UK incentives for EV and Hybrid future

 

The UK government has proposed to extend current tax benefits for electric cars to the end of the decade, with further plans for a full market of ultra-low emission vehicles by 2050. Government Ministers have suggested the current benefits package could be extended to help end the current reluctance of UK drivers to opt for electric vehicles.Nissan Leaf

Just 4,000 or so UK drivers have made the jump to electric vehicles, despite enticing benefits. Similar to Ireland, the UK’s EV grant slashes the price of electric vehicles by £5,000, while all plug-in vehicles benefit from free vehicle tax under the country’s current CO2 emissions-based system.They’re also eligible for exemption from London’s congestion charging scheme. With the new CO2 reduction to just 75g km, this has ruled out all current non-plug-in hybrids and low-emission diesels from the exemption.

At present, ultra-low emission diesels are competing with the sales of electric cars in the UK and indeed worldwide. While the charging costs of Electric cars are significantly less than petrol and Diesel, exemptions from road tax and the current tax incentives and grants available still hasn’t persuaded many from even considering an electric vehicle. The usual range anxiety issues and a lack of public charging facilities also puts off consumers from purchasing an EV, although these are issues that are rapidly improving.

The UK government intends to spend £500m on encouraging Ultra Low Emission Vehicle technology over the next few years, with plans including a £10m  competition to invent a long-life battery, a “hydrogen highway” refueling network and more electric charging posts, both on-street and in parking areas.

“Our vision is that by 2050 almost every car and van will be an ultra low emission vehicle with the UK at the forefront of their design, development and manufacture,” UK roads minister Norman Baker told The Telegraph.