Electric car buyers in the UK are being offered richer incentives, but many are wondering what the catch might be.
Next week’s Budget is expected to add another £1.3 billion (RM7.1bil) to the Electric Car Grant, taking total support to almost £2 billion (RM11bil) since the summer, according to a BBC report.
The scheme, launched in July with £650m (RM3.6bil), gives up to £3,750 (RM20,470) off eligible models and has already helped about 35,000 drivers into EVs.
On paper, that sounds like good news for anyone eyeing a switch. But research by non-profit organisation New AutoMotive, cited by the BBC, suggests the grant has not yet widened the market.
EVs covered by the scheme made up 23.8% of new registrations in September, exactly the same share as before the discount was introduced.
So buyers who were already convinced get a welcome saving, while those still hesitating may not feel any closer to plugging in.
Charging remains a key concern.
The Budget is also expected to set aside £200 million (RM1bil) to speed up the rollout of public chargepoints.
Zapmap counts almost 87,000 points at around 44,000 locations, from supermarket car parks to lamppost chargers, but many would-be owners still worry about queues, reliability and access for homes without driveways.
On top of that, EV drivers could soon face a new bill. Ministers are looking at a pay-per-mile tax from 2028 to replace falling fuel duty, the BBC reports.
For current and future EV owners, the message is mixed: more help at the showroom today, with the prospect of new road charges further down the line.
