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| Scarlett Johansson riding an electric Harley Davidson in the new Avengers movie. While not boasting the trademark Hog roar, the silent Harley will be one of the motorbikes to benefit from new electric two-wheeler subsidies. |
WHILE Sweden is scaling down its subsidies for electric cars,
England and India are giving their citizens discounts to own and operate
electric vehicles.
In Sweden, the government has been so keen to get more zero
emission cars on the road that they
don’t pay parking or toll fees, may drive in the bus lanes and owners enjoy large tax incentives. This was always going to be too good to last and with the highest electric car sales in Europe, Sweden can now afford to promote EV sales less aggressively.
don’t pay parking or toll fees, may drive in the bus lanes and owners enjoy large tax incentives. This was always going to be too good to last and with the highest electric car sales in Europe, Sweden can now afford to promote EV sales less aggressively.
England and India are however keen to limit the tons of soot spewed
out by every car every year and India has in mid-April announced the Fame
programme — for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric vehicles.
The programme will subsidise the buying price of hybrid or electric
vehicles, including trucks and scooters with up to 29 000 rupees (about R5 400)
for scooters and motorcycles, and up to 138 000 rupees (about R25 800) for cars,
with a sliding scale applying to three-wheeled vehicles, light commercial
vehicles, and buses.
In England, Business Minister Matthew Hancock announced at the end
of March the government will earmark up to £7,5 million (over R138 million) to
subsidise electric scooters and motorbikes to help bikers bridge the cost gap
between a zero emission electric motorcycle and conventional petrol
versions.
The grant could offer up to £1 500 (currently R27 615) off the
purchase price and allow motorcyclists to reduce both their running costs and
environmental impact.
The announcements follow meetings with the electric Motor Cycle
Industry Association and leading manufacturers including Mahindra, Volt, Suzuki,
Harley Davidson, BMW, and Mahindra.
Hancock said low emission vehicles will enable the UK to meet its
climate change commitments without giving up our cars or motorbikes.
“Electric motorcycles and scooters have got fantastic potential and
can be a real force for good.
“This investment shows we are serious about increasing the uptake
of cleaner vehicles in the UK, and offer a fantastic place for firms to locate
their research and development and manufacturing facilities.
“Supporting new technologies is a key part of our long-term
economic plan,” Hancock said.
UK transport minister Baroness Kramer said the scheme could be in
dealerships as early as June.
Mahindra was the first to welcome this statement.
Mahindra makes the GenZe, an electric scooter that puts the focus
on seamlessly connecting the riders smart phone with the environment, and
already sells electric vehicles in the UK, where its Formula E racing team are
also based.
