Britain to introduce $2.5 billion package to help switch to EVs
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The Electric Car Grant scheme had helped more than 35,000 drivers make the switch to an EV by cutting upfront costs by up to £3,750.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Britain’s government is expected to introduce a £1.5 billion (S$2.5 billion) package to accelerate a switch to electric vehicles (EVs), it said, including an extra £1.3 billion for a grant scheme to buy new electric cars.
The government said that since its launch in July, the Electric Car Grant scheme had helped more than 35,000 drivers make the switch to an EV by cutting upfront costs by up to £3,750.
The budget, due on Nov 26, is also expected to unveil an additional £200 million to accelerate the rollout of charge-points across Britain, the government said.
As part of a wider goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Britain wants to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. But demand for EVs has stalled, with consumers citing high upfront costs as the main barrier.
The opposition Conservative Party criticised the move.
“Ordinary families are facing increased taxes and spiralling inflation under Labour, yet the government’s priority is handing out discounts on new electric cars,” said Mr Richard Holden, the Conservatives’ transport policy chief.
“This is exactly the kind of tone-deaf, big-spending nonsense that we expect from this Labour government.” REUTERS
