Electric vehicles incentives for business
In this guide:
- Zero emission vehicles and alternative fuels
- Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
- Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
- End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
- Advantages of electric vehicles for business
- Charging your business electric vehicles
- Electric vehicles incentives for business
- Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
- Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
- How to produce your own biofuel
- Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
How reducing vehicle emissions can benefit your business by reducing costs and improving your environmental performance.
Limiting your vehicle emissions can help you to reduce your environmental impact and benefit your business.
Emissions from vehicle exhausts are a significant source of air pollutants including:
- CO2
- carbon monoxide
- fine dust particles
- nitrogen oxides
- unburnt hydrocarbons
You should try to limit the emissions that your business vehicles produce as they may:
- lead to ill health, such as respiratory problems, among your staff and the public
- cause a nuisance to your neighbours
- contribute to roadside levels of pollution in urban centres
- contribute to climate change
You can also reduce your transport costs, such as fuel bills and vehicle tax, by choosing vehicles that are more environmentally friendly and using them more efficiently.
Financial savings
By using vehicles more efficiently you can make significant financial savings through:
- reduced fuel costs
- less wear and tear and maintenance costs
- using your employees' time more efficiently
- finding new uses for land previously used for parking
Improved business image
Reducing your environmental impact can help to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
Awareness of environmental issues is growing, and customers, investors and other stakeholders increasingly prefer to deal with businesses that have good environmental credentials. Having environmental policies and procedures in place is likely to be viewed positively and can also help you win contracts when you tender for business.
Employee benefits
Educating your employees about the environmental impacts of transport and encouraging them to walk, cycle or use public transport for commuting and business travel can benefit their health and finances. It may also contribute to reduced sickness absence, increased staff retention and improved local air quality.
A cost-effective way for you to put these policies in place is to draw up a workplace travel plan.
Training your employees to drive safely and efficiently and to maintain vehicles can help reduce vehicle emissions and the number of work-related road incidents. Employees also benefit from a cleaner and safer environment and save money if they drive work vehicles more efficiently.
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Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
Help to help tackle environmental issues and save money for your business by changing your distribution methods.
Rethinking your logistics - the planning and implementation of moving goods and supplying services - can help you reduce your environmental impact.
If your business transports either your own or another organisation's freight, improving your systems may benefit your business and reduce your impact on the environment.
Sustainable logistics
If your business is making and receiving deliveries to and from a warehouse, it might make sense to have one central distribution centre. This could be cost-effective and has less environmental impact than a dispersed distribution system.
To reduce your carbon footprint further you should also consider the journeys that suppliers of goods and services make to and from your premises. You could aim to use local businesses where possible and check out your suppliers' environmental credentials by asking to see their environmental reports and policies - see supply chain efficiency and environmental impact.
Reducing fuel use
Fuel can account for at least 30 per cent of operating costs of most road freight transport operations, so you should start by improving fuel management. The most basic way to reduce fuel bills and lowers accident rates is by driving more efficiently. More efficient driving can produce around 15 per cent reduction in fuel use and CO2 emissions, and increase electric vehicles range by 20 per cent.
You can find information and resources to help your business lower its costs, while reducing the carbon emissions from your organisation’s vehicles and employee travel with the Energy Saving Trust.
By sourcing blends of renewable fuel you can reduce the carbon intensity of your fleet. Operators can get independent assurance of purchasing sustainable, low carbon fuels approved under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), and customer supply chain specific greenhouse gas emission performance data through the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.
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End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
Pathway for decarbonisation of cars, vans and HGVs in the UK with key dates for ending petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
Vehicle emissions are one of the biggest drivers of climate change. The mass adoption of zero emission vehicles can help deliver carbon reductions, improve air quality and grow the green economy.
The United Kingdom government has committed to a pathway for the decarbonisation of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to help businesses to plan for the transition over several years.
Cars and vans decarbonisation dates
The UK government has set out a path for all new cars and vans sold to be zero emission by 2035.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission cars and vans.
HGVs decarbonisation dates
A two phase approach to decarbonising HGVs is being adopted by the UK government:
- The phase-out of non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035.
- All new HGVs sold in the UK will be zero emission by 2040.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission HGVs.
Buses, coaches and minibuses decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in spring 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
L-category vehicles decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in summer 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles – for example, mopeds, motorcycles, powered tricycles and quadricycles.
DfT is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles.
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Advantages of electric vehicles for business
What electric cars and vans can offer to businesses by reducing costs and boosting your environmental reputation
Electric vehicles offer a great reduction in transport costs for businesses, especially for fleet vehicles with regular journeys of up to 100 miles per day. Although electric vehicles can be more expensive to buy, they have significantly lower running costs when compared to petrol or diesel equivalents.
It can cost as little as 2 pence a mile to run an electric vehicle when charging on off-peak electricity. This is compared to over 20 pence per mile for petrol and diesel, representing a huge saving on fuel costs.
There are a series of financial incentives for businesses, including tax and duty exemptions for you and your employees and capital allowances.
Moving to use electric vehicles gives businesses the chance to become involved in innovative transport developments which are addressing environmental issues. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. It is estimated that an electric car powered by today's grid could emit between 15 per cent and 40 per cent less CO2 over its lifetime than a similar-sized petrol car.
Setting environmental concerns at the heart of your business can be a key part of demonstrating your corporate social responsibility.
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Charging your business electric vehicles
Public and private charging networks and the process and incentives for installing charge points at your business.
Electric vehicles work well for regular short to medium journeys. The growth of rapid charging infrastructure is enabling businesses to use electric vehicles (EVs) for longer journeys. This makes EVs a realistic transport option for many businesses operating within Northern Ireland.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has been installing public charging points across NI. This network enables EV users to charge at various points during longer journeys. Knowing where the public charging points are sited can help with a decision to invest in an EV. There is also financial support for the installation of certain types of private charging points.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.
The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.
The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant, eg if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site
Find out more about private charge point support.
Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for business staff and fleet car parks
EV infrastructure grants can give small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets.
The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts.
The grant covers 75 per cent of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of £15,000. You can get up to:
- £350 per chargepoint socket installed
- £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure
You can receive up to five grants across five different sites.
Find out more about the chargepoint and infrastructure grant for business staff and fleet car parks.
Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for landlords, including car parks
There are two grants you can get for installing chargepoints for electric vehicles at a property you own.
1. Electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint grant
An EV chargepoint grant gives you money off the cost of installing an electric vehicle chargepoint socket.
You can get 75 per cent off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350 per socket.
You can receive up to 200 grants a year for residential properties, and a further 100 for commercial properties.
2. Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant (You cannot apply for the infrastructure grant if you’re a commercial landlord)
An EV infrastructure grant gives you money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets. The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts.
You can get 75 per cent off the cost of the work up to a maximum of £30,000. The amount depends on how many parking spaces the work covers.
You can get up to:
- £350 per chargepoint socket installed
- £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure
You can receive up to 30 grants each financial year for installing infrastructure in residential carparks.
Find out more about chargepoint and infrastructure grant for landlords, including car parks.
Public rapid charge points
Rapid charge points are 50kW outlets - these can charge capable vehicles up to 80 per cent in around 20 to 25 minutes. These are located in petrol stations and on key strategic routes around Northern Ireland.
Public fast charge points
Fast charge points are 22kW double-headed outlets able to charge two vehicles at the same time. They are located in shopping centres, car parks, on-street, tourist attractions and other locations where electric vehicle drivers tend to park regularly. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, they charge within one to six hours.
You can find a map of all electric vehicle public charge points across the island of Ireland.
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Electric vehicles incentives for business
Financial and other incentives for businesses when investing in different types of electric vehicles.
Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, however purchase costs for many electric cars and vans are still more expensive than some equivalent petrol and diesel vehicles. While the ongoing running costs are highly attractive to businesses, the initial investment costs of electric vehicles can be significant. Your business may be eligible for grants and other support to make electric vehicles an easier choice.
Grant for electric cars
The plug-in car grant scheme closed to new orders on 14 June 2022.
The scheme supported the creation of a mature market in the United Kingdom, helping to increase the sales of fully electric cars from less than 1,000 in 2011 to almost 100,000 in the first five months of 2022 alone. Due to this, the UK government is now refocusing funding towards the main barriers to the electric vehicle transition, including public charging and supporting the purchase of other road vehicles where the switch to electric requires further development.
Grant for electric vans
Grants are available of up to £5,000 for large vans and £2,500 for small vans, with a limit of 1,000 per customer per year.
Find out more about the types of van eligible for a plug-in grant.
It’s not only vans which can attract a plug-in grant - the eligible categories are:
- wheelchair accessible vehicles
- motorcycles
- mopeds
- small vans
- large vans
- taxis
- trucks
Not all low-emission vehicles will get a grant. Only vehicles that have been approved by the government are eligible for a grant. Find out more about the grants, specific vehicle types and eligibility information.
Tax incentives for electric vehicles
Owning or operating an electric vehicle can attract various tax benefits, including exemptions from:
- fuel duty
- vehicle excise duty
- company car tax
- van benefit charge
- fuel benefit charge
Tax incentives for electric vehicles can save drivers over £2,000 a year.
You can claim capital allowances for a business electric car or van - see capital allowances.
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Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell technology benefits to your business in reduced fuel costs and lower transport emissions.
The United Kingdom government has identified the potential for hydrogen to play a significant role in the decarbonisation of transport.
Greenhouse gas emissions savings of between 10 per cent (compared with a diesel HGV) and around 43 per cent (compared with a petrol car) are possible with hydrogen-powered transport.
Hydrogen is likely to be most effective in transport in areas ‘that batteries cannot reach’, where energy density requirements or duty cycles, weight and volume restrictions and refuelling times make it the most suitable green energy source.
Benefits of hydrogen vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have zero tailpipe emissions. FCEVs use electric motors to drive the wheels, but store energy on-board as compressed hydrogen, rather than just in a battery. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air in an on-board fuel cell to produce electricity. Water is the only by-product.
