Department for Transport (DfT) has announced plans to slash the incentives available to those buying plug-in hybrid vehicles as it focuses on pure electric models.
Buyers of vehicles which emit less than 50 grams/km of CO2 and have a zero-emission range of at least 70 miles will see the grant they are eligible for reduced by 22 percent to 3,500 pounds.
Those purchasing cars emitting up to 75 grams/km of CO2 but with a lower zero-emission range will no longer be eligible for such support under plans due to come into force next month.
“With plug-in hybrid models like the Mitsubishi Outlander becoming popular among consumers the government is focussing its attention to zero emission models such as the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3,” the government said in a statement.
Meanwhile, motoring groups have expressed concern over the development.
The AA’s head of roads policy, Jack Cousens, said: “The government wants to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars, but scrapping grants for low emission cars may well stall their progress. This announcement will simply put more drivers off from buying greener cars.”
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