UK's Electric Vehicle grant extended until March 2018 

Around 50,000 people have taken advantage of the plug in vehicles grant since its introduction in 2011, with the choice of available qualifying vehicles in the UK growing fivefold.

The latest extension of the grant is aimed to boost public buy-in to hybrid and electric vehicles over the next few years even further, and promises a financial incentive of up to £4,500 for those that qualify. Transport Minister Andrew Jones said the extension would mean more than 100,000 extra people would gain access to the grant.

"We are determined to keep Britain at the forefront of the technology," said Jones "increasing our support for plug-in vehicles to £600 million over the next 5 years to cut emissions, create jobs and support our cutting-edge industries.”

Starting March 2016, EV and Hybrid cars will be categorised, resulting in two levels of the grant. Cars like the Nissan Leaf with a zero-emissions range of over 70 miles (Category 1), can receive a grant of £4500. Cars with a zero-emissions range less than 70 miles (Category 2 and 3), will qualify for £2500.

The government will also continue to provide grants to help EV owners install charging points in their own homes. The level of this funding currently stands at £700, although it will drop to £500 from March 2016.

Reflecting on the extension of the grants, Nissan GB managing director Jim Wright said: "Today’s decision by government has reaffirmed their commitment to the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. This announcement, together with ongoing infrastructure developments, should see the growth and wider deployment of this technology continue.”

TThe Nissan LEAF is currently available at Desira for just £170pm

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