The UK government is set to reduce the £5000 plug-in car grant in 19 months from now and spread the incentive more broadly across hydrogen and natural gas vehicles as part of its new publication Driving the future today - a strategy for ultra low emission vehicles in the UK.
Hydrogen vehicles will go on sale from 2015, with annual UK sales expected to reach 10,000 per year in 2020 (although this is likely to be an optimistic forecast).
Hydrogen vehicles will go on sale from 2015, with annual UK sales expected to reach 10,000 per year in 2020 (although this is likely to be an optimistic forecast).
The strategy sets out government’s 5 main aims.
Supporting the early market for ULEVs (ultra low emission vehicles):
- through plug in grants or other consumer incentives – providing certainty for investors and consumers;
- by raising awareness of the benefits with a government and manufacturer-run campaign
- by encouraging higher uptake in the public sector
Shaping the necessary infrastructure:
- by providing investment for the installation of chargepoints in homes, railway stations and public sector car parks and rapid charge points for longer journeys
- exploring options for a new network of hydrogen refuelling stations to support introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles in the UK
Securing the right regulatory and fiscal measures:
- by maintaining tax incentives for the purchase of ULEVs until at least 2020
- clarifying the tax position on ULEVs and providing more information for fleet managers on costs
- working to secure ambitious but realistic EU emissions targets
Investing in UK automotive capability:
- by working with the Automotive Council to develop and strengthen theULEV supply chain and discussing with industry on where to target research and development funding
- by working with partners to maximise the benefits for the UK from the move to ULEVs
- by offering £10 million prize to develop a new long-life battery for next generation ULEVs
Preparing the energy sector:
- by ensuring the forthcoming national household roll-out of smart meters will support plug-in vehicle charging
The government has more than 2 years’ experience of providing the Plug-in Car and Van Grants, the plugged-in places programme, investment in R&Din the ULEV sector and participating in the UKH2Mobility project. Each of these programmes has helped to inform the development of this strategy. We are publishing a number of research outputs alongside this strategy which summarise the key evidence that has emerged from many of these programmes, including:
- Assessing the role of the plug-in car grant and plugged-in places scheme in electric vehicle take-up, published 4 September 2013
- Lessons learnt from the plugged-in places projects, published 4 September 2013
- High level analysis of the plugged-in places chargepoint usage data, published 4 September 2013
- ultra low carbon vehicle demonstrator programme, TSB 2013
