Shot in the arm for plug-in vehicles

The government has agreed to extend the plug-in car grant until 2017, or until 50,000 grants have been issued, whichever comes 1st.

The move comes at a time when eco-friendly plug-in electric cars are gaining in reputation.

Sales have been up practically 4fold in 2014 to 14,498, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Accurate, cars that run on option fuel still make up only a tiny proportion of the total car sales last year of a lot more than 2.5 million, but you can spot the trend.

Taken for granted

The plug-in automobile grant was introduced in 2010 to encourage much more motorists to opt for a car with low or no emissions. It was scheduled to finish in Could 2015, so the £200m extension is welcome news for fans of option fuel.

The term ‘plug-in’ applies to any auto that can be charged by electricity.

It involves electric automobiles that run solely on batteries, as effectively as plug-in hybrids that use a petrol or a diesel engine combined with a battery that plugs into the mains.

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Green and imply

Low emissions are the big attraction of electric and plug-in automobiles. But low running charges widen their appeal.

Some models, for example, expense as tiny as 2p a mile to maintain on the road.

The choice of automobiles is also getting wider. At the moment, about 25 models are eligible for the grant, including the Nissan Leaf, Vauxhall Ampera and Toyota Prius Plug-in.

Model behaviour

But the number of plug-in vehicles coming onto the industry is expanding, as the technologies develops. Over the subsequent 3 years, a additional 40 models are expected to hit the showrooms.

In other words, plug-in cars are quick becoming a credible alternative to regular automobiles. With more than 7,000 public charge points, you don’t have to worry also a lot about running out of energy, either.

The government also hopes to boost the quantity of charge points thanks to an injection of about £30 million of extra cash.

5-grand gesture

The plug-in grant is worth 25% off the price of a car, up to a maximum of £5,000. The expense is the complete purchase price tag which includes quantity plates, car excise duty and VAT.

It does not, nonetheless, incorporate any optional extras such as delivery charges.

You do not even have to place in a claim for the grant. Alternatively, the car dealer completes the paperwork and automatically deducts the cash from the value of the auto.

You may well be asked to fill in a quick questionnaire, but it’s a little cost to pay.

Van extraordinaire

Do not forget that you can also qualify for the grant if you drive a plug-in van. The subsidy, though, is a little various at 20% off the expense of a van, up to a maximum of £8,000.

Shot in the arm for plug-in vehicles