The Government has revealed the final list of nine vehicles eligible for the Plug-in Car Grants which are set to be introduced in the UK from the New Year.
In total, nine alternative fuel vehicles consisting of full electric and plug-in hybrid models will qualify for Government grants worth up to £5,000. Buyers of these vehicles will be entitled to 25 per cent off the purchase price up to a maximum of £5,000.
From January 1, 2011, motorists will be able to buy a Mitsubishi i-MiEV, smart fortwo electric drive or a Peugeot Ion through the scheme. Shortly after, the Nissan Leaf, Tata Vista and Citroen C-Zero will arrive in the UK, with their buyers also able to qualify for the grants. These first batch of battery electric cars will be followed by the UK arrival of plug-in hybrid models; the Vauxhall Ampera, Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt set for release in 2012, if grants are still available by this time, they too will qualify.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and Business Minister Mark Prisk has today also revealed the successful bids for a second round of funding for the installation of electric car charging points. Plugged-in Places funding will now go to the Midlands, Greater Manchester, East of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland which will share a £20 million funding pot. These areas join round one winners London, Milton Keynes and North East England, which plan to install over 11,000 charging posts across the three regions by 2013.
Government will continue to receive applications from vehicle manufacturers for more cars to be eligible for the Plug-In Car Grant and another round of eligible vehicles will be announced next year.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said:"Today's news that motorists will be able to choose from at least nine cars under the consumer incentive scheme and that we are expanding the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles will further reinforce the message that the UK is Europe's leading producer of ultra-low carbon vehicles.
Vehicles eligible for the Plug-In Car Grant:
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
smart fortwo electric drive
Peugeot iOn
Nissan Leaf
Tata Vista
Citroen CZero
Vauxhall Ampera
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
Chevrolet Volt
More information available at: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/olev.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
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