UK to give up to £5000 for ultra low carbon vehicles

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Mitsubishi, Tesla Motors, Legislation and Policy, UK

Would-be buyers, both individuals and businesses, of certain low emission vehicles in the UK will be offered a sweet incentive starting in 2011. How does 25 percent off the purchase price, up to £5,000 ($7,618 at today’s rates), sound to you? The fiscal inducement will be available for purchases of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), hydrogen-fueled vehicles and battery-powered electrics (BEVs) that meet emissions, performance and safety criteria. The barriers to the bounty include a CO2 output of no more than 75 grams per kilometer. As well, BEVs must have a range of 70 miles (113 kilometers) while PHEVs need to be capable of at least 10 miles (16 km) before the petrol starts burning. All vehicles must be capable of reaching 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour), come with at least a three-year warranty and meet crash standards.

With £230 million ($350.4 million) in the program that runs until 2014, the line-up of people ready to take advantage of extra cash at purchase time may find themselves facing a small choice of vehicles. When things kick off next January, the menu will consist of Mitsubishi i MiEVs and Tesla Roadsters (if there are even Roadsters still available). As the year progresses, the number of choices is expected to expand with the Nissan Leaf becoming available in March and market entrances may be made by the Reva NXR and the Opel Ampera. The program will be reviewed one year after its implementation and any changes deemed necessary will go into effect by April of 2012. Hit the jump for bonus videos of Britain’s ITV News’ take on electric cars featuring (mostly) Mitsubishi’s Japanese jellybean.

[Source: Guardian / Department for Transport]

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UK to give up to £5000 for ultra low carbon vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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