transport account for around a quarter of total UK annual emissions. The UK needs to substantially reduce carbon emissions to meet its long-term targets and has international legal obligations to reduce emissions, including in transport.
Because low and zero carbon vehicles are expensive, the Government is trying to make them more affordable for drivers. The Government is offering a grant of 25 per cent, up to £5,000, on electric and hybrid cars as part of the Plug-in Car Grant until 2012. Currently, 10 cars qualify for the grant. They include the Mitsubishi i-MiEv, Peugeot iOn, Smart fortwo electric drive, Nissan Leaf, Tata Vista, Citroen C~Zero, Renault Fluence ZE, Vauxhall Ampera, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Chevrolet Volt.
Consumers and businesses not only save money up front when purchasing one of these cars, but there are additional monetary benefits from owning a low CO2 emissions car.
Tax and other benefits:
Because the cars all emit less than 100g/km of CO2, they are all exempt from the road or car tax.
Those who own electric cars will not have to pay the fuel tax because no fuel is used in the car. Hybrid car owners will pay significantly lower fuel taxes because less fuel is used.
Drivers are also exempt from the London Congestion Charge.
When purchasing green car insurance, consumers will purchase at a lower price than those with standard vehicles.
Cars with CO2 emissions of or less than 110 g/km qualify for a 100 per cent capital allowance until 31 March 2013.
Qualifications for the Plug-in Car Grant:
According to the Department for Transport, eligible cars for the Plug-in Car Grant must meet the following criteria:
• new cars only
• CO2 tailpipe emissions less than 75g/km
• electric vehicles have a minimum range of 70 miles, minimum range of 10 miles for plug-in vehicles
• top speed of at least 60 mph
• three year or 60,000 miles vehicle warranty and a three year battery and electric drive train warranty with a consumer option for a two year battery warranty extension
• minimum five-year battery and electric drive train warranty or proof of battery performance showing reasonable performance after three years
• vehicles must comply with UN- ECE Reg100.00 (PHEVs will be required to show they have met the technical requirements of 01 series amendments to UN- ECE Reg 100).
• manufacturers are required to identify risks associated with vehicle use and state mitigating actions
• must have European Commission whole vehicle type approval or show the car meets appropriate levels of safety by international standards.
For more information on the Plug-in Car Grant visit the
DfT website.
Mitsubishi i-MiEv
Available from January 2011
• Cost: £23,990 (including Plug-in Car Grant)
• fuel cost of £270 for 12,000 miles of driving
• no CO2 tailpipe emissions
• top speed 81 mph
• range of 93 miles
• complete charge in seven hours
• can charge to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at a rapid charge point
• free parking in some London boroughs.
Leasing options:
Mitsubishi is offering three leasing options for the i-MiEv.
With a non-maintained Contract Hire package over 48 months, the price of the car with the first registration fee and after the
grant is deducted is £24,045. The monthly rate is £399, and T&Cs apply.
Mitsubishi is also offering a balloon personal loan where a large sum is paid at the end of the loan. The loan requires a £4,635 deposit, a payment of £399 per month for 47 months and a final payment of £6,459. Using this loan, the total amount payable is £29,847.
The final option is a personal loan for 60 months. The loan requires a deposit of £5,596, £399 per month and a final payment of £399. The total amount payable under this type of loan is £29,536.
Peugeot iOn
Available January 2011
• Cost: £23,990 (including Plug-in Car Grant)
• estimated cost of £1.72 per 93 miles
• no CO2 tailpipe emissions
• no parking charges in some areas
• top speed of 81 mph
• range of 93 miles
• complete charge in about six hours
• a special charging unit gives a 50 per cent charge in 15 minutes and an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes.
Initial payment of £415 + VAT then £415 + VAT per month on contract hire for four years/40,000 miles. This includes lease of the vehicle, servicing and maintenance with full warranty cover for the vehicle, battery and electric power train for eight years/80,000 miles warranty (whichever comes first).
Smart fortwo electric drive
Available January 2011
• Approx cost: £16,000
• no CO2 tailpipe emissions
• top speed of 62 mph
• range of 84 miles; at an average speed of 30 mph, range can extend to 100 miles
• charges in eight hours.
Nissan Leaf
Available March 2011
• Cost: £ 23,990 (including Plug-in Car Grant)
• no CO2 tailpipe emissions
• top speed of 90 mph
• range of 109 mile
• charges in about seven hours.
Leasing option:
The Nissan Leaf is available with a deposit of £3,850. Payments are £397.17 per month with an optional final payment of £9,758. The total amount payable under this lease is £28,204.
Tata Vista
Available March 2011
• Top speed 71 mph
• range of 110 miles
• charges in about eight hours.
Citroen C~Zero
Available March/April 2011
• No CO2 emissions
• top speed of 80 mph
• range of 93 miles
• charges in seven hours.
For more information visit the Citroen C~Zero
website.
Leasing option:
The Citroen C~Zero is available to both businesses and private individuals for £415 per month (excluding VAT) for four years/40,000 miles. The cost covers the lease of the car and battery pack and all services and maintenance.
Vauxhall Ampera
Available January 2012
• Cost: £28,995
• 40g/km CO2 emissions
• top speed of 100 mph
• battery runs for the first 50 miles, and after that, the on-board engine generator can run the car for another 310 miles on a full tank of petrol
• 175 mpg
• takes less than four hours to fully charge.
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
Available early 2012
• 59g/km CO2 emissions
• takes 90 minutes for a full charge
• all-electric range of 12.5 miles
• top speed of 62 mph
• 108.6 mpg.
Chevrolet Volt
Available early 2012
• no CO2 emissions for the first 37 miles
• top speed of 100 mph
• battery range of up to 37 miles, total range of more than 300 miles using an onboard generator.
For more information visit the
Chevrolet Volt website.
