The UK government has ended the £1,500 plug-in grant for electric cars with immediate effect, drawing sharp criticism from motoring groups and industry bodies. The Department for Transport said funding would be redirected to improving public charging infrastructure and supporting electric vans, taxis, and motorcycles.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the move 'sends the wrong message' to motorists and an industry committed to net-zero goals. Chief executive Mike Hawes noted the UK is now the only major European market without upfront purchase incentives for electric car buyers, despite having the most ambitious uptake targets.
The RAC warned the decision could 'stifle' the ambition to shift most people into electric cars, while the AA said the grant had been essential for many drivers making the switch. The grant, first introduced in 2011, has supported nearly 500,000 electric car purchases over the past decade.
The government plans to introduce a 'zero emissions vehicle mandate' that will fine manufacturers failing to meet electric vehicle sales quotas, shifting responsibility from subsidies to penalties. Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said the scheme had successfully kickstarted the electric car market and would now focus on other vehicle types.
