The UK is leading the way in ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) sales according to the latest figures, beating beating both France and Germany for take up of the green technology.
Sales of ULEVs in the UK have blossomed since the Government introduced the plug-in car and plug-in van grant, with over 25,000 claims being submitted since the scheme launched in 2010. There was a fourfold increase in ULEV sales in 2014 compared to the previous year, while this year got off to a blistering start with almost 2,000 plug-in car grant claims submitted during January.
"More and more people are deciding a ULEV is the right choice for them,” said Transport Minister Baroness Kramer. “They are great to drive, easily chargeable at home or on the street, and cheap to use with running costs from just 2 pence a mile. The government’s £500 million investment will help more models become available to suit a wide range of budgets. This thriving industry will support jobs and build a stronger economy."
However, with an increasing number of ULEVs available on the UK market – there are currently 25 cars and vans eligible for the plug-in grant but a further 40 are expected to follow in the next three years – the Government is tightening the criteria for its grant scheme. From this April eligible vehicles must fall into one of the following three categories – CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and a zero emission range of at least 70 miles, CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and a zero emission range between 10 and 69 miles, or CO2 emissions of 50-75g/km and a zero emission range of at least 20 miles.
The up-to-£5,000 grant scheme will continue until 2017 unless the maximum total of 50,000 grants is reached in the meantime.
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