More than 25,000 plug-in car and plug-in van grant claims have been submitted since the scheme began in 2010, according to figures released by the Government.
The Government says this indicates that the “popularity of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) continues to rise sharply”. ULEV sales in 2014 were four times higher than the previous year and the UK is now ahead of France and Germany in ULEV take-up.
There are currently 25 car models and seven van models eligible for the Government’s plug-in grant and a further 40 ULEV models from major manufacturers are expected to come to market over the next three years.
To take account of rapidly developing technology, and the growing range of ULEVs on the market, the criteria for the plug-in car grant are being updated.
From April 2015, eligible ULEVs must meet criteria in one of three categories depending on emission levels and zero-emission-capable mileage: category 1, CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and a zero emission range of at least 70 miles; category 2, CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and a zero emission range between 10 and 69 miles; and category 3, CO2 emissions of 50-75g/km and a zero emission range of at least 20 miles.
The new categories are designed to better reflect the range of vehicles on the market and make them accessible to the widest range of people.
Vehicles in all categories will continue to be eligible for the full grant of up to £5,000, until either 50,000 grants are issued or 2017, whichever is first.
Any avoidable death is tragic, previous acquaintance with royalty is irrelevant in this respect. But owning and driving a vehicle requires a minimum level of competence. To damn an electric vehicle in this way also requires petrol filling stations to be damned for the same hazard – something you can trip over if you don’t take reasonable care. And why stop there? Dogs on leads, vacuum cleaner cables, milk bottles left on pavements, what we’re talking about here is a manageable trip hazard not a defect in a vehicle. Idris’s post tells me all I need to know about “Fight Back With Facts”.
Tim Philpot, Wolverhampton
0
Electric cars can be fatal. A few years ago an elderly lady, formerly personal assistant to Princess Grace of Monaco but by then living in London, tripped over the charging lead of her G Whiz (inherently a dangerous car, I believe), broke her hip and died in hospital from the consequences.
Sales may be rising but numbers remain utterly trivial, despite the enforced cash transfer from taxpayers to better off people who can afford what is usually a second if not a third car,
Idris Francis Fight Back With Facts Petersfield
0
Its good to see Road Safety being perceived as far more than direct casualties from traffic collisions, but also the wider and indirect effect of road use through emissions.
I look forward to this continuing as greater understanding and links are made between the ways motor vehicles are used on the roads and how this effects wider public health.
This will be an important element of the forthcoming “20mph – It’s miles better” conference with presentations from public health professionals, academics and transport commentators. See
http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/20mph_it's_miles_better.htm
for more information
Rod King, 20’s Plenty for Us
0