As sales of electric and hybrid vehicles rise by a third over 2015, the government may review the plug-in grant that incentivises buyers
Audi A3 e-tron Sportback (Image: Audi)
The government may review its plug-in vehicle grant for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVS) due to the high uptake of cars that qualify for the scheme.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show a total of 3352 ULEV vehicles have been registered so far this year – a rise of 37.2% compared with 2015.
It has been reported that more than 11,000 applications for grants were received in February alone, prompting speculation that the government could change its plug-in grant scheme.
While the government has already pledged to continue offering the grant until 2018, a review of the service is planned for next year. A Department for Transport spokesman told Autocar that the government was
“constantly monitoring the market for changes. If the new tier system shows a large change in sales we may need to look at it to ensure the £400 million pot of taxpayer’s money is spent in the right way.”
Read more: Autocar