The RAC has said that the Government’s plans to incentivise cleaner vehicle technology could be ‘the game-changing boost the automotive sector needs’.

Responding to reports that the Government is considering a new vehicle scrappage scheme to encourage the take-up of hybrid and electric vehicles, RAC’s Head of Roads Policy, Nicholas Lyes said: “Incentivising the take-up of cleaner vehicle technology might be the game-changing boost the automotive sector needs. Drivers’ concerns about emissions are becoming ever stronger and interest in zero-emission vehicles is increasing. But many continue to say that the upfront costs of electric vehicles compared to those of similarly sized conventional vehicles is a barrier to them switching so any sort of scheme which tackles this would be very welcome.”

A report in the Daily Telegraph suggest that car owners could be given up to £6,000 to swap their petrol or diesel ones for electric ones.

“With more public charging points becoming available and the Government looking at clearer pricing for customers, concerns about range anxiety and ease of charging are likely to decline although clearly, there would need to be some consideration as to how this would work with the existing plug-in car grant scheme,” added Mr Lyes.