Electric car grants to improve UK air quality

The government has announced that drivers will be able to get grants if they purchase one of nine green cars in a bid to improve the air quality in the UK.

Yesterday (December 14th 2010), transport secretary Phil Hammond and business minister Mark Prisk revealed that new owners of nine electric and ultra-low emission cars will be able to receive up to £5,000 from January 1st 2011.

The finance is being given to reduce the cost of the green vehicles for motorists and encourage more people to use low-emission cars to improve local air quality.

In addition to this, the government plans to put extra electric vehicle recharging points in streets, car parks and retail centres across five more regions in the UK.

Mr Hammond said: "Action to support affordable vehicles and more local charging points means we are on the threshold of an exciting green revolution - 2011 could be remembered as the year the electric car took off."

Neil Wallis, head of communications for the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, said that financial motivations, such as savings on fuel costs and tax deductions, are likely to encourage more people to choose environmentally-friendly cars.

Posted by Claire manning