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Alphabet: Budget 2014 needs to encourage EV interest

Image of John Simpson
Author: | Updated: 18 Mar 2014 13:09

Chancellor George Osborne needs to confirm the future of Government incentives for electric vehicles in his UK Budget this week.

That’s the view of ?Jon Burdekin, Head of Consultancy Services at mobility provider Alphabet.

Currently, the government offers a £5,000 grant off the price of a plug-in car and a £8,000 discount off a plug-in van, which Mr Burdekin believes has helped stimulate interest in EVs.

Currently, the government offers a £5,000 grant off the price of a plug-in car, Alphabet's Burdekin wants more like that in this week's Budget

Registrations of pure electric cars are up by more than 530% in the first two months of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, and Jon hopes this week’s Budget, to be revealed Wednesday lunchtime, includes measures that will encourage more drivers and fleet managers.

He said: “While we do hear occasional concerns from customers about what will happen if and when Government incentives and subsidies are removed, the overall response to EVs from the corporate and public sectors is positive.

“With a focus on encouraging green behaviour and a strong emphasis on reducing air pollution, the continuation of grants to encourage further electric vehicle take up, along with investment in the charging infrastructure is needed to encourage more drivers and fleet managers to explore EVs with confidence.”

Disinterest

A survey published today found that half of company car drivers wouldn’t consider an electric vehicle as their next company car.

He concluded: “It will be interesting to see where the Government chooses to apply incentives in order to achieve maximum return on investment.

“However, it is encouraging that they already seem to recognise the importance that the fleet sector will have in shaping the future of EVs.”

Burdekin concludes: “It will be interesting to see where the Government chooses to apply incentives in order to achieve maximum return on investment. However, it is encouraging that they already seem to recognise the importance that the fleet sector will have in shaping the future of EVs.”

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