Government support

Government support for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles is essential to kick start their widespread adoption. The reason for this assistance is that they directly contribute to Governmental objectives on the environment and defence.

Government must help generate customer demand. It needs to actively promote hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. Few people have heard of or understand hybrid technology. Fewer still are aware of the potential of plug-in hybrid cars. Most associate electric cars with milk floats and golf carts. Government must act to raise awareness. Government must also go further by giving greater incentives, partly to offset the initial cost premium. Until mass produced, hybrid, plug-in hybrids and electric cars will cost more than conventional cars. As a start, Government should provide incentives to offset the purchase cost of new vehicles and go further, perhaps providing direct financial help to the owners of older, more polluting cars to purchase hybrid models.

Government must also ensure that the infrastructure and regulations exist to support vehicle charging.

Government must work with the car manufacturers to create a climate that encourages the production of plug-in hybrid and electric cars. Incentives ranging from capital grants, tax concessions and demand guarantees, along with regulatory easements and public sector vehicle purchasing policies would all help to spur manufacture.

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