Motorists can beat fuel price hikes and taxes
As New Year fuel price and VAT rate increases hit motorists, SMMT has set out ways in which motorists can make their money go further. When buying a new vehicle, buying the cleanest new technologies, using government incentives for low carbon cars and considering VED bands are just some of the ways to get long-term value.
“With a greater focus than ever on fuel efficiency and low carbon transportation, 2011 is set to be a year in which savvy motorists choose a new vehicle that works in their favour, saving them money and delivering innovative new technology,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “New petrol and diesel engines provide astonishing mpg figures, while electric vehicles are now a reality, so buyers of new vehicles can beat rising fuel prices and taxes by clever shopping.”
New cars emit 20% less CO2 on average than a car bought in 2000 and the lowest emitting vehicles in every vehicle class perform between 26% and 42% better than their class average. Also, with the introduction of pure electric and hybrid electric vehicles, plus groundbreaking enhancements to petrol and diesel engines, there has never been a wider choice of fuel-efficient, cost-effective vehicles.
Plug-In Car Grant
Motorists can now benefit from the ‘Plug-In Car Grant’ of up to £5,000 when buying any qualifying low carbon car with CO2 emissions less than 75g/km. Free from VED, costing an average of £0.03 per mile to fuel and, in some locations, benefitting from free parking and congestion charge exemption, the case for electric vehicles (EVs) is strong.
Across the country, under government’s ‘Plugged-In Places’ scheme, EV drivers will benefit from the installation of over 15,000 charging points in the East of England, Greater Manchester, London, Midlands, Milton Keynes, North East England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Accelerated by the welcome government announcement that installations will not need planning permission, the UK charging infrastructure is set to offer motorists a comprehensive refuelling network in the coming years.
The Plugged-In Places scheme is developing a nationwide network of EV charging points on streets and in public car parks, retail outlets and office car parks to ensure EVs can be refuelled quickly and conveniently.
London Congestion Charge
Cars which emit 100g/km or less of CO2 and that meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality now qualify for a 100% discount from the London Congestion Charge. Additionally, pure electric, plug-in hybrid EVs and vehicles with more than nine seats are eligible for the discount. This update to the Congestion Charge rules also saw the removal of the Western Extension.
CO2 labels
New car buyers can make comparisons of CO2 levels, mpg data and VED rates by referring to the new car CO2 label displayed by manufactures in new car dealerships. This useful tool is also becoming an increasingly influential tool in the used car arena, as motorists consider the full life costs of vehicle ownership alongside the initial purchase price.
Motorists can check VED rates, CO2 information and fuel economy figures at vcacarfueldata.org.ukand will find answers to countless EV questions in the Electric Car Guide at smmt.co.uk/publications.