Hybrid drivers to receive incentives in the UK?

In an attempt to crack down on larger, gas guzzling cars, UK ministers are contemplating an array of incentive programs for hybrids and other low emission cars, while penalizing the gas guzzlers.

Times Online

In an interview with The Times, Malcolm Wicks, the Energy Minister, said: “There is crass irresponsibility in some of the larger monstrosities people drive around suburbia and in London. We have to move against this kind of thing.”

Owners of cars with high emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, face higher taxes. Those who choose hybrid cars and vehicles powered by alternative fuels will benefit from incentives designed to accelerate the shift to “low carbon cars”.

In the short term, the Government is considering raising vehicle excise duty for gas guzzlers. The Treasury is understood to favour proposals from the RAC Foundation for a new top rate of £200 to cover cars that produce more than 250g of CO2 per kilometre.

Although the government currently offer £1000 in grants to drivers of Prius, the minister feels they need more.