The government of the UK has long been involved in helping to push forward with widespread adoption of electric automobiles and has now created the “Plug in Car Grant” program (which offers up to £5,000 in government assistance towards the purchase) to help consumers along. The program is scheduled to go into effect in 2011.
However, the UK’s Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) has discovered that the grant specifically excludes electric two-wheelers. As you can imagine, MCI is not very happy with this situation.
Protests from many areas of the motorcycle industry have already been organized and MCI has contacted the UK’s Department of Transportation demanding to be told exactly why electric motorcycles, scooters and mopeds were left out of the plan. The action seems completely contradictory to the ideals which the UK government is pursuing for its citizens with grant programs like this one.
Even Transportation Minister Mike Penning is confused as to why the program excluded these hyper-efficient machines. Given the influence of the MCI in the UK, and the prevalent use of two-wheelers for primary transportation in the nation, this story is likely to be ongoing. Hopefully, for those wishing to purchase an electric-powered two-wheeler in the United Kingdom, the issue will be resolved in their favor very soon…but, don’t plan on it!
