Carwow calls for BEV VAT relief
Consumer appetite for alternative fuel vehicles continues to grow exponentially according to data from carwow.
February saw a 243% increase in Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) configurations undertaken by visitors to the site looking for their next car. Whilst all alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) are enjoying an increase in consumer interest on carwow, BEVs are attracting the strongest interest.
The Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe and Volkswagen e-Golf are the most commonly configured and converted sales on carwow.
Benjamin Hunt, motoring trade analyst for carwow, said: “Whilst manufacturers are making great strides to escalate the growth in the AFV market – more than 23 new battery electric and 10 plug-in hybrid electric cars will be launched in the UK this year – affordability, reliability and a solid charging infrastructure will be key to converting consumer appetite into sales.
“Although awareness is growing all the time of the financial savings to be made by switching to hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric cars, more needs to be done to convince consumers to take the EV leap. The removal of VAT from AFVs, as recommended by the SMMT, would go a long way to achieving this, coupled with the continuation of the plug-in grant and exemption from VED and insurance premium tax.”
