Sales of electric cars and other plug-in vehicles in the UK “continue to rapidly increase, with a record number of people taking advantage of government grants”, claimed the Department of Transport in a statement on Monday.
The plug-in car grant reduces the price of ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) by up to GBP5,000 for cars and GBP8,000 for vans, making them more affordable for the public and businesses.
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Between July and September 2014, over 5,000 grants were provided, more than double the number than in the previous three months and almost a third of all grants since the scheme was launched in 2010. There are now over 17,000 grant funded ULEVs on the UK’s roads.
All new vehicles will have some kind of ULEV element by 2040. There has been a steady rise in the number of people taking up low emission vehicles, as more models become available and the nationwide network of charging points continues to expand. Driving costs are as low as 2p per mile, the DoT said.
The plug-in car grant is one of a range of government measures in place to encourage uptake with a further GBP500m to be spent by the government in the industry between 2015 and 2020.
A website supported by government and industry, provides advice and information on ULEVs, including a guide that matches those using the site with the vehicle that most closely matches their needs.
