UK Government Announces £2000 - £5000 Electric and Hybrid Car Incentives

Motorists in the UK could receive financial incentives between £2,000 and £5,000 to buy electric and plug-in hybrid cars from 2011, the Government has announced as it attempts to 'kick start' the green car industry over the next five years. The strategy also includes plans to provide £20 million for charging points and related infrastructure to help develop a network of 'electric car cities' throughout the UK and an expansion of an electric and ultra-low carbon car demonstration project on the UK's roads.

"The scale of incentives we're announcing today will mean that an electric car is a real option for motorists as well as helping to make the UK a world leader in low carbon transport," said Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon.

"Cutting road transport CO₂ emissions is a key element to tackling climate change. Less than 0.1% of the UK's 26 million cars are electric, so there is a huge untapped potential to reduce emissions," he concluded.