While no greenhouse gas or air pollutant emissions are produced by FCEVs themselves, like battery electric vehicles (BEVs), their well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions depend on the method of energy production.
FCEVs have had two advantages over BEVs:
- fast refuelling with high pressure hydrogen
- longer range
While BEV techology is gaining ground in these two areas, in the long term hydrogen vehicle technologies may be well suited to use in HGVs and by fleet operators - find out more about hydrogen fuel cell technology.
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Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
What types of transport biofuels are available and where your business can buy them in Northern Ireland.
Transport biofuels are a renewable alternative to limited resources of fossil fuels. They can be liquid or gas and can help to reduce your business transport emissions.
Biofuels are produced from energy crops or organic waste. Vehicle carbon emissions from biofuel combustion are classed as zero because carbon dioxide has been used in plant growth, creating a closed loop in the carbon cycle.
The overall impact that biofuels have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will depend on where they come from and the way they are produced.
Biofuels are currently blended with conventional petrol, diesel and natural gas in the Northern Ireland. Only some biofuels are commercially available in Northern Ireland for use in vehicles.
Biodiesel and bioethanol
Biodiesel is a substitute fuel produced for diesel engines. It is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil crops, for example rapeseed or soybean. You can also make biodiesel from waste cooking oils. It doesn't contain petroleum and is biodegradable.
Bioethanol is a renewable fuel used as a petrol substitute for vehicles. It is made from starches or sugar, for example corn or sugar cane. It is biodegradable and less toxic and explosive than petrol.
Most of the fuel you buy at petrol stations will already have some biodiesel or bioethanol added to it. Large fuel suppliers have increased the amount of biofuel content in their fuel each year and standard pump fuel in Northern Ireland now contains 10 per cent biodiesel or bioethanol (E10). E5 is now only available as "Premium blend".
You can buy fuel with a higher concentration of biodiesel and bioethanol at some outlets. You should contact your vehicle manufacturer before using a higher blend as it could affect engine performance and warranty if your engine is not modified.
You should only use biodiesel that conforms to the recognised European quality standard EN14214 and meets the current diesel specification EN590.
Biogas
Biogas is a renewable fuel made from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, such as municipal or food wastes. The main component of biogas is methane. Biogas can be purified to produce liquid biomethane (LBM), which can be used as a vehicle fuel. You can also purify landfill gas to produce biomethane.
Biomethane can be stored as a compressed gas for road vehicles. Any vehicle that can operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) can run on LBM.
If you want to use other biofuels, for example biogas, you will need to consider installing your own refuelling facilities.
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How to produce your own biofuel
How to make your own bioethanol, biogas or biodiesel safely and manage any hazardous raw materials and waste.
You may need a pollution prevention and control permit or waste management licence if you produce your own bioethanol or biogas.
How to produce bioethanol
You can make bioethanol fuel from a variety of sugar and starch-rich materials, mainly by fermentation and distillation. It can also be produced by the reaction of ethylene with steam.
When you produce bioethanol, the by-product is a residue called dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). DDGS are classified as a by-product and not a waste if they are used without further processing, either as animal feed or as a fuel. Waste management controls will not apply to your DDGS if you meet these requirements, for example you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
How to produce biogas
Biogas can be produced from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, including municipal or food wastes. The biodegradable material is turned into a gas by anaerobic digestion, using bacteria to break down the organic matter without oxygen in specially designed digesters.
You can then upgrade the biogas, for example using a membrane separation technique, to remove the CO2 and impurities and produce biomethane. You can use biomethane as a vehicle fuel.
The solid waste from anaerobic digestion is called digestate and it can be used in a similar way to compost.
If you follow the quality protocol for anaerobic digestate from biodegradable wastes you can produce a high quality digestate which can be sold without waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
If you don't achieve the standards in the quality protocol then you must follow waste management controls when you handle, transport or apply the digestate.
How to produce biodiesel
There are two ways of producing biodiesel using waste or virgin vegetable oil:
- Chemical production using transesterification - where the oil is heated, filtered and combined with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst. The mixture will separate producing biodiesel and a by-product, glycerol.
- Physical production - where the oil is heated to melt the fat and remove water. It is then filtered and blended with hydrocarbons to alter the cetane rating (how easily a fuel ignites and how fast it will burn).
If you follow the quality protocol for biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats you can produce a high-quality biodiesel which you can sell without following waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note, making it easier to sell your biodiesel.
Find out more about the rules and standards for producing your own biodiesel.
Quality standards for biofuels
You must meet quality standards to sell your fuel in countries within the European Union. These standards apply to biofuel and blends containing biofuel. For example, the standard EN14214 specifies the requirements and test methods for biodiesel produced for use in diesel engines.
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Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
When you may need a registration, licence or exemption when producing biofuels for your business in Northern Ireland.
If you want to produce biofuel for commercial or personal use, you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or waste management licence. This will depend on how much biofuel you want to make and the method you use.
Check if you need a biofuel permit or licence
If you produce biodiesel or bioethanol by chemical means from waste or virgin vegetable oils you will require:
- a PPC permit if you make more than 5,000 litres per year
- a waste management licence if you make less than 5,000 litres per year
If you produce small amounts of biodiesel by physical means you may also require a waste management licence. You will need a waste management licence if you make more than 100 litres per batch for business or personal use.
Biofuels from anaerobic digestion of waste
If you produce biogas from the anaerobic digestion of waste you must also have a PPC permit or waste management licence.
Biofuels from animal by-products
If you produce biodiesel from waste edible fats and oils of animal origin that are not catering waste, you will also be subject to any relevant controls under animal by-product legislation.
For example, if you produce biodiesel using cooking oil from a food manufacturer or fat from animal by-products, your treatment operations will need approval from the Divisional Veterinary Office.
Check if your biofuel activities are low impact
If you produce biodiesel by chemical means and need a PPC permit, your activity may be considered to be low impact. If you meet the criteria set out in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) guidance you may be eligible for a low impact installation (LII) permit. The fees and charges you pay will be less to reflect the lower environmental impact.
For guidance on whether an installation can be classified as low impact, contact the NIEA Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate Helpline on Tel 028 9056 9299 or email ipri@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Follow rules to store waste cooking oil
You may need a waste management licence to store waste cooking oil. If you store more than 1,000 litres of waste cooking oil at any one time you will need a licence.
You must always store your used cooking oil within a suitable secondary containment system, for example a bund.
Follow rules for collecting waste vegetable oil
If you collect and transport waste vegetable oil, for example used cooking oil, for the production of biodiesel then you will need to be a registered waste carrier and follow your duty of care for waste.
Biofuels and REACH regulation
Manufacturers or importers of biofuels in Northern Ireland may need to register those substances when they are manufactured or imported in quantities of one tonne or more per year - find more guidance on REACH and biodiesel.
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Charging your business electric vehicles
In this guide:
- Zero emission vehicles and alternative fuels
- Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
- Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
- End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
- Advantages of electric vehicles for business
- Charging your business electric vehicles
- Electric vehicles incentives for business
- Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
- Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
- How to produce your own biofuel
- Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
How reducing vehicle emissions can benefit your business by reducing costs and improving your environmental performance.
Limiting your vehicle emissions can help you to reduce your environmental impact and benefit your business.
Emissions from vehicle exhausts are a significant source of air pollutants including:
- CO2
- carbon monoxide
- fine dust particles
- nitrogen oxides
- unburnt hydrocarbons
You should try to limit the emissions that your business vehicles produce as they may:
- lead to ill health, such as respiratory problems, among your staff and the public
- cause a nuisance to your neighbours
- contribute to roadside levels of pollution in urban centres
- contribute to climate change
You can also reduce your transport costs, such as fuel bills and vehicle tax, by choosing vehicles that are more environmentally friendly and using them more efficiently.
Financial savings
By using vehicles more efficiently you can make significant financial savings through:
- reduced fuel costs
- less wear and tear and maintenance costs
- using your employees' time more efficiently
- finding new uses for land previously used for parking
Improved business image
Reducing your environmental impact can help to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
Awareness of environmental issues is growing, and customers, investors and other stakeholders increasingly prefer to deal with businesses that have good environmental credentials. Having environmental policies and procedures in place is likely to be viewed positively and can also help you win contracts when you tender for business.
Employee benefits
Educating your employees about the environmental impacts of transport and encouraging them to walk, cycle or use public transport for commuting and business travel can benefit their health and finances. It may also contribute to reduced sickness absence, increased staff retention and improved local air quality.
A cost-effective way for you to put these policies in place is to draw up a workplace travel plan.
Training your employees to drive safely and efficiently and to maintain vehicles can help reduce vehicle emissions and the number of work-related road incidents. Employees also benefit from a cleaner and safer environment and save money if they drive work vehicles more efficiently.
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Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
Help to help tackle environmental issues and save money for your business by changing your distribution methods.
Rethinking your logistics - the planning and implementation of moving goods and supplying services - can help you reduce your environmental impact.
If your business transports either your own or another organisation's freight, improving your systems may benefit your business and reduce your impact on the environment.
Sustainable logistics
If your business is making and receiving deliveries to and from a warehouse, it might make sense to have one central distribution centre. This could be cost-effective and has less environmental impact than a dispersed distribution system.
To reduce your carbon footprint further you should also consider the journeys that suppliers of goods and services make to and from your premises. You could aim to use local businesses where possible and check out your suppliers' environmental credentials by asking to see their environmental reports and policies - see supply chain efficiency and environmental impact.
Reducing fuel use
Fuel can account for at least 30 per cent of operating costs of most road freight transport operations, so you should start by improving fuel management. The most basic way to reduce fuel bills and lowers accident rates is by driving more efficiently. More efficient driving can produce around 15 per cent reduction in fuel use and CO2 emissions, and increase electric vehicles range by 20 per cent.
You can find information and resources to help your business lower its costs, while reducing the carbon emissions from your organisation’s vehicles and employee travel with the Energy Saving Trust.
