The SMMT repeatedly demands cuts to taxes for new electric car buyers (1)
The ABD is fundamentally opposed to such subsidies.
ABD Policy Director Brian Gregory explained:
“Subsidies and tax cuts do not grow on trees, they have to be paid for by the public in some form or other. If public money is to be used to assist drivers it should not be channeled towards the relatively wealthy who can afford new cars. Instead we would be more inclined to support help for those struggling to keep their older cars on the road, which is often the most sustainable option (2). Scrapping VED on vehicles over twelve years old might be a better starting point.”
It should be noted that the U.S. are planning to scrap all EV subsidies, and the UK government is rumoured to be considering dropping heat pump and EV mandates.
The wheels are falling off the whole net zero shambles.
Throwing more public money at the fiasco is not the way forward.
1. https://www.smmt.co.uk/new-car-market-returns-to-growth-as-discounting-lifts-ev-registrations/
2. https://abd.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Cradle_Grave_Report_-Final_JULY2023.pdf
