The office of low emission vehicles has confirmed that it will extend the current plug-in grant offered to electric vehicles out to February 2016 at a minimum.
The news means that consumers can continue to receive a grant towards purchasing a plug-in vehicle; up to £5,000 for electric cars and up to £8,000 for electric vans.
The announcement guarantees those levels of support past the milestone of 50,000 grants, which the government had said was the milestone at which it would look at the levels offered. Government expects the industry to hit the 50,000 milestone in November 2015.
Commenting on the news transport minister, Andrew Jones said: “I’m pleased to announce today that the government is maintaining the current levels of grant, even as we move past the milestone of 50,000 vehicles. The UK is now the fastest growing market for electric vehicles in Europe. We will continue to invest to help make this technology affordable to everyone and to secure the UK’s position as a global leader.”
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, welcomed the extension of the grant, noting that it was “essential that government continues to provide effective incentives for their uptake”. He added: “With British buyers taking to ultra-low emission vehicles faster than anyone else in Europe, the extension of the plug-in car grant is good news.”