Pulling the plug on plug-in grants
Autocar UK|October 13, 2021
Would removing the shrinking subsidy altogether affect the roll-out of electric cars?
DANIEL PUDDICOMBE
Pulling the plug on plug-in grants

The UK government’s plug-in car grant, which takes £2500 off the cost of eligible new EVs, will remain until at least the 202223 financial year, but what will happen after that is unknown.

The automotive industry has been vocal about it staying in place beyond that date in order to help the UK’s car parc go electric by 2030.

It has been reduced twice since its introduction at £5000 in 2011, while plug-in hybrids had their eligibility rescinded two years ago and an EV price cap was introduced in 2020 and lowered this year.

The fate of the grant – which has to date aided more than 285,000 EV purchases – is just one of a number of uncertainties clouding the future of EVs beyond 2023, including around their taxation.

In a report released in July, the SMMT warned that if the sector doesn’t “transition successfully to a zero-emissions future with ambitious global trading terms”, it could lose some 90,000 jobs.

However, the industry body said that if the UK becomes a leader in zero-emissions vehicles, 40,000 new well-paid and highly skilled jobs could be created by 2030.

In order to encourage more EVs onto the country’s roads, the SMMT called on the government to commission an independent review to “holistically consider the long-term future of fuel, vehicle and road-based taxes in a decarbonised sector”. It added that if we want people to invest in EVs, “we need to ensure that they will not be surprised by new taxes down the line and that these new taxes don’t undermine the transition to zero-emissions vehicles”.

Bu hikaye Autocar UK dergisinin October 13, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Autocar UK dergisinin October 13, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

AUTOCAR UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
THE DRAMATIC ITALIAN THAT MARKED THE END OF AN ERA
Autocar UK

THE DRAMATIC ITALIAN THAT MARKED THE END OF AN ERA

When the Huracán bowed out, the curtain fell forever on Lambo's V10

time-read
2 dak  |
November 27, 2024
HOW EV MAKERS CAN WIN THE RACE TO 5.0MPKWH
Autocar UK

HOW EV MAKERS CAN WIN THE RACE TO 5.0MPKWH

Manufacturers are honing every detail to close in on big efficiency goal

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
MASERATI MC20
Autocar UK

MASERATI MC20

We bid a sad farewell to a handsome supercar that was easy to live with

time-read
4 dak  |
November 27, 2024
The quickening
Autocar UK

The quickening

Instant acceleration is part of the appeal of an EV, but is it all getting a bit much for unwary and inexperienced drivers? JOHN EVANS investigates

time-read
3 dak  |
November 27, 2024
Inside track
Autocar UK

Inside track

Watching an F1 race with live access to engineers and telemetry is the stuff of dreams for racing fans. ALEX WOLSTENHOLME makes a day of it

time-read
3 dak  |
November 27, 2024
WHOLE IN ONE
Autocar UK

WHOLE IN ONE

The Volkswagen Golf has been all things to all motorists for half a century. At the wheel of a classic Mk1, VICKY PARROTT charts the eight-generation history of one of the world's most successful cars

time-read
7 dak  |
November 27, 2024
DACIA DUSTER
Autocar UK

DACIA DUSTER

Mk3 model gains digital tech, ADAS, slicker looks... Is this mission creep?

time-read
10 dak  |
November 27, 2024
MAZDA CX-80 PHEV
Autocar UK

MAZDA CX-80 PHEV

Another look at Mazda's hefty SUV, this time in plug-in hybrid form

time-read
2 dak  |
November 27, 2024
VAUXHALL GRANDLAND ELECTRIC
Autocar UK

VAUXHALL GRANDLAND ELECTRIC

Newcomer looks to ease the average family SUV driver into EV motoring

time-read
2 dak  |
November 27, 2024
BMW X3 20 XDRIVE
Autocar UK

BMW X3 20 XDRIVE

Fourth generation of brand's best-seller arrives with base petrol engine

time-read
3 dak  |
November 27, 2024