There is widespread shock and surprise in the car industry this morning as the Department for Transport said all grants for new electric vehicles (EVs) have been scrapped.
The automotive industry and motoring groups criticized the decision, with the AA warning that many motorists being forced to wait for a new EV due to global supply constraints will lose out. [bold, links added]
The government has scrapped the £1,500 grants for purchases of new electric cars, on the same day fuel prices reached new records.
The average price of a liter of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 185.4p ($2.23).
This is an increase of 6.9p (8 cents) in just a week and follows a 10p (12 cents) hike in petrol prices in May.
Concerns over prices at the pumps have led to the Competition and Markets Authority launching a review of the retail market, with Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng raising concerns that the five pence fuel duty cuts are not being passed on to consumers.
Drivers could previously claim up to £1,500 ($1,826) toward the cost of a plug-in car costing below £32,000 ($38,944).
But the DfT said the “success” of the Plug-in Car Grant means the Government will now “refocus” the funding to encourage users of other vehicles to make the switch to electric. …snip…
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK will be banned from 2030.
Read rest at City AM
The UK canceling subsidies for electric vehicles is one of the few good news items. Electric vehicles should have to compete on a free open market. Such subsidies are a gift to the upper middle class and the wealthy provided by the taxes of lower income families.
The EV boondoggle one of the biggest scams ever perpatraited upon mankind and all over totaly fake crisis of Global Warming/Climate Change