THE Government has announced the new levels for the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) from February 16th, 2016.
The PICG for category 1 vehicles – pure EV – will be set at £4,500, and for category 2 and 3 vehicles – plug-in hybrid EVs – is £2,500. The PICG is currently £5,000 for all categories.
The number of grants will be capped at 40,000 for category 1 and at 45,000 for categories 2 and 3 combined, cumulative from when the PICG started. To date, around 22,000 category 1 grants have been made, and 25,000 category 2 & 3 grants.
The Electric Vehicle Homecharging Scheme (EVHS) will be reduced from £700 to £500 grant support for the installation of a home charger.
Nissan has sold more than 11,800 all-electric Nissan LEAFs in the UK and over 1,000 of its all-electric van, the eNV200, since launch. As such, Nissan is particularly supportive of the decision to introduce a differential between plug-in hybrid EVs and pure EVs.
Commenting on today’s announcement, James Wright, Nissan Motor (GB) Managing Director, said: “Today’s decision by Government has reaffirmed their commitment to the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. With Government support and Nissan’s investment of over £420m into electric vehicles in the UK, our British made Nissan LEAF has increased in popularity with many UK customers already enjoying the benefits of zero emission and low cost driving. This announcement, together with ongoing infrastructure developments, should see the growth and wider deployment of this technology continue.”
Nissan – manufacturer of the world’s best-selling all electric vehicle – is turning a page in zero emissions mobility, last week announcing the start of smart grid trials for a vehicle-to-grid system that will allow cars to become home ‘energy hubs’. The company also announced a partnership with power management specialists, Eaton, to ensure that EV batteries can have a life beyond their automotive use as static storage units.
As part of a further push to improve infrastructure for EVs, Nissan is also campaigning for the introduction of an official EV road sign in the UK.
Nissan EV sales in the UK:
| LEAF | eNV200 | |
| CY15 | 4677 | 677 |
| Since launch | 11,874 |
1093 |