Electric grant criticised [+TG] - Classic Scooterist Scene Magazine

Electric grant criticised

Published: 10:12AM Jul 29th, 2010
By: Mau Spencer

The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) has criticised the Government for ignoring electric motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in the newly announced ‘Plug in Car Grant’. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed on 28 July that from next year, motorists will be entitled to a ‘Plug-In Car Grant’ of up to £5000. However, the MCI has since discovered that electric two-wheelers are specifically denied any benefit under the terms of the grant.

The omission has already sparked protests from sections of the motorcycle industry and MCI has since contacted the Department for Transport demanding to know why electric two-wheelers have been excluded. In light of Transport Minister Mike Penning’s remarks in a recent meeting with the industry, where he said he ‘could not understand why motorcycles were excluded from sustainable transport policies’ this exclusion appears at odds with what the Government are trying to achieve.

Commenting, Steve Kenward, MCI CEO said: “The exclusion of electric bikes from the grant defies logic and is actually a very short-sighted move on the part of a Government which claims it is committed to ‘decarbonising’ transport.

“Electric bikes offer the congestion busting and time saving potential that all motorcycles offer, but with the added benefit of zero emissions. Instead of being ignored, surely, electric bikes should be heavily encouraged by the new Government – to prevent merely offering a continuation of the previous Government’s flawed transport policy.

“We are sure that this is nothing more than an oversight and industry calls on the Government to immediately rectify the situation and include electric motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in the new grant.”