By sourcing blends of renewable fuel you can reduce the carbon intensity of your fleet. Operators can get independent assurance of purchasing sustainable, low carbon fuels approved under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), and customer supply chain specific greenhouse gas emission performance data through the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.
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End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
Pathway for decarbonisation of cars, vans and HGVs in the UK with key dates for ending petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
Vehicle emissions are one of the biggest drivers of climate change. The mass adoption of zero emission vehicles can help deliver carbon reductions, improve air quality and grow the green economy.
The United Kingdom government has committed to a pathway for the decarbonisation of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to help businesses to plan for the transition over several years.
Cars and vans decarbonisation dates
The UK government has set out a path for all new cars and vans sold to be zero emission by 2035.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission cars and vans.
HGVs decarbonisation dates
A two phase approach to decarbonising HGVs is being adopted by the UK government:
- The phase-out of non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035.
- All new HGVs sold in the UK will be zero emission by 2040.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission HGVs.
Buses, coaches and minibuses decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in spring 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
L-category vehicles decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in summer 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles – for example, mopeds, motorcycles, powered tricycles and quadricycles.
DfT is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles.
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Advantages of electric vehicles for business
What electric cars and vans can offer to businesses by reducing costs and boosting your environmental reputation
Electric vehicles offer a great reduction in transport costs for businesses, especially for fleet vehicles with regular journeys of up to 100 miles per day. Although electric vehicles can be more expensive to buy, they have significantly lower running costs when compared to petrol or diesel equivalents.
It can cost as little as 2 pence a mile to run an electric vehicle when charging on off-peak electricity. This is compared to over 20 pence per mile for petrol and diesel, representing a huge saving on fuel costs.
There are a series of financial incentives for businesses, including tax and duty exemptions for you and your employees and capital allowances.
Moving to use electric vehicles gives businesses the chance to become involved in innovative transport developments which are addressing environmental issues. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. It is estimated that an electric car powered by today's grid could emit between 15 per cent and 40 per cent less CO2 over its lifetime than a similar-sized petrol car.
Setting environmental concerns at the heart of your business can be a key part of demonstrating your corporate social responsibility.
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Charging your business electric vehicles
Public and private charging networks and the process and incentives for installing charge points at your business.
Electric vehicles work well for regular short to medium journeys. The growth of rapid charging infrastructure is enabling businesses to use electric vehicles (EVs) for longer journeys. This makes EVs a realistic transport option for many businesses operating within Northern Ireland.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has been installing public charging points across NI. This network enables EV users to charge at various points during longer journeys. Knowing where the public charging points are sited can help with a decision to invest in an EV. There is also financial support for the installation of certain types of private charging points.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.
The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.
The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant, eg if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site
Find out more about private charge point support.
Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for business staff and fleet car parks
EV infrastructure grants can give small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets.
The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts.
The grant covers 75 per cent of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of £15,000. You can get up to:
- £350 per chargepoint socket installed
- £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure
You can receive up to five grants across five different sites.
Find out more about the chargepoint and infrastructure grant for business staff and fleet car parks.
Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for landlords, including car parks
There are two grants you can get for installing chargepoints for electric vehicles at a property you own.
1. Electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint grant
An EV chargepoint grant gives you money off the cost of installing an electric vehicle chargepoint socket.
You can get 75 per cent off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350 per socket.
You can receive up to 200 grants a year for residential properties, and a further 100 for commercial properties.
2. Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant (You cannot apply for the infrastructure grant if you’re a commercial landlord)
An EV infrastructure grant gives you money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets. The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts.
You can get 75 per cent off the cost of the work up to a maximum of £30,000. The amount depends on how many parking spaces the work covers.
You can get up to:
- £350 per chargepoint socket installed
- £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure
You can receive up to 30 grants each financial year for installing infrastructure in residential carparks.
Find out more about chargepoint and infrastructure grant for landlords, including car parks.
Public rapid charge points
Rapid charge points are 50kW outlets - these can charge capable vehicles up to 80 per cent in around 20 to 25 minutes. These are located in petrol stations and on key strategic routes around Northern Ireland.
Public fast charge points
Fast charge points are 22kW double-headed outlets able to charge two vehicles at the same time. They are located in shopping centres, car parks, on-street, tourist attractions and other locations where electric vehicle drivers tend to park regularly. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, they charge within one to six hours.
You can find a map of all electric vehicle public charge points across the island of Ireland.
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Electric vehicles incentives for business
Financial and other incentives for businesses when investing in different types of electric vehicles.
Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, however purchase costs for many electric cars and vans are still more expensive than some equivalent petrol and diesel vehicles. While the ongoing running costs are highly attractive to businesses, the initial investment costs of electric vehicles can be significant. Your business may be eligible for grants and other support to make electric vehicles an easier choice.
Grant for electric cars
The plug-in car grant scheme closed to new orders on 14 June 2022.
The scheme supported the creation of a mature market in the United Kingdom, helping to increase the sales of fully electric cars from less than 1,000 in 2011 to almost 100,000 in the first five months of 2022 alone. Due to this, the UK government is now refocusing funding towards the main barriers to the electric vehicle transition, including public charging and supporting the purchase of other road vehicles where the switch to electric requires further development.
Grant for electric vans
Grants are available of up to £5,000 for large vans and £2,500 for small vans, with a limit of 1,000 per customer per year.
Find out more about the types of van eligible for a plug-in grant.
It’s not only vans which can attract a plug-in grant - the eligible categories are:
- wheelchair accessible vehicles
- motorcycles
- mopeds
- small vans
- large vans
- taxis
- trucks
Not all low-emission vehicles will get a grant. Only vehicles that have been approved by the government are eligible for a grant. Find out more about the grants, specific vehicle types and eligibility information.
Tax incentives for electric vehicles
Owning or operating an electric vehicle can attract various tax benefits, including exemptions from:
- fuel duty
- vehicle excise duty
- company car tax
- van benefit charge
- fuel benefit charge
Tax incentives for electric vehicles can save drivers over £2,000 a year.
You can claim capital allowances for a business electric car or van - see capital allowances.
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Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell technology benefits to your business in reduced fuel costs and lower transport emissions.
The United Kingdom government has identified the potential for hydrogen to play a significant role in the decarbonisation of transport.
Greenhouse gas emissions savings of between 10 per cent (compared with a diesel HGV) and around 43 per cent (compared with a petrol car) are possible with hydrogen-powered transport.
Hydrogen is likely to be most effective in transport in areas ‘that batteries cannot reach’, where energy density requirements or duty cycles, weight and volume restrictions and refuelling times make it the most suitable green energy source.
Benefits of hydrogen vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have zero tailpipe emissions. FCEVs use electric motors to drive the wheels, but store energy on-board as compressed hydrogen, rather than just in a battery. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air in an on-board fuel cell to produce electricity. Water is the only by-product.
While no greenhouse gas or air pollutant emissions are produced by FCEVs themselves, like battery electric vehicles (BEVs), their well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions depend on the method of energy production.
FCEVs have had two advantages over BEVs:
- fast refuelling with high pressure hydrogen
- longer range
While BEV techology is gaining ground in these two areas, in the long term hydrogen vehicle technologies may be well suited to use in HGVs and by fleet operators - find out more about hydrogen fuel cell technology.
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Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
What types of transport biofuels are available and where your business can buy them in Northern Ireland.
Transport biofuels are a renewable alternative to limited resources of fossil fuels. They can be liquid or gas and can help to reduce your business transport emissions.
Biofuels are produced from energy crops or organic waste. Vehicle carbon emissions from biofuel combustion are classed as zero because carbon dioxide has been used in plant growth, creating a closed loop in the carbon cycle.
The overall impact that biofuels have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will depend on where they come from and the way they are produced.
Biofuels are currently blended with conventional petrol, diesel and natural gas in the Northern Ireland. Only some biofuels are commercially available in Northern Ireland for use in vehicles.
Biodiesel and bioethanol
Biodiesel is a substitute fuel produced for diesel engines. It is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil crops, for example rapeseed or soybean. You can also make biodiesel from waste cooking oils. It doesn't contain petroleum and is biodegradable.
Bioethanol is a renewable fuel used as a petrol substitute for vehicles. It is made from starches or sugar, for example corn or sugar cane. It is biodegradable and less toxic and explosive than petrol.
Most of the fuel you buy at petrol stations will already have some biodiesel or bioethanol added to it. Large fuel suppliers have increased the amount of biofuel content in their fuel each year and standard pump fuel in Northern Ireland now contains 10 per cent biodiesel or bioethanol (E10). E5 is now only available as "Premium blend".
You can buy fuel with a higher concentration of biodiesel and bioethanol at some outlets. You should contact your vehicle manufacturer before using a higher blend as it could affect engine performance and warranty if your engine is not modified.
You should only use biodiesel that conforms to the recognised European quality standard EN14214 and meets the current diesel specification EN590.
Biogas
Biogas is a renewable fuel made from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, such as municipal or food wastes. The main component of biogas is methane. Biogas can be purified to produce liquid biomethane (LBM), which can be used as a vehicle fuel. You can also purify landfill gas to produce biomethane.
Biomethane can be stored as a compressed gas for road vehicles. Any vehicle that can operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) can run on LBM.
If you want to use other biofuels, for example biogas, you will need to consider installing your own refuelling facilities.
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How to produce your own biofuel
How to make your own bioethanol, biogas or biodiesel safely and manage any hazardous raw materials and waste.
You may need a pollution prevention and control permit or waste management licence if you produce your own bioethanol or biogas.
How to produce bioethanol
You can make bioethanol fuel from a variety of sugar and starch-rich materials, mainly by fermentation and distillation. It can also be produced by the reaction of ethylene with steam.
When you produce bioethanol, the by-product is a residue called dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). DDGS are classified as a by-product and not a waste if they are used without further processing, either as animal feed or as a fuel. Waste management controls will not apply to your DDGS if you meet these requirements, for example you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
How to produce biogas
Biogas can be produced from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, including municipal or food wastes. The biodegradable material is turned into a gas by anaerobic digestion, using bacteria to break down the organic matter without oxygen in specially designed digesters.
