The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (EAMA) have reported that sales of electric cars in the UK are being affected by the governments’ decision to cut the grant for buyers of ‘green’ vehicles. The grant for buyers of electric cars was cut from £4,500 to £3,500 in the Autumn of 2018. Possibly, caused by the financial vulnerability that the ever awaiting Brexit imposes on people.
EAMA have stated that the demand for electric powered vehicles in the UK has been ‘sluggish’. EU motorists are said to have bought ‘twice as many’ eco-friendly cars as British drivers in 2018. Compared to their less resource efficient counterparts, running on petrol and diesel, electric cars tend to cost more to purchase. However, over the course of 4 years, electric cars are ultimately cheaper to own and run.
The looming worry of Brexit could be effecting peoples choices when making the decision on which car to purchase. People may be choosing the fossil fuel powered cars because they seem cheaper, without looking at the bigger picture.
Quote from Nigel Holland:
“A government incentive to purchase an electric powered vehicle would make a switch to more eco friendly travel a lot easier. These cuts to grants make people less likely to feel like they can afford the switch.”