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This will be an unpopular opinion, but the government should stop all of its incentives for electric vehicles, and that includes vans.
Yes, thatโs unfair as passenger car buyers had, for so many years, various schemes, grants and tax breaks to help incentivise ownership, but Iโm now of the opinion that any money earmarked for encouraging EV uptake would be better spent on electric vehicle infrastructure.
The government has just announced a ยฃ55m investment in kerbside charging, but that feels like a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed.
More money should be diverted to community infrastructure, even if that means ditching electric van grants.
Iโd like to see a far greater pot available with the onus on the public to push through infrastructure development - in a similar vein to the fibre optic broadband voucher scheme.
If households were given a voucher to contribute to EV infrastructure, with a commitment to buy at least one electric vehicle within a specified time frame, and an obligation to sign up to the charging network being funded, I believe weโd see a far greater adoption among the group of โno-drivewayโ buyers who are the hardest demographic to convince into EV ownership.
While grants, BIK tax breaks, zero road fund licence and other tax incentives have stimulated the push for electrification it feels wrong to be subsidising vehicle sales that under the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate have to happen. Money-off upfront is a temporary bandage on a problem that is infrastructure induced.
With greater access to charging, buyers will feel more confident in their ability to charge. One major arguement around purchasing an electric vehicle is therefore removed.
It also removes the levels of elitism associated with home ownership and electric vehicles - this is something I particularly hear from van drivers - enabling those in flats or shared housing to benefit from sensible community investment that will leave the automotive sector in a better place for years to come.
It would be great if government van grants could remain, but being realistic, the UK coffers have been hammered by dubious decision making and a pandemic.
Community investment is a much better use of funds than simply giving individuals or businesses (wealthy enough to buy a new vehicle) money off a purchase price that has proven to fall as the technology improves and newer cheaper models enter the market.