The electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar has reacted to the Government’s announcement that it is to introduce a grant for motorists looking to install a home charger.
The Department for Transport’s (DfT) Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant allows motorists to reduce the cost of a home charger by up to 75 percent.
Jonathan Goodman, head of electric car brand at Polestar UK & Ireland, stated that the new grant is likely to encourage more drivers to switch to an EV.
He explained: “It’s fantastic to see that the Government is taking strides with new incentives to help encourage the transition to electric vehicles.
“The expansion of balancing access to infrastructure for all no matter where you live is essential in alleviating charging anxiety and facilitating convenient experiences for EV drivers nationwide.”
The scheme has recently expanded to include on-street chargers for motorists who cannot park on a driveway, with applicants needing to request permission from their local council and relevant third parties.
Nevertheless, this is not the first time that the Government has offered the public an incentive to switch from a fossil fuel-powered car to an electric alternative.
A previous grant cut the cost of any new electric vehicle by £5,000. However, the scheme was dropped as the uptake of EVs increased.
Nevertheless, Jonathan noted that more action needs to be taken ahead of the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035.
Like many motoring experts, he was anticipating that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt would announce a VAT cut for public charging, making EV ownership more affordable.
He added: “We now need to see a reduction in VAT on public charging to bring it in line with home charging.”
Paul Tomlinson, co-founder of the electric vehicle charging company Cord, warned that not taking action on reducing the cost of running an EV could cause a drop in sales.
He continued: “The Government’s policy on EVs is self-defeating. On the one hand, they are pushing for more people to switch by mandating that manufacturers bring in a certain number of EVs every year, but with the other they are spending billions to subsidise petrol and diesel use.
“If the Government is serious about encouraging uptake it could do far more to address the high up-front costs of EVs with a discount on VAT when buying a car, or look to remove the VAT entirely from home charging of EVs. This would let drivers save on their daily drive without harming the planet – and be far cheaper than the petrol tax freeze.”
