UK could pay drivers $7,600 if they move from a combustion engine car to an EV

[midian182]

In a nutshell: As much of the world pushes for all vehicles to be of the electric variety, the UK could soon give drivers an incentive to switch. Sources say the country’s government is considering giving car owners up to £6,000 (around $7,609) for replacing their combustion engine cars with electric versions.

Like so many industries, car sales have been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s especially bad in the UK, where just 4,321 cars were sold during April, down from the 161,064 units shifted during the same period last year. Most of the vehicles (71.5 percent) sold in April were fleet orders, with private buyers making up just 20 percent of sales.

In an attempt to give the car industry, electric vehicle manufacturers, and overall economy a boost, prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce a new scrappage scheme on July 6, reports The Telegraph.

Several large carmakers were forced to temporarily shut down their plants at the peak of the pandemic. With job uncertainty and the prospect of the worst recession since the great depression, buying a new car isn’t a priority for many people, but the government’s plan could give the industry a much-needed shot in the arm.

Inside Nissan's Sunderland plant (carmagazine.co.uk)

Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, and mini-maker BMW all manufacture electric vehicles in the UK. Nissan, which makes the electric Leaf vehicle, employs 6,000 people at its plant in Sunderland, making it one of north east England’s most vital employers. It also supports 27,000 UK automotive supply chain jobs, three-quarters of which are in the region.

The UK is one of several countries aiming to ban the sale of combustion vehicles—by 2035, in its case. The scrappage scheme could go some way toward achieving that goal while also stimulating new car sales, which are down 90 percent since the lockdown.

Image credit: Dani Berszt

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https://www.techspot.com/news/85525-uk-could-pay-drivers-7600-swapping-electric-car.html

 

[Uncle Al]

While I like my fossil fuel vehicle I look forward to a time when the madness about electric vehicles is over. EV's have far fewer moving parts and should be significantly cheaper than fossil fuel vehicles yet the industry still hasn't caught on, nor has the insurance industry that covers EV's. We are past the point of pass / fail on these vehicles and they will only become the norm when everyone can afford one at prices comparable to the current cars.

 

[VitalyT]

Few countries can beat UK when it comes to the government's complete incompetence.

People do not need your pathetic 6 grand incentive. People need infrastructure for using electrical vehicles, which does not exist in UK today.

It is a complete zoo when it comes to charging stations. On every corner you can find proprietary charging stations, put up by some shady companies to rip you off. They offer very little charging power, while at the same time over-charging you for electricity by a margin. And even worse, those each come with their own web app-s that you have to install on your phone, register, add your credit card details, and so on, while the apps are full of bugs, leak your card details and overcharge you. Needless to say, it is a complete rip off all the way.

This just kills the overall experience with electrical vehicles, and people should stay away from them, until the day when the government creates state-owned charging network, throw away all the thieves and ban them from offering any charging stations.

 

[Nobina]

"The UK is one of several countries aiming to ban the sale of combustion vehicles—by 2035"
Why do they have these dumb plans to ban combustion vehicles when they probably have no idea what's gonna happen by 2035, they probably have no idea what's gonna happen tommorow.

 

[mbrowne5061]

"The UK is one of several countries aiming to ban the sale of combustion vehicles—by 2035"
Why do they have these dumb plans to ban combustion vehicles when they probably have no idea what's gonna happen by 2035, they probably have no idea what's gonna happen tommorow.

You're right. We should stop planning and goal setting entirely. Any planning or goals further than 10 minutes into the future should be made illegal.

 

[Nobina]

You're right. We should stop planning and goal setting entirely. Any planning or goals further than 10 minutes into the future should be made illegal.

Yeah, sure. That's exactly what I said.

 

[candle_86]

I've so far not seen any complelling reason to go ev, replacement batteries cost as much as the car making the cars as disposable as your cell phone, these travesties will create 10x the amount of highly toxic ewaste than we already have and still arnt able to efficiently recycle, add to it the sensors and specialized tools needed to fix one and average repairs will be in the thousands, no shade tree mechanics fixing their own car anymore. Then range sucks, drive 200-300 miles then park it overnight to charge, I can go 450 miles a tank and refill it in 5 minutes, enabling my car to cover as many miles as I can stay awake for. No I think EV us a waste of resources, it failed 100 years ago and it's destined to fail again, the technology will never be as convenient as gasoline and diesel, they need to go back and look at other options like hydrogen fuel cells.

 

[Reehahs]

Non-Tesla EV manufacturers are asking Tesla-like prices for cars that don't even come close to Tesla performance.

 

[EEatGDL]

Yeah, sure. That's exactly what I said.

He was being sarcastic.

 

[Nobina]

He was being sarcastic.

I know. I was too.

 

[HyPeroxya]

I've so far not seen any complelling reason to go ev, replacement batteries cost as much as the car making the cars as disposable as your cell phone, these travesties will create 10x the amount of highly toxic ewaste than we already have and still arnt able to efficiently recycle, add to it the sensors and specialized tools needed to fix one and average repairs will be in the thousands, no shade tree mechanics fixing their own car anymore. Then range sucks, drive 200-300 miles then park it overnight to charge, I can go 450 miles a tank and refill it in 5 minutes, enabling my car to cover as many miles as I can stay awake for. No I think EV us a waste of resources, it failed 100 years ago and it's destined to fail again, the technology will never be as convenient as gasoline and diesel, they need to go back and look at other options like hydrogen fuel cells.

I dont like the "Cult of Elon" but tesla seems to be doing 90% right. I just wish all charging stations were compatible. Range anxiety is akin to **** anxiety.
And this Subsidy has not come to pass ...

 

[candle_86]

I dont like the "Cult of Elon" but tesla seems to be doing 90% right. I just wish all charging stations were compatible. Range anxiety is akin to **** anxiety.
And this Subsidy has not come to pass ...

No I live in Texas, and I often drive 300-400 miles in a day, sometimes more

 

[mbrowne5061]

No I live in Texas, and I often drive 300-400 miles in a day, sometimes more

And that is just to get to the end of your driveway in that state.

 

[Underdog]

"The UK is one of several countries aiming to ban the sale of combustion vehicles—by 2035"
Why do they have these dumb plans to ban combustion vehicles when they probably have no idea what's gonna happen by 2035, they probably have no idea what's gonna happen tommorow.

I would imagine their plans are to be seen doing something about unhealthy levels of air pollution in cities. They have already banned the use of older more polluting cars and vans in London but sadly its only the wealthier people that can afford to buy newer cleaner cars. And so far, the limited range of EVs is too short for some commuters.