You can then upgrade the biogas, for example using a membrane separation technique, to remove the CO2 and impurities and produce biomethane. You can use biomethane as a vehicle fuel.
The solid waste from anaerobic digestion is called digestate and it can be used in a similar way to compost.
If you follow the quality protocol for anaerobic digestate from biodegradable wastes you can produce a high quality digestate which can be sold without waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
If you don't achieve the standards in the quality protocol then you must follow waste management controls when you handle, transport or apply the digestate.
How to produce biodiesel
There are two ways of producing biodiesel using waste or virgin vegetable oil:
- Chemical production using transesterification - where the oil is heated, filtered and combined with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst. The mixture will separate producing biodiesel and a by-product, glycerol.
- Physical production - where the oil is heated to melt the fat and remove water. It is then filtered and blended with hydrocarbons to alter the cetane rating (how easily a fuel ignites and how fast it will burn).
If you follow the quality protocol for biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats you can produce a high-quality biodiesel which you can sell without following waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note, making it easier to sell your biodiesel.
Find out more about the rules and standards for producing your own biodiesel.
Quality standards for biofuels
You must meet quality standards to sell your fuel in countries within the European Union. These standards apply to biofuel and blends containing biofuel. For example, the standard EN14214 specifies the requirements and test methods for biodiesel produced for use in diesel engines.
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Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
When you may need a registration, licence or exemption when producing biofuels for your business in Northern Ireland.
If you want to produce biofuel for commercial or personal use, you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or waste management licence. This will depend on how much biofuel you want to make and the method you use.
Check if you need a biofuel permit or licence
If you produce biodiesel or bioethanol by chemical means from waste or virgin vegetable oils you will require:
- a PPC permit if you make more than 5,000 litres per year
- a waste management licence if you make less than 5,000 litres per year
If you produce small amounts of biodiesel by physical means you may also require a waste management licence. You will need a waste management licence if you make more than 100 litres per batch for business or personal use.
Biofuels from anaerobic digestion of waste
If you produce biogas from the anaerobic digestion of waste you must also have a PPC permit or waste management licence.
Biofuels from animal by-products
If you produce biodiesel from waste edible fats and oils of animal origin that are not catering waste, you will also be subject to any relevant controls under animal by-product legislation.
For example, if you produce biodiesel using cooking oil from a food manufacturer or fat from animal by-products, your treatment operations will need approval from the Divisional Veterinary Office.
Check if your biofuel activities are low impact
If you produce biodiesel by chemical means and need a PPC permit, your activity may be considered to be low impact. If you meet the criteria set out in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) guidance you may be eligible for a low impact installation (LII) permit. The fees and charges you pay will be less to reflect the lower environmental impact.
For guidance on whether an installation can be classified as low impact, contact the NIEA Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate Helpline on Tel 028 9056 9299 or email ipri@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Follow rules to store waste cooking oil
You may need a waste management licence to store waste cooking oil. If you store more than 1,000 litres of waste cooking oil at any one time you will need a licence.
You must always store your used cooking oil within a suitable secondary containment system, for example a bund.
Follow rules for collecting waste vegetable oil
If you collect and transport waste vegetable oil, for example used cooking oil, for the production of biodiesel then you will need to be a registered waste carrier and follow your duty of care for waste.
Biofuels and REACH regulation
Manufacturers or importers of biofuels in Northern Ireland may need to register those substances when they are manufactured or imported in quantities of one tonne or more per year - find more guidance on REACH and biodiesel.
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Advantages of electric vehicles for business
In this guide:
- Zero emission vehicles and alternative fuels
- Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
- Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
- End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
- Advantages of electric vehicles for business
- Charging your business electric vehicles
- Electric vehicles incentives for business
- Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
- Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
- How to produce your own biofuel
- Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
How reducing vehicle emissions can benefit your business by reducing costs and improving your environmental performance.
Limiting your vehicle emissions can help you to reduce your environmental impact and benefit your business.
Emissions from vehicle exhausts are a significant source of air pollutants including:
- CO2
- carbon monoxide
- fine dust particles
- nitrogen oxides
- unburnt hydrocarbons
You should try to limit the emissions that your business vehicles produce as they may:
- lead to ill health, such as respiratory problems, among your staff and the public
- cause a nuisance to your neighbours
- contribute to roadside levels of pollution in urban centres
- contribute to climate change
You can also reduce your transport costs, such as fuel bills and vehicle tax, by choosing vehicles that are more environmentally friendly and using them more efficiently.
Financial savings
By using vehicles more efficiently you can make significant financial savings through:
- reduced fuel costs
- less wear and tear and maintenance costs
- using your employees' time more efficiently
- finding new uses for land previously used for parking
Improved business image
Reducing your environmental impact can help to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
Awareness of environmental issues is growing, and customers, investors and other stakeholders increasingly prefer to deal with businesses that have good environmental credentials. Having environmental policies and procedures in place is likely to be viewed positively and can also help you win contracts when you tender for business.
Employee benefits
Educating your employees about the environmental impacts of transport and encouraging them to walk, cycle or use public transport for commuting and business travel can benefit their health and finances. It may also contribute to reduced sickness absence, increased staff retention and improved local air quality.
A cost-effective way for you to put these policies in place is to draw up a workplace travel plan.
Training your employees to drive safely and efficiently and to maintain vehicles can help reduce vehicle emissions and the number of work-related road incidents. Employees also benefit from a cleaner and safer environment and save money if they drive work vehicles more efficiently.
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Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
Help to help tackle environmental issues and save money for your business by changing your distribution methods.
Rethinking your logistics - the planning and implementation of moving goods and supplying services - can help you reduce your environmental impact.
If your business transports either your own or another organisation's freight, improving your systems may benefit your business and reduce your impact on the environment.
Sustainable logistics
If your business is making and receiving deliveries to and from a warehouse, it might make sense to have one central distribution centre. This could be cost-effective and has less environmental impact than a dispersed distribution system.
To reduce your carbon footprint further you should also consider the journeys that suppliers of goods and services make to and from your premises. You could aim to use local businesses where possible and check out your suppliers' environmental credentials by asking to see their environmental reports and policies - see supply chain efficiency and environmental impact.
Reducing fuel use
Fuel can account for at least 30 per cent of operating costs of most road freight transport operations, so you should start by improving fuel management. The most basic way to reduce fuel bills and lowers accident rates is by driving more efficiently. More efficient driving can produce around 15 per cent reduction in fuel use and CO2 emissions, and increase electric vehicles range by 20 per cent.
You can find information and resources to help your business lower its costs, while reducing the carbon emissions from your organisation’s vehicles and employee travel with the Energy Saving Trust.
By sourcing blends of renewable fuel you can reduce the carbon intensity of your fleet. Operators can get independent assurance of purchasing sustainable, low carbon fuels approved under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), and customer supply chain specific greenhouse gas emission performance data through the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.
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End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
Pathway for decarbonisation of cars, vans and HGVs in the UK with key dates for ending petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
Vehicle emissions are one of the biggest drivers of climate change. The mass adoption of zero emission vehicles can help deliver carbon reductions, improve air quality and grow the green economy.
The United Kingdom government has committed to a pathway for the decarbonisation of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to help businesses to plan for the transition over several years.
Cars and vans decarbonisation dates
The UK government has set out a path for all new cars and vans sold to be zero emission by 2035.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission cars and vans.
HGVs decarbonisation dates
A two phase approach to decarbonising HGVs is being adopted by the UK government:
- The phase-out of non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035.
- All new HGVs sold in the UK will be zero emission by 2040.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission HGVs.
Buses, coaches and minibuses decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in spring 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
L-category vehicles decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in summer 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles – for example, mopeds, motorcycles, powered tricycles and quadricycles.
DfT is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles.
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Advantages of electric vehicles for business
What electric cars and vans can offer to businesses by reducing costs and boosting your environmental reputation
Electric vehicles offer a great reduction in transport costs for businesses, especially for fleet vehicles with regular journeys of up to 100 miles per day. Although electric vehicles can be more expensive to buy, they have significantly lower running costs when compared to petrol or diesel equivalents.
It can cost as little as 2 pence a mile to run an electric vehicle when charging on off-peak electricity. This is compared to over 20 pence per mile for petrol and diesel, representing a huge saving on fuel costs.
There are a series of financial incentives for businesses, including tax and duty exemptions for you and your employees and capital allowances.
Moving to use electric vehicles gives businesses the chance to become involved in innovative transport developments which are addressing environmental issues. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. It is estimated that an electric car powered by today's grid could emit between 15 per cent and 40 per cent less CO2 over its lifetime than a similar-sized petrol car.
Setting environmental concerns at the heart of your business can be a key part of demonstrating your corporate social responsibility.
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Charging your business electric vehicles
Public and private charging networks and the process and incentives for installing charge points at your business.
Electric vehicles work well for regular short to medium journeys. The growth of rapid charging infrastructure is enabling businesses to use electric vehicles (EVs) for longer journeys. This makes EVs a realistic transport option for many businesses operating within Northern Ireland.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has been installing public charging points across NI. This network enables EV users to charge at various points during longer journeys. Knowing where the public charging points are sited can help with a decision to invest in an EV. There is also financial support for the installation of certain types of private charging points.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.
The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.
The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant, eg if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site
Find out more about private charge point support.
Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for business staff and fleet car parks
EV infrastructure grants can give small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets.
The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts.
The grant covers 75 per cent of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of £15,000. You can get up to:
- £350 per chargepoint socket installed
- £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure
You can receive up to five grants across five different sites.
Find out more about the chargepoint and infrastructure grant for business staff and fleet car parks.
Chargepoint and Infrastructure Grant for landlords, including car parks
There are two grants you can get for installing chargepoints for electric vehicles at a property you own.
1. Electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint grant
An EV chargepoint grant gives you money off the cost of installing an electric vehicle chargepoint socket.
You can get 75 per cent off the cost to buy and install a socket, up to a maximum of £350 per socket.
