New data seen exclusively by the Express has revealed the 10 areas most affected by Andy Burnham's £40 electric vehicle (EV) handout. The Greater Manchester Mayor cut VAT rates on domestic electricity from October 1, reducing fees from 5% to 0%. This has had a knock-on effect for electric car owners who charge their vehicles on driveways or off-street parking spaces, slashing costs for motorists.
Since the update, EV owners have been able to charge for as little as 7p per kWh or around 2p per mile. Experts at Andersen EV suggested high-mileage drivers could save as much as £40 per year under the new plan.
Areas with Highest Off-Street Parking Access
Data from the Open Road Partnership, comprising Vertu Motors, United Rental Group, Zenith, and Enterprise Mobility, has uncovered the areas most set to benefit. The study found areas with the highest amount of off-street parking in the UK where more than 80% of homes can access the cheaper rate without installing cross-pavement parking solutions.
According to the analysis, Mr Burnham's own constituency of Makerfield tops the list, with 86.9% of homes enjoying access to off-street parking. Rawmarsh and Conisbrough follows at 85.9%, tied with Rotherham and St Helens North, while Alyn and Deeside stands at 85.7%.
Full List of Top 10 Areas
- Makerfield - 86.9%
- Rawmarsh and Conisbrough - 85.9%
- Rotherham - 85.9%
- St Helens North - 85.9%
- Alyn and Deeside - 85.7%
- Doncaster Central - 85.1%
- Normanton and Hemsworth - 84.3%
- Leigh and Atherton - 83.6%
- Cheadle - 83.5%
- Knowlesy - 83.3%
However, even in the top areas for access, more than one in 10 houses do not enjoy the driveway or off-street parking benefit. Labour has cut red tape on cross-pavement solutions such as pavement gullies, but motorists still need local permission to fit cables under their footpath.
Industry Reaction and Future Outlook
Speaking exclusively to the Express, Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors, said: "People's ability to switch to electric vehicles varies hugely across the country, with millions still facing very real barriers around affordability, charging and access. Yet the industry is being forced towards a one-size-fits-all target that assumes the market is ready everywhere at the same time. It simply isn't."
VAT updates were extended by Chancellor John Healey until next summer. Many had called on Healey to slash VAT on public charging rates, which currently sits at 20%, although this was not acted on in the Budget.
