EVDecisionCompass Policy Pulse – September

The start of September brings more than just a calendar change — it reshapes the numbers fleet managers must track. Here are the shifts that matter this month.

1. Mileage reimbursement split becomes reality

From today, HMRC’s Advisory Electricity Rate is no longer flat. It is 8p per mile for home charging and 14p per mile for public charging. This change formalises what drivers already feel — charging away from home is more expensive. Fleets now face a decision: adjust reimbursement fairly, or risk driver dissatisfaction.

2. Electric Car Grant stuck at £1,500

The higher £3,750 band remains an empty promise. For now, every approved model sits in the £1,500 tier, from Renault and Citroën to Nissan and Vauxhall. Fleets should budget on this basis and keep pressure on suppliers — but not bank on the higher subsidy.

3. Infrastructure funding starts to land

The government’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme is now moving from paper to pavement. Councils and NHS fleets are receiving funding to roll out kerbside charging for households without driveways. For corporate fleets, this directly affects fairness in mileage policy — drivers without home charging are no longer left behind.

4. ZEV mandate flexibilities kick in

OEMs are leaning heavily on credit transfers and PHEV allowances to meet 2025 quotas. Industry voices warn this could slow the pure EV transition. For fleets, the implication is supply-side: expect variability in model availability and pricing as manufacturers play the compliance game.

5. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is accelerating

With VED live since April, the AER split starting today, and VAT on public charging still at 20%, Whole-Life Cost models are evolving faster than ever. Fleets that don’t update quarterly risk making decisions on outdated numbers.

Why it matters

• Policy now directly affects driver fairness and reimbursement schemes.
• Subsidies remain modest — don’t overestimate grant value.
• Access to charging is shifting thanks to local infrastructure budgets.
• Supply dynamics are changing under ZEV mandate rules.
• TCO updates are not optional: they are urgent.

👉 Model the real impact instantly with our Fleet Savings calculator (UK) and explore our UK methodology for full transparency.

Sources

• GOV.UK — Advisory fuel rates
• GOV.UK — Plug-in car and van grants
• GOV.UK — Vehicle tax for electric and low-emissions vehicles
• GOV.UK — Plug-in van and truck grants
• ABI — Salvage Code of Practice
• DfT — ZEV mandate and CO₂ targets
• Zapmap — UK Public Charging insights