You can receive up to 200 grants a year for residential properties, and a further 100 for commercial properties.
2. Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant (You cannot apply for the infrastructure grant if you’re a commercial landlord)
An EV infrastructure grant gives you money off the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets. The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future. For example, an EV infrastructure grant can cover things like wiring and posts.
You can get 75 per cent off the cost of the work up to a maximum of £30,000. The amount depends on how many parking spaces the work covers.
You can get up to:
- £350 per chargepoint socket installed
- £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure
You can receive up to 30 grants each financial year for installing infrastructure in residential carparks.
Find out more about chargepoint and infrastructure grant for landlords, including car parks.
Public rapid charge points
Rapid charge points are 50kW outlets - these can charge capable vehicles up to 80 per cent in around 20 to 25 minutes. These are located in petrol stations and on key strategic routes around Northern Ireland.
Public fast charge points
Fast charge points are 22kW double-headed outlets able to charge two vehicles at the same time. They are located in shopping centres, car parks, on-street, tourist attractions and other locations where electric vehicle drivers tend to park regularly. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, they charge within one to six hours.
You can find a map of all electric vehicle public charge points across the island of Ireland.
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Electric vehicles incentives for business
Financial and other incentives for businesses when investing in different types of electric vehicles.
Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, however purchase costs for many electric cars and vans are still more expensive than some equivalent petrol and diesel vehicles. While the ongoing running costs are highly attractive to businesses, the initial investment costs of electric vehicles can be significant. Your business may be eligible for grants and other support to make electric vehicles an easier choice.
Grant for electric cars
The plug-in car grant scheme closed to new orders on 14 June 2022.
The scheme supported the creation of a mature market in the United Kingdom, helping to increase the sales of fully electric cars from less than 1,000 in 2011 to almost 100,000 in the first five months of 2022 alone. Due to this, the UK government is now refocusing funding towards the main barriers to the electric vehicle transition, including public charging and supporting the purchase of other road vehicles where the switch to electric requires further development.
Grant for electric vans
Grants are available of up to £5,000 for large vans and £2,500 for small vans, with a limit of 1,000 per customer per year.
Find out more about the types of van eligible for a plug-in grant.
It’s not only vans which can attract a plug-in grant - the eligible categories are:
- wheelchair accessible vehicles
- motorcycles
- mopeds
- small vans
- large vans
- taxis
- trucks
Not all low-emission vehicles will get a grant. Only vehicles that have been approved by the government are eligible for a grant. Find out more about the grants, specific vehicle types and eligibility information.
Tax incentives for electric vehicles
Owning or operating an electric vehicle can attract various tax benefits, including exemptions from:
- fuel duty
- vehicle excise duty
- company car tax
- van benefit charge
- fuel benefit charge
Tax incentives for electric vehicles can save drivers over £2,000 a year.
You can claim capital allowances for a business electric car or van - see capital allowances.
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Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell technology benefits to your business in reduced fuel costs and lower transport emissions.
The United Kingdom government has identified the potential for hydrogen to play a significant role in the decarbonisation of transport.
Greenhouse gas emissions savings of between 10 per cent (compared with a diesel HGV) and around 43 per cent (compared with a petrol car) are possible with hydrogen-powered transport.
Hydrogen is likely to be most effective in transport in areas ‘that batteries cannot reach’, where energy density requirements or duty cycles, weight and volume restrictions and refuelling times make it the most suitable green energy source.
Benefits of hydrogen vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have zero tailpipe emissions. FCEVs use electric motors to drive the wheels, but store energy on-board as compressed hydrogen, rather than just in a battery. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air in an on-board fuel cell to produce electricity. Water is the only by-product.
While no greenhouse gas or air pollutant emissions are produced by FCEVs themselves, like battery electric vehicles (BEVs), their well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions depend on the method of energy production.
FCEVs have had two advantages over BEVs:
- fast refuelling with high pressure hydrogen
- longer range
While BEV techology is gaining ground in these two areas, in the long term hydrogen vehicle technologies may be well suited to use in HGVs and by fleet operators - find out more about hydrogen fuel cell technology.
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Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
What types of transport biofuels are available and where your business can buy them in Northern Ireland.
Transport biofuels are a renewable alternative to limited resources of fossil fuels. They can be liquid or gas and can help to reduce your business transport emissions.
Biofuels are produced from energy crops or organic waste. Vehicle carbon emissions from biofuel combustion are classed as zero because carbon dioxide has been used in plant growth, creating a closed loop in the carbon cycle.
The overall impact that biofuels have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will depend on where they come from and the way they are produced.
Biofuels are currently blended with conventional petrol, diesel and natural gas in the Northern Ireland. Only some biofuels are commercially available in Northern Ireland for use in vehicles.
Biodiesel and bioethanol
Biodiesel is a substitute fuel produced for diesel engines. It is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil crops, for example rapeseed or soybean. You can also make biodiesel from waste cooking oils. It doesn't contain petroleum and is biodegradable.
Bioethanol is a renewable fuel used as a petrol substitute for vehicles. It is made from starches or sugar, for example corn or sugar cane. It is biodegradable and less toxic and explosive than petrol.
Most of the fuel you buy at petrol stations will already have some biodiesel or bioethanol added to it. Large fuel suppliers have increased the amount of biofuel content in their fuel each year and standard pump fuel in Northern Ireland now contains 10 per cent biodiesel or bioethanol (E10). E5 is now only available as "Premium blend".
You can buy fuel with a higher concentration of biodiesel and bioethanol at some outlets. You should contact your vehicle manufacturer before using a higher blend as it could affect engine performance and warranty if your engine is not modified.
You should only use biodiesel that conforms to the recognised European quality standard EN14214 and meets the current diesel specification EN590.
Biogas
Biogas is a renewable fuel made from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, such as municipal or food wastes. The main component of biogas is methane. Biogas can be purified to produce liquid biomethane (LBM), which can be used as a vehicle fuel. You can also purify landfill gas to produce biomethane.
Biomethane can be stored as a compressed gas for road vehicles. Any vehicle that can operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) can run on LBM.
If you want to use other biofuels, for example biogas, you will need to consider installing your own refuelling facilities.
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How to produce your own biofuel
How to make your own bioethanol, biogas or biodiesel safely and manage any hazardous raw materials and waste.
You may need a pollution prevention and control permit or waste management licence if you produce your own bioethanol or biogas.
How to produce bioethanol
You can make bioethanol fuel from a variety of sugar and starch-rich materials, mainly by fermentation and distillation. It can also be produced by the reaction of ethylene with steam.
When you produce bioethanol, the by-product is a residue called dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). DDGS are classified as a by-product and not a waste if they are used without further processing, either as animal feed or as a fuel. Waste management controls will not apply to your DDGS if you meet these requirements, for example you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
How to produce biogas
Biogas can be produced from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, including municipal or food wastes. The biodegradable material is turned into a gas by anaerobic digestion, using bacteria to break down the organic matter without oxygen in specially designed digesters.
You can then upgrade the biogas, for example using a membrane separation technique, to remove the CO2 and impurities and produce biomethane. You can use biomethane as a vehicle fuel.
The solid waste from anaerobic digestion is called digestate and it can be used in a similar way to compost.
If you follow the quality protocol for anaerobic digestate from biodegradable wastes you can produce a high quality digestate which can be sold without waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
If you don't achieve the standards in the quality protocol then you must follow waste management controls when you handle, transport or apply the digestate.
How to produce biodiesel
There are two ways of producing biodiesel using waste or virgin vegetable oil:
- Chemical production using transesterification - where the oil is heated, filtered and combined with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst. The mixture will separate producing biodiesel and a by-product, glycerol.
- Physical production - where the oil is heated to melt the fat and remove water. It is then filtered and blended with hydrocarbons to alter the cetane rating (how easily a fuel ignites and how fast it will burn).
If you follow the quality protocol for biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats you can produce a high-quality biodiesel which you can sell without following waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note, making it easier to sell your biodiesel.
Find out more about the rules and standards for producing your own biodiesel.
Quality standards for biofuels
You must meet quality standards to sell your fuel in countries within the European Union. These standards apply to biofuel and blends containing biofuel. For example, the standard EN14214 specifies the requirements and test methods for biodiesel produced for use in diesel engines.
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Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
When you may need a registration, licence or exemption when producing biofuels for your business in Northern Ireland.
If you want to produce biofuel for commercial or personal use, you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or waste management licence. This will depend on how much biofuel you want to make and the method you use.
Check if you need a biofuel permit or licence
If you produce biodiesel or bioethanol by chemical means from waste or virgin vegetable oils you will require:
- a PPC permit if you make more than 5,000 litres per year
- a waste management licence if you make less than 5,000 litres per year
If you produce small amounts of biodiesel by physical means you may also require a waste management licence. You will need a waste management licence if you make more than 100 litres per batch for business or personal use.
Biofuels from anaerobic digestion of waste
If you produce biogas from the anaerobic digestion of waste you must also have a PPC permit or waste management licence.
Biofuels from animal by-products
If you produce biodiesel from waste edible fats and oils of animal origin that are not catering waste, you will also be subject to any relevant controls under animal by-product legislation.
For example, if you produce biodiesel using cooking oil from a food manufacturer or fat from animal by-products, your treatment operations will need approval from the Divisional Veterinary Office.
Check if your biofuel activities are low impact
If you produce biodiesel by chemical means and need a PPC permit, your activity may be considered to be low impact. If you meet the criteria set out in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) guidance you may be eligible for a low impact installation (LII) permit. The fees and charges you pay will be less to reflect the lower environmental impact.
For guidance on whether an installation can be classified as low impact, contact the NIEA Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate Helpline on Tel 028 9056 9299 or email ipri@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Follow rules to store waste cooking oil
You may need a waste management licence to store waste cooking oil. If you store more than 1,000 litres of waste cooking oil at any one time you will need a licence.
You must always store your used cooking oil within a suitable secondary containment system, for example a bund.
