Government unveils green car scheme

Apr 17 2009

The government has launched new plans aimed at encouraging more people to drive environmentally-friendly cars.

Ministers have unveiled an incentive scheme designed to get more motorists driving electric vehicles, which do not produce any carbon emissions.

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon said: "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."

His views were supported by business secretary Lord Mandelson, who added: "We want the British motor industry to be a leader in the low carbon future and government must direct and support this through what I call new industrial activism."

As well as providing financial incentives for motorists to switch vehicles, the scheme also includes £20 million to begin developing the infrastructure needed to support electric cars, such as charging points.

The development could see more people trading in their old vehicles, increasing the availability of used cars in the market.

A recent study from Clean Green Cars has claimed the amount of carbon dioxide produced by vehicles has fallen drastically in recent months.

Average new vehicle carbon emissions fell by 4.5 per cent during the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period in 2008, the publication said.

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