The higher outlay for electric vehicles is often mitigated by the lower running costs and benefits that they attract.
- The Government’s Plug in Car grant offers up to £5,000, or 25% of the cost of the vehicle, off the list price for electric vehicles that meet the criteria outlined by the Office of Low Emission Vehicles. The Nissan Leaf falls within these limits. The grants will be available from January, 2011.
- The green car salary sacrifice scheme provides significant benefit to employees looking to buy an electric vehicle for work use. More information, and case studies, will be coming soon.
- Lower fuel costs. For example, for 20,000 miles you’d pay around £800 a year for your EV. For petrol or diesel you’d expect to pay around £2,400 - that’s a saving of £1600.
- Lower expected maintenance costs.