Follow rules for collecting waste vegetable oil
If you collect and transport waste vegetable oil, for example used cooking oil, for the production of biodiesel then you will need to be a registered waste carrier and follow your duty of care for waste.
Biofuels and REACH regulation
Manufacturers or importers of biofuels in Northern Ireland may need to register those substances when they are manufactured or imported in quantities of one tonne or more per year - find more guidance on REACH and biodiesel.
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Taxi driver licensing
Taxi operator licensing
You need a Taxi Operator Licence from the Driver Vehicle Agency to run a taxi business in Northern Ireland.
You must have been issued with a Taxi Operator Licence from the Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA) to run a taxi service. This applies to sole traders, registered companies and partnerships, provided that the business is located in Northern Ireland.
All taxi drivers are required to either:
- apply for a Taxi Operator Licence
- work for a licensed taxi operator
There are two types of operator's licence:
- small operator - can only list up to two taxis on the licence
- large operator - can operate any number of taxis as long as these are listed on the licence
A licensed operator will be required to meet a number of conditions in order to retain their licence.
Operating a taxi business without a licence is illegal.
You don't need a taxi operator licence if you provide:
- transport solely for weddings
- courtesy transport as part of another business which is not a taxi business, eg a funeral undertaker
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Applying for a Taxi Operator Licence
How to apply for a Taxi Operator Licence, which is required to run a taxi service in Northern Ireland.
You need a Taxi Operator Licence to run a taxi service in Northern Ireland. Your application will involve a number of key checks on your business and background.
You can apply to the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) for a one, three or five year licence.
Applications may take up to eight weeks to process, so you should apply in plenty of time before the licence is required.
DVA will only grant your licence if they consider you to be a 'fit and proper' person to run a taxi business.
To help them make this assessment you must disclose any unspent convictions, bankruptcy proceedings or disqualifications from acting as a company director or manager on a personal declaration form.
To support your application you will need to provide the following:
- proof of your identity and the right to live and work in the UK for every person listed on the application - see our guide on ensuring your workers are eligible to work in the UK
- planning permission details for your operating premises, where applicable - see the page in this guide on taxi operating centres
- certificate of VAT Registration or HMRC Self Assessment Return
- your Ofcom licence number if you intend to communicate with drivers by two-way radio or use a computerised despatch system - find out more about radiocommunications licences on the Ofcom website
- where the public has access to your operating centre, evidence of public liability insurance (at least £5 million) - see our factsheet on public liability insurance
- evidence of employer's liability insurance if you have employees - see our factsheet on employer's liability insurance
- an application fee of £140
You will also need an AccessNI Basic or Enhanced Disclosure Certificate (issued within the last three months) for every person listed on the application (unless a taxi driver's licence has been obtained for that person in the previous three months). For more information about Access NI checks see our guide on criminal records checks.
Completed applications forms should be returned to the DVA's Taxi Operator Licensing Section in Belfast.
If your application is successful you have 28 days to complete a grant of licence form, giving details of all vehicles and drivers. You must also enclose the appropriate fee for the grant of the licence - see grant of licence fees.
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Grant of taxi operator licence fees
Details of the grant of licence fees required when applying for a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland.
Once your application for a taxi operator licence is approved you must pay the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) a grant of licence fee within 28 days. This comprises a fixed fee that depends on the operator's size and a fee per vehicle in the operator's fleet.
The fixed fee for a small operator licence (one or two cars) is:
- 1 year, £15
- 3 years, £45
- 5 years, £75
The fixed fee for a large operator licence (three or more cars) is:
- 1 year, £40
- 3 years, £220
- 5 years, £360
The licence fee per vehicle for the first 25 taxis in your business is:
- 1 year, £40 per vehicle
- 3 years, £120 per vehicle
- 5 years, £200 per vehicle
Where you have more than 25 taxis in your fleet, the licence fee for the additional vehicles is:
- 1 year, £10 per vehicle
- 3 years, £12 per vehicle
- 5 years, £20 per vehicle
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Requirements for licensed taxi operators
An overview of standards and conditions which holders of a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland must comply with.
Holders of a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland have to comply with certain standards and conditions.
Once your licence is granted by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) you must:
- comply with all conditions attached to your licence eg in relation to record keeping
- display your licence where the public can see it at your operating centres
- inform DVA of any changes to the details on your licence within seven working days of the change eg any new convictions or changes to a partnership
- notify DVA of any changes to the drivers working for you or the vehicles in your fleet eg adding drivers or vehicles to your licence or substitute vehicles
- comply with all legal requirements eg health and safety regulations
You must only use drivers or vehicles that are listed on your licence to provide taxi services. If you want to take on new drivers or add new vehicles to your fleet (or replace vehicles with newer models) you must notify DVA and pay a variation fee.
You also need to inform DVA if you are no longer using a particular driver or vehicle. However you don't need to pay a variation fee.
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Taxi operating centres
How to operate your taxi business from a booking office or other premises and requirements to consider.
If you intend to operate your taxi business from a booking office or other premises (an 'operating centre') there are a number of issues and requirements to be aware of.
Planning permission
You may need planning permission depending on the type of premises and the location.
You will only need planning permission to work from home if the overall character of the building will change as a result of the business. Find out more in our guide on use your home as a workplace.
Things for you to consider in reaching this conclusion are:
- Will your home no longer be used as a private residence?
- Will your business lead to a marked rise in traffic, people calling or an increase in parked cars at your home?
- Will your business involve any activities unusual in a residential area?
- Will your business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise?
If you're not sure, you can apply to the Planning Service for a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development. This is a legal document which confirms that your business operations don't require planning permission.
If you are working from commercial premises you will need to provide one of the following documents with your application for a taxi operator licence:
- a copy of your planning permission, or
- a Certificate of Lawful Development Existing
Your licence may be revoked if it is later discovered that your operating centre doesn't have planning permission.
If you need any advice on planning matters you should contact your Local Area Planning Office.
Compliance inspections
During the lifetime of your taxi operator licence a compliance officer from the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) may conduct an inspection of your operating centre(s).
You will be expected to provide evidence that you comply with record-keeping duties which form part of the conditions attached to your licence. Records include:
- particulars of bookings
- particulars of vehicles (including the registration mark, a copy of the current insurance certificate and taxi vehicle licence)
- particulars of drivers (including a copy of the driver's ordinary licence and an up-to-date counterpart licence showing all endorsements)
- a photocopy of the driver's taxi driver licence
- record of complaints
- record of lost property
DVA recommends that you keep separate files on your drivers and vehicles and ensure all of the information is up to date.
You may need to produce evidence that you comply with the requirements for certified or audited financial accounts. Even if you do not prepare formal accounts, you need to keep records of income and expenditure over a set accounting period.
You must also ensure that you have any health and safety documents, including policies and risk assessments, available for inspection during a compliance visit. For advice you should contact the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland on Tel 0800 0320 121.
If you fail a compliance visit, you will be issued with a notice identifying the reasons why. Where the reasons are so serious as to pose a risk to the travelling public (eg using unlicensed drivers or vehicles with proper insurance), your licence may be revoked.
Adding a new operating centre
If you wish to add a new operating centre you must inform the DVA by submitting a variation application form and fee (if applicable).
You will need to provide:
- evidence that the new premises has planning permission to be used as an operating centre
- where the public has access to your operating centre, evidence of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million
- where you have employees, evidence of employer's liability insurance
- a valid Ofcom licence for any communications equipment in use at the new premises
If you fail to notify DVA that you are trading from a new operating centre, your licence may be suspended or revoked.
Removal of an operating centre
If you cease to trade from an operating centre you should notify the DVA by submitting a variation application form. There is no fee to remove a centre from a licence.
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Taxi licensing
Each taxi in your fleet must be licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency before it can be used for business.
Each vehicle in your fleet (including stretched limousines) must be licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) before you can use it as a taxi.
For a taxi to be licensed, it must be insured and pass a rigorous inspection and test arranged by DVA to ensure that it is roadworthy, safe and suitable for the proposed use. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to ensure that the taxi is tested.
Applications for a taxi test are made by completing an application form at any DVA test centre.
Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before a certificate is due.
After a successful taxi vehicle test, all vehicles are issued with their licence and plates which must be displayed in accordance with conditions attached to the taxi licence.
Taxi licences are usually granted for up to a year. After this the vehicle owner will need to apply for renewal, and organise for the taxi to be tested again.
Even if you do not own the taxis in your fleet, you can be prosecuted if an unlicensed vehicle is used as a taxi so it is in your interests to ensure that each vehicle carries the appropriate plate or sign.
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Taxi driver licensing
How to apply for a taxi driver licence in Northern Ireland and an overview of the application process.
Professional taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers. They are licensed by Passenger Transport Licensing Division, Driver and Vehicle Agency. New taxi drivers have to complete a two stage application process. The first stage is the application for the taxi driver licence and the second stage is to apply for and pass taxi theory and practical test. Applications usually take 12 weeks to process.
First stage
If this is the first time you have applied for a licence to drive a taxi you must:
- have held a full driving licence for at least three years
- be eligible to work in Northern Ireland
- meet the necessary medical requirements
- meet the necessary good repute requirements
- pass a taxi driver theory test and a taxi driver practical test
New applications for a taxi driver licence will include checks on previous convictions, health and the length of time you have held a driving licence. In addition to the application form you must complete an enhanced disclosure application form for Access NI and return it to Passenger Transport Licensing Division (PTLD) with the necessary identification documents, you don't have to pay any additional fee. Further information on new taxi tests can be found in the manual.
Second stage
You can apply for stage two at the same time as stage one, however, your licence will only be issued once you have met all the requirements.
You need to apply for and pass:
- taxi driver practical test
- taxi driver theory test - followed by
If you have previously held a taxi driver licence which expired more than a year ago, you will need to make a first-time application.
First-time applications usually take eight to ten weeks to process and renewal applications take at least six weeks.
Taxi driver licence conditions
Conditions may be attached to a taxi driver's licence, eg in relation to the class of vehicle they can drive.
