Drivers handed low-carbon incentive

25 February 2010

The Government has announced a new incentive to encourage drivers to purchase ultra-low carbon cars.

From the beginning of next year, the Government is to make a grant available which will give motorists a 25% discount up to a maximum of £5,000 for the new "green" vehicles.

The drive is part of a £450 million initiative to cut the UK's carbon emissions and support the roll out of low-carbon cars.

The grant towards the cost of the low carbon vehicles will be open to both private and business fleet buyers.

To be eligible for the scheme, cars will have to pass performance criteria to ensure safety, range and ultra-low exhaust emissions.

Furthermore, £30 million is to be made available over the next three years to create a network of electric vehicle hubs - called Plugged-In Places - which will allow drivers of electric vehicles to recharge their cars at car parks, supermarkets, retail centres and on the street.

The first Plugged-In Places have been named as London, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire and north-east England.

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