The car scrappage scheme launched today by the Government has been accused of hindering plans to increase the number of environmentally friendly electric vehicles on the road.
According to ultra-light vehicle manufacturer and importer Aixam Mega, the Department of Transport has ruled ultra-light vehicles ineligible for the new scheme’s £2,000 discount. The decision includes those with electric as well as petrol or diesel-powered engines.
“The Government is missing a big opportunity to put more electric vehicles onto the roads of UK towns and cities,” warned General Manager of Aixam Mega Lawrence Holland.
“The only electric vehicles currently available to most motorists have been specifically excluded from the scrappage scheme.”
He also argued that the terms of the scrappage programme would force some motorists to keep old, heavily polluting cars going when they could otherwise replace them with cleaner vehicles.
“The UK still has a significant number of older motorists who do not hold licences to drive traditional cars, and who are therefore still driving old polluting and worn-out three wheelers,” he explained.
“Parts are no longer available for these, with the result that they are becoming less and less reliable, and less safe.
“In addition to its electric vehicle range, Aixam Mega produces petrol and diesel-powered ultra-light vehicles that three-wheeler drivers can trade up to, improving their own safety and reducing their vehicle emissions.
“A rethink on its scrappage scheme policy would help the Government to get more potentially unsafe and polluting vehicles off the road.”
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