All taxi drivers should wear a badge showing their licence number and should display all other evidence of identification in a place where it can easily be seen by passengers.
Licensed drivers can only be listed with one taxi operator at a time.
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Taxi licensing
Taxi operator licensing
You need a Taxi Operator Licence from the Driver Vehicle Agency to run a taxi business in Northern Ireland.
You must have been issued with a Taxi Operator Licence from the Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA) to run a taxi service. This applies to sole traders, registered companies and partnerships, provided that the business is located in Northern Ireland.
All taxi drivers are required to either:
- apply for a Taxi Operator Licence
- work for a licensed taxi operator
There are two types of operator's licence:
- small operator - can only list up to two taxis on the licence
- large operator - can operate any number of taxis as long as these are listed on the licence
A licensed operator will be required to meet a number of conditions in order to retain their licence.
Operating a taxi business without a licence is illegal.
You don't need a taxi operator licence if you provide:
- transport solely for weddings
- courtesy transport as part of another business which is not a taxi business, eg a funeral undertaker
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Applying for a Taxi Operator Licence
How to apply for a Taxi Operator Licence, which is required to run a taxi service in Northern Ireland.
You need a Taxi Operator Licence to run a taxi service in Northern Ireland. Your application will involve a number of key checks on your business and background.
You can apply to the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) for a one, three or five year licence.
Applications may take up to eight weeks to process, so you should apply in plenty of time before the licence is required.
DVA will only grant your licence if they consider you to be a 'fit and proper' person to run a taxi business.
To help them make this assessment you must disclose any unspent convictions, bankruptcy proceedings or disqualifications from acting as a company director or manager on a personal declaration form.
To support your application you will need to provide the following:
- proof of your identity and the right to live and work in the UK for every person listed on the application - see our guide on ensuring your workers are eligible to work in the UK
- planning permission details for your operating premises, where applicable - see the page in this guide on taxi operating centres
- certificate of VAT Registration or HMRC Self Assessment Return
- your Ofcom licence number if you intend to communicate with drivers by two-way radio or use a computerised despatch system - find out more about radiocommunications licences on the Ofcom website
- where the public has access to your operating centre, evidence of public liability insurance (at least £5 million) - see our factsheet on public liability insurance
- evidence of employer's liability insurance if you have employees - see our factsheet on employer's liability insurance
- an application fee of £140
You will also need an AccessNI Basic or Enhanced Disclosure Certificate (issued within the last three months) for every person listed on the application (unless a taxi driver's licence has been obtained for that person in the previous three months). For more information about Access NI checks see our guide on criminal records checks.
Completed applications forms should be returned to the DVA's Taxi Operator Licensing Section in Belfast.
If your application is successful you have 28 days to complete a grant of licence form, giving details of all vehicles and drivers. You must also enclose the appropriate fee for the grant of the licence - see grant of licence fees.
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Grant of taxi operator licence fees
Details of the grant of licence fees required when applying for a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland.
Once your application for a taxi operator licence is approved you must pay the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) a grant of licence fee within 28 days. This comprises a fixed fee that depends on the operator's size and a fee per vehicle in the operator's fleet.
The fixed fee for a small operator licence (one or two cars) is:
- 1 year, £15
- 3 years, £45
- 5 years, £75
The fixed fee for a large operator licence (three or more cars) is:
- 1 year, £40
- 3 years, £220
- 5 years, £360
The licence fee per vehicle for the first 25 taxis in your business is:
- 1 year, £40 per vehicle
- 3 years, £120 per vehicle
- 5 years, £200 per vehicle
Where you have more than 25 taxis in your fleet, the licence fee for the additional vehicles is:
- 1 year, £10 per vehicle
- 3 years, £12 per vehicle
- 5 years, £20 per vehicle
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Requirements for licensed taxi operators
An overview of standards and conditions which holders of a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland must comply with.
Holders of a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland have to comply with certain standards and conditions.
Once your licence is granted by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) you must:
- comply with all conditions attached to your licence eg in relation to record keeping
- display your licence where the public can see it at your operating centres
- inform DVA of any changes to the details on your licence within seven working days of the change eg any new convictions or changes to a partnership
- notify DVA of any changes to the drivers working for you or the vehicles in your fleet eg adding drivers or vehicles to your licence or substitute vehicles
- comply with all legal requirements eg health and safety regulations
You must only use drivers or vehicles that are listed on your licence to provide taxi services. If you want to take on new drivers or add new vehicles to your fleet (or replace vehicles with newer models) you must notify DVA and pay a variation fee.
You also need to inform DVA if you are no longer using a particular driver or vehicle. However you don't need to pay a variation fee.
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Source URL
/content/requirements-licensed-taxi-operators
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Taxi operating centres
How to operate your taxi business from a booking office or other premises and requirements to consider.
If you intend to operate your taxi business from a booking office or other premises (an 'operating centre') there are a number of issues and requirements to be aware of.
Planning permission
You may need planning permission depending on the type of premises and the location.
You will only need planning permission to work from home if the overall character of the building will change as a result of the business. Find out more in our guide on use your home as a workplace.
Things for you to consider in reaching this conclusion are:
- Will your home no longer be used as a private residence?
- Will your business lead to a marked rise in traffic, people calling or an increase in parked cars at your home?
- Will your business involve any activities unusual in a residential area?
- Will your business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise?
If you're not sure, you can apply to the Planning Service for a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development. This is a legal document which confirms that your business operations don't require planning permission.
If you are working from commercial premises you will need to provide one of the following documents with your application for a taxi operator licence:
- a copy of your planning permission, or
- a Certificate of Lawful Development Existing
Your licence may be revoked if it is later discovered that your operating centre doesn't have planning permission.
If you need any advice on planning matters you should contact your Local Area Planning Office.
Compliance inspections
During the lifetime of your taxi operator licence a compliance officer from the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) may conduct an inspection of your operating centre(s).
You will be expected to provide evidence that you comply with record-keeping duties which form part of the conditions attached to your licence. Records include:
- particulars of bookings
- particulars of vehicles (including the registration mark, a copy of the current insurance certificate and taxi vehicle licence)
- particulars of drivers (including a copy of the driver's ordinary licence and an up-to-date counterpart licence showing all endorsements)
- a photocopy of the driver's taxi driver licence
- record of complaints
- record of lost property
DVA recommends that you keep separate files on your drivers and vehicles and ensure all of the information is up to date.
You may need to produce evidence that you comply with the requirements for certified or audited financial accounts. Even if you do not prepare formal accounts, you need to keep records of income and expenditure over a set accounting period.
You must also ensure that you have any health and safety documents, including policies and risk assessments, available for inspection during a compliance visit. For advice you should contact the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland on Tel 0800 0320 121.
If you fail a compliance visit, you will be issued with a notice identifying the reasons why. Where the reasons are so serious as to pose a risk to the travelling public (eg using unlicensed drivers or vehicles with proper insurance), your licence may be revoked.
Adding a new operating centre
If you wish to add a new operating centre you must inform the DVA by submitting a variation application form and fee (if applicable).
You will need to provide:
- evidence that the new premises has planning permission to be used as an operating centre
- where the public has access to your operating centre, evidence of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million
- where you have employees, evidence of employer's liability insurance
- a valid Ofcom licence for any communications equipment in use at the new premises
If you fail to notify DVA that you are trading from a new operating centre, your licence may be suspended or revoked.
Removal of an operating centre
If you cease to trade from an operating centre you should notify the DVA by submitting a variation application form. There is no fee to remove a centre from a licence.
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Taxi licensing
Each taxi in your fleet must be licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency before it can be used for business.
Each vehicle in your fleet (including stretched limousines) must be licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) before you can use it as a taxi.
For a taxi to be licensed, it must be insured and pass a rigorous inspection and test arranged by DVA to ensure that it is roadworthy, safe and suitable for the proposed use. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to ensure that the taxi is tested.
Applications for a taxi test are made by completing an application form at any DVA test centre.
Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before a certificate is due.
After a successful taxi vehicle test, all vehicles are issued with their licence and plates which must be displayed in accordance with conditions attached to the taxi licence.
Taxi licences are usually granted for up to a year. After this the vehicle owner will need to apply for renewal, and organise for the taxi to be tested again.
Even if you do not own the taxis in your fleet, you can be prosecuted if an unlicensed vehicle is used as a taxi so it is in your interests to ensure that each vehicle carries the appropriate plate or sign.
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Source URL
/content/taxi-licensing
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Taxi driver licensing
How to apply for a taxi driver licence in Northern Ireland and an overview of the application process.
Professional taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers. They are licensed by Passenger Transport Licensing Division, Driver and Vehicle Agency. New taxi drivers have to complete a two stage application process. The first stage is the application for the taxi driver licence and the second stage is to apply for and pass taxi theory and practical test. Applications usually take 12 weeks to process.
First stage
If this is the first time you have applied for a licence to drive a taxi you must:
- have held a full driving licence for at least three years
- be eligible to work in Northern Ireland
- meet the necessary medical requirements
- meet the necessary good repute requirements
- pass a taxi driver theory test and a taxi driver practical test
New applications for a taxi driver licence will include checks on previous convictions, health and the length of time you have held a driving licence. In addition to the application form you must complete an enhanced disclosure application form for Access NI and return it to Passenger Transport Licensing Division (PTLD) with the necessary identification documents, you don't have to pay any additional fee. Further information on new taxi tests can be found in the manual.
Second stage
You can apply for stage two at the same time as stage one, however, your licence will only be issued once you have met all the requirements.
You need to apply for and pass:
- taxi driver practical test
- taxi driver theory test - followed by
If you have previously held a taxi driver licence which expired more than a year ago, you will need to make a first-time application.
First-time applications usually take eight to ten weeks to process and renewal applications take at least six weeks.
Taxi driver licence conditions
Conditions may be attached to a taxi driver's licence, eg in relation to the class of vehicle they can drive.
All taxi drivers should wear a badge showing their licence number and should display all other evidence of identification in a place where it can easily be seen by passengers.
