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Written by Faarea Masud, a BBC Business reporter, the article discusses the government’s new grants aimed at reducing the cost of electric cars in the UK. The discounts, ranging from £1,500 to £3,750, will apply to eligible vehicles priced up to £37,000. The Department for Transport (DfT) highlighted that environmentally friendly vehicles would see the most significant reductions. Carmakers can begin applying for funding starting Wednesday, and the RAC anticipates discounted cars to hit dealerships within weeks.
With the government’s commitment to ban the sale of new petrol or diesel cars and vans by 2030, the grants to lower EV costs are part of a £650 million scheme set to last three years. While there are currently 1.3 million electric cars on UK roads, the limited availability of public charging points (around 82,000) remains a concern. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently announced a £63 million investment towards expanding EV charging infrastructure to address this issue.
Although the government views these grants as a means to bolster the automotive sector and help working families save money, there are contrasting views on the practicality of electric vehicles. While some drivers, like Paul Cole, find that EVs offer long-term savings and environmental benefits, others such as Jimmy Kim question the economic viability of switching. With incentives like tax breaks for EV users within company car schemes and government grants, the transition to electric vehicles continues to be a topic of both enthusiasm and skepticism.
In the context of increasing consumer demand and critical infrastructure development, industry stakeholders like Vauxhall’s managing director, Steve Catlin, stress the importance of more charging points and ongoing consumer education. Despite the ongoing debate and challenges, the government’s move to make electric vehicles more accessible and affordable is seen as a crucial step towards a greener future by proponents of sustainable transportation
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