Now that the Government has unwisely reduced the grants available to help people switch to EVs, to the horror of many in the business, car makers are falling over themselves to ensure that their customers aren’t hit too hard by the ridiculous decision.
Citroen, MG, VW and Skoda are amongst those all rushing out statements to underline the fact that some of their range will still qualify for the grant, now dropped from £3,000 to £2,500.
But many manufacturers could not hide their displeasure at what is widely seen as the Government shooting itself in the foot.
Eurig Druce, Citroen UK’s MD, said he was disappointed to hear that the support for consumers to switch to a low emission vehicle had been reduced, but stressed that the Citroen e-C4 qualifies for the full (reduced) Plug in Car Grant.
Over at Skoda, the all-electric Enyaq iV also attracts the full £2,500 grant, as does VW’s e-up! and ID.3
MG, meanwhile, said it will keep the full £3,000 grant until the end of March despite the Government cutting it immediately. MG EVs qualify for the grant as they are all priced under the £35,000 threshold.
MG’s Guy Pigounakis acknowledged that some customers will have chosen their MG before the grant drop was announced, hoping to take advantage of the full £3,000 then available, so MG has “decided to honour that for all purchasers who order a new MG ZS Electric or MG5 EV for delivery before the end of this month.”
Good for them.