Electric car grants on the increase

News Archive

Electric car grants on the increase

August 6, 2012

Increasing numbers of people are applying for grants to buy electric cars, a new report has revealed.

According to the Office for Low Emissions a total of 814 claims have been made for the £5,000 plug-in car grant in the first 6 months of the year.

Figures show an increase of 20% when compared to the same period last year - suggesting a change in car insurance holders' attitudes towards electric vehicles over petrol/diesel powered cars.

Any driver looking to buy an electric or hybrid car, such as the Toyota Prius Plug-in or Nissan Leaf can claim for a grant up to the sum of £5,000.

Another report by Greenwise Business has revealed that 99 further applications have been made for the recently launched plug-in van grant. Under this scheme motorists are able to claim grants up to £8,000.

The transport minister, Norman Baker has said that the figures were in-line with Government expectations. Mr Baker added that a larger range of low emission vehicles will boost the growth moving forward:

"The UK is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution and I am confident that sales will increase further with the introduction of new plug-in vehicles to the market over the coming year."

Source: http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/electric-vehicle-takeup-recovers-in-first-half-of-2012-3430.aspx