed for a ‘lower-medium’ segment car.

As with the assessment of vehicle assembly, the representation of battery production emissions is currently based on International Energy Agency’s (IEA) country-level national electricity generation carbon emissions factors. The IEA is an independent, intergovernmental body created to support governments and industry. It is a reputable source of international energy data.

Factors have been taken for the last complete year of data (2022). Carbon emissions factors represent electricity generation only and include corrections for transmission and distribution losses. 

Battery production in countries with higher carbon intensity in electricity generation (for example, more reliant on fossil fuels or coal) will receive a higher score.

Battery production in countries with a lower carbon intensity in electricity generation (for example, more reliant on renewables or nuclear) will receive a lower score.

Accepted evidence

Confirm the country that battery production occurs in. Battery assembly refers to the process of cell production, defined as the location where active electrode materials are encased together.

DfT will conduct due diligence checks on the country of battery production.

Whilst this part of the application does not have a mandatory form of evidence to be provided to demonstrate the country of battery production, manufacturers may choose to submit such evidence as they consider appropriate that may support DfT in reaching a quicker determination.

Where a manufacturer believes that the process defined as battery production takes place over two or more sites in different countries, manufacturers should state this as part of the evidence in their application, and provide further details, as appropriate. The case will be reviewed, and assignation of the appropriate carbon emissions factor will be conducted on a case-by-case basis.

The environmental criteria outlined above will be subject to review across the grant’s operation.

Preparing battery degradation evidence

Similar guidance will be supplied on preparing fuel cell degradation evidence as more fuel cell vehicles come to market.

The battery degradation requirement can be met in 1 of 3 ways.

1. Warranty terms that explicitly cover the battery against unreasonable degradation. For battery electric vehicles we define a reasonable level of degradation as maintaining at least 80% of its initial or rated charge capacity for the initial 3 years, or 70% of initial capacity for the initial 5 years. 

2. Actual data from tests undertaken on an appropriate sample of batteries that have been in service for a period of three or more years, showing that they have not degraded unreasonably.

3. Written assurance from the applicant that the battery will offer a reasonable performance, comparable with or better than the rates of degradation specified in requirement 3.6. The applicant must provide evidence to support their assurance.

In cases where the applicant is seeking approval via route 3, the evidence provided may be in the form of illustrative evidence of the degradation rate under certain conditions, such as under an accelerated testing regime, together with a supporting explanation of the way in which this evidence demonstrates long term maintenance of the performance.

The VCA may consider the following elements as indicators of quality sufficient to offer reasonable performance during normal use. In this context, they will consider what is appropriate to the vehicle and range/performance stated by the manufacturer. The applicant may wish to identify the possible failure modes and mitigating actions that have been taken.

As a guide to the level of detail expected, we would not expect the evidence submitted to require more than 10 pages. Annexes can be provided if desired. The VCA and/or supporting independent technical experts may request additional information to inform assessment of the application.

For battery electric vehicles we define a reasonable level of degradation as maintaining at least 80% of its initial or rated charge capacity for the initial 3 years, or 70% of initial capacity for the initial 5 years.

These are the types of indicators or factors which the VCA will take into account when assessing this evidence.

Battery cell

Data at the cell level can include the published test data of cell manufacturers.

Transportation

Conforms to UN transport standard ST/SG/AC.10/27.

Cycling tests

Provide appropriate evidence, to represent the final application of:

• C-rating
• depth of discharge
• influence of temperature on characteristics

Self discharge rates

Values and method of establishing them.

Impedance

Measurement method and evolution with both elapsed time and use.

Capacity

Measurement method and evolution with both elapsed time and use.

Battery pack

Evidence needs to clearly show how the cells have been combined to produce performance in a battery pack that meets the stated specification.

Mechanical integrity

Resistance to stresses caused by dimensional changes of cells in operation.

What vibration, strength and damage testing has been performed?

Strategy for preventing and containing effects of cell failures.

Thermal integrity

Provide a summary of your thermal management strategy and how it is achieved, such as for example cell-to-cell temperature variation and overall pack temperature control.

Cycling tests

Are the tests appropriate to the claimed usage of the vehicle?

Are the cycling profiles, ratings and temperatures of the tests appropriate?

Environmental resistance

What is the IP rating of the pack?

Resistance to dusts and liquid and gaseous contaminants.

Resistance to extremes of temperature.

Battery management system (BMS)

How does the BMS ensure that the individual cells are not required to operate outside of its specification?

Vehicle

The integration of a battery pack into the operational context of a vehicle can impact on the battery degradation rate. How has this been considered by the manufacturer? In addition to the points below, the issues considered at the pack level should also be addressed at the vehicle level.

Battery management system

How does the BMS ensure that the battery pack is not required to operate outside of its specification?

Thermal integrity

What cooling strategy has been put in place to support the operation of the battery in the UK environment?

Onboard diagnostics

What error and information messages will be provided to the driver on the status of the battery?

What error messages will be recorded for maintenance?

Dirt, dust, water ingress and mechanical stress

What measures have been taken to assess and control these factors?

Fire performance

Is there a report that confirms appropriate testing has been carried out?