UK’s New 25% Electric Car Grant

Added by James Morley on December 16, 2010

Nine models of electric and ultra-low emission cars will be eligible for an eco-grant that could see their price reduced by 25 per cent, say UK ministers.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and Business Minister Mark Prisk announced the Plug-In Car Grant that will give purchasers up to £5,000 (US$7,880) off the price of the eligible cars.

The grant will be available to UK motorists as of January 1, 2011 in a move that will make 2011 “the year of the electric car for the UK,” said Hammond and Prisk.

The government will also encourage street, car park, commercial and retail outlet recharging points for electrical vehicles.

The Midlands; Greater Manchester; East of England; Scotland and Northern Ireland have already successfully bid for a share of the £20 million (US$31.5 million) allocated to local charge point installations.

Hammond said: “Government action to support affordable vehicles and more local charging points means we are on the threshold of an exciting green revolution.”

The cars that are included under the car grant scheme are Mitsubishi iMiEV; smart fortwo electric drive; Peugeot iON; Citroen CZero; Nissan Leaf; Tata Vista EV; Toyota Prius Plug-in; Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt.

Other models are expected to be added next year.