Licensed drivers can only be listed with one taxi operator at a time.
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/content/taxi-driver-licensing
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Taxi operating centres
Taxi operator licensing
You need a Taxi Operator Licence from the Driver Vehicle Agency to run a taxi business in Northern Ireland.
You must have been issued with a Taxi Operator Licence from the Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA) to run a taxi service. This applies to sole traders, registered companies and partnerships, provided that the business is located in Northern Ireland.
All taxi drivers are required to either:
- apply for a Taxi Operator Licence
- work for a licensed taxi operator
There are two types of operator's licence:
- small operator - can only list up to two taxis on the licence
- large operator - can operate any number of taxis as long as these are listed on the licence
A licensed operator will be required to meet a number of conditions in order to retain their licence.
Operating a taxi business without a licence is illegal.
You don't need a taxi operator licence if you provide:
- transport solely for weddings
- courtesy transport as part of another business which is not a taxi business, eg a funeral undertaker
Also on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/taxi-operator-licensing
Links
Applying for a Taxi Operator Licence
How to apply for a Taxi Operator Licence, which is required to run a taxi service in Northern Ireland.
You need a Taxi Operator Licence to run a taxi service in Northern Ireland. Your application will involve a number of key checks on your business and background.
You can apply to the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) for a one, three or five year licence.
Applications may take up to eight weeks to process, so you should apply in plenty of time before the licence is required.
DVA will only grant your licence if they consider you to be a 'fit and proper' person to run a taxi business.
To help them make this assessment you must disclose any unspent convictions, bankruptcy proceedings or disqualifications from acting as a company director or manager on a personal declaration form.
To support your application you will need to provide the following:
- proof of your identity and the right to live and work in the UK for every person listed on the application - see our guide on ensuring your workers are eligible to work in the UK
- planning permission details for your operating premises, where applicable - see the page in this guide on taxi operating centres
- certificate of VAT Registration or HMRC Self Assessment Return
- your Ofcom licence number if you intend to communicate with drivers by two-way radio or use a computerised despatch system - find out more about radiocommunications licences on the Ofcom website
- where the public has access to your operating centre, evidence of public liability insurance (at least £5 million) - see our factsheet on public liability insurance
- evidence of employer's liability insurance if you have employees - see our factsheet on employer's liability insurance
- an application fee of £140
You will also need an AccessNI Basic or Enhanced Disclosure Certificate (issued within the last three months) for every person listed on the application (unless a taxi driver's licence has been obtained for that person in the previous three months). For more information about Access NI checks see our guide on criminal records checks.
Completed applications forms should be returned to the DVA's Taxi Operator Licensing Section in Belfast.
If your application is successful you have 28 days to complete a grant of licence form, giving details of all vehicles and drivers. You must also enclose the appropriate fee for the grant of the licence - see grant of licence fees.
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Grant of taxi operator licence fees
Details of the grant of licence fees required when applying for a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland.
Once your application for a taxi operator licence is approved you must pay the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) a grant of licence fee within 28 days. This comprises a fixed fee that depends on the operator's size and a fee per vehicle in the operator's fleet.
The fixed fee for a small operator licence (one or two cars) is:
- 1 year, £15
- 3 years, £45
- 5 years, £75
The fixed fee for a large operator licence (three or more cars) is:
- 1 year, £40
- 3 years, £220
- 5 years, £360
The licence fee per vehicle for the first 25 taxis in your business is:
- 1 year, £40 per vehicle
- 3 years, £120 per vehicle
- 5 years, £200 per vehicle
Where you have more than 25 taxis in your fleet, the licence fee for the additional vehicles is:
- 1 year, £10 per vehicle
- 3 years, £12 per vehicle
- 5 years, £20 per vehicle
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Requirements for licensed taxi operators
An overview of standards and conditions which holders of a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland must comply with.
Holders of a Taxi Operator Licence in Northern Ireland have to comply with certain standards and conditions.
Once your licence is granted by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) you must:
- comply with all conditions attached to your licence eg in relation to record keeping
- display your licence where the public can see it at your operating centres
- inform DVA of any changes to the details on your licence within seven working days of the change eg any new convictions or changes to a partnership
- notify DVA of any changes to the drivers working for you or the vehicles in your fleet eg adding drivers or vehicles to your licence or substitute vehicles
- comply with all legal requirements eg health and safety regulations
You must only use drivers or vehicles that are listed on your licence to provide taxi services. If you want to take on new drivers or add new vehicles to your fleet (or replace vehicles with newer models) you must notify DVA and pay a variation fee.
You also need to inform DVA if you are no longer using a particular driver or vehicle. However you don't need to pay a variation fee.
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Taxi operating centres
How to operate your taxi business from a booking office or other premises and requirements to consider.
If you intend to operate your taxi business from a booking office or other premises (an 'operating centre') there are a number of issues and requirements to be aware of.
Planning permission
You may need planning permission depending on the type of premises and the location.
You will only need planning permission to work from home if the overall character of the building will change as a result of the business. Find out more in our guide on use your home as a workplace.
Things for you to consider in reaching this conclusion are:
- Will your home no longer be used as a private residence?
- Will your business lead to a marked rise in traffic, people calling or an increase in parked cars at your home?
- Will your business involve any activities unusual in a residential area?
- Will your business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise?
If you're not sure, you can apply to the Planning Service for a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development. This is a legal document which confirms that your business operations don't require planning permission.
If you are working from commercial premises you will need to provide one of the following documents with your application for a taxi operator licence:
- a copy of your planning permission, or
- a Certificate of Lawful Development Existing
Your licence may be revoked if it is later discovered that your operating centre doesn't have planning permission.
If you need any advice on planning matters you should contact your Local Area Planning Office.
Compliance inspections
During the lifetime of your taxi operator licence a compliance officer from the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) may conduct an inspection of your operating centre(s).
You will be expected to provide evidence that you comply with record-keeping duties which form part of the conditions attached to your licence. Records include:
- particulars of bookings
- particulars of vehicles (including the registration mark, a copy of the current insurance certificate and taxi vehicle licence)
- particulars of drivers (including a copy of the driver's ordinary licence and an up-to-date counterpart licence showing all endorsements)
- a photocopy of the driver's taxi driver licence
- record of complaints
- record of lost property
DVA recommends that you keep separate files on your drivers and vehicles and ensure all of the information is up to date.
You may need to produce evidence that you comply with the requirements for certified or audited financial accounts. Even if you do not prepare formal accounts, you need to keep records of income and expenditure over a set accounting period.
You must also ensure that you have any health and safety documents, including policies and risk assessments, available for inspection during a compliance visit. For advice you should contact the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland on Tel 0800 0320 121.
If you fail a compliance visit, you will be issued with a notice identifying the reasons why. Where the reasons are so serious as to pose a risk to the travelling public (eg using unlicensed drivers or vehicles with proper insurance), your licence may be revoked.
Adding a new operating centre
If you wish to add a new operating centre you must inform the DVA by submitting a variation application form and fee (if applicable).
You will need to provide:
- evidence that the new premises has planning permission to be used as an operating centre
- where the public has access to your operating centre, evidence of public liability insurance to the value of £5 million
- where you have employees, evidence of employer's liability insurance
- a valid Ofcom licence for any communications equipment in use at the new premises
If you fail to notify DVA that you are trading from a new operating centre, your licence may be suspended or revoked.
Removal of an operating centre
If you cease to trade from an operating centre you should notify the DVA by submitting a variation application form. There is no fee to remove a centre from a licence.
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Taxi licensing
Each taxi in your fleet must be licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency before it can be used for business.
Each vehicle in your fleet (including stretched limousines) must be licensed by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) before you can use it as a taxi.
For a taxi to be licensed, it must be insured and pass a rigorous inspection and test arranged by DVA to ensure that it is roadworthy, safe and suitable for the proposed use. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to ensure that the taxi is tested.
Applications for a taxi test are made by completing an application form at any DVA test centre.
Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before a certificate is due.
After a successful taxi vehicle test, all vehicles are issued with their licence and plates which must be displayed in accordance with conditions attached to the taxi licence.
Taxi licences are usually granted for up to a year. After this the vehicle owner will need to apply for renewal, and organise for the taxi to be tested again.
Even if you do not own the taxis in your fleet, you can be prosecuted if an unlicensed vehicle is used as a taxi so it is in your interests to ensure that each vehicle carries the appropriate plate or sign.
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Taxi driver licensing
How to apply for a taxi driver licence in Northern Ireland and an overview of the application process.
Professional taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers. They are licensed by Passenger Transport Licensing Division, Driver and Vehicle Agency. New taxi drivers have to complete a two stage application process. The first stage is the application for the taxi driver licence and the second stage is to apply for and pass taxi theory and practical test. Applications usually take 12 weeks to process.
First stage
If this is the first time you have applied for a licence to drive a taxi you must:
- have held a full driving licence for at least three years
- be eligible to work in Northern Ireland
- meet the necessary medical requirements
- meet the necessary good repute requirements
- pass a taxi driver theory test and a taxi driver practical test
New applications for a taxi driver licence will include checks on previous convictions, health and the length of time you have held a driving licence. In addition to the application form you must complete an enhanced disclosure application form for Access NI and return it to Passenger Transport Licensing Division (PTLD) with the necessary identification documents, you don't have to pay any additional fee. Further information on new taxi tests can be found in the manual.
Second stage
You can apply for stage two at the same time as stage one, however, your licence will only be issued once you have met all the requirements.
You need to apply for and pass:
- taxi driver practical test
- taxi driver theory test - followed by
If you have previously held a taxi driver licence which expired more than a year ago, you will need to make a first-time application.
First-time applications usually take eight to ten weeks to process and renewal applications take at least six weeks.
Taxi driver licence conditions
Conditions may be attached to a taxi driver's licence, eg in relation to the class of vehicle they can drive.
All taxi drivers should wear a badge showing their licence number and should display all other evidence of identification in a place where it can easily be seen by passengers.
Licensed drivers can only be listed with one taxi operator at a time.
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