cChancellor Jeremy Hunt “missed a huge opportunity” to boost sagging electric vehicle (EV) sales in this month's spring budget, critics have said.
The chancellor ignored industry calls to introduce more incentives for private buyers of electric vehicles, including halving VAT on sales of new electric vehicles; reduce VAT on public charge to 5 percent and eliminate new bands that would force electric vehicle owners to pay vehicle excise taxes from 2025.
Manufacturers say a lack of incentives for private buyers will make it increasingly difficult for carmakers to meet the strict targets set out in the Government's Zero Electric Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, with a Fiat UK spokesperson calling the “hugely disappointing” budget.
James Taylor, managing director of Vauxhall UK, called on the chancellor to put in place purchasing incentives to “stimulate the electric vehicle market”, adding: “While there are strong incentives for company car drivers to switch to electric vehicles electric vehicles, including those who choose luxury vehicles, vehicles: the private buyer who wants a more affordable small or family car receives nothing.”
We want to know what kind of incentives on the private purchase of electric vehicles would encourage you to make the switch. Would a VAT reduction on public charging or the purchase of a new electric vehicle be attractive proposals?
At the other end of the scale, is the introduction of the EV tax deterring you from taking the plunge? And if you already own an electric vehicle, what incentives could the government introduce to make it cheaper to run?
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