Latest news with #GinnyBuckley
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Britain offers discounts on EVs to boost demand
The British government will offer discounts worth up to £3,750 (R90,058) to buyers of electric cars priced at £37,000 (R888,574) or below, it said on Monday, under a new scheme that aims to better align consumer demand with net zero emissions targets. The government will spend £650m (R15,610,101) on the discount scheme, which will be available from Wednesday to consumers after carmakers sign up for the scheme. As part of a wider goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Britain wants to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. However, demand for electric cars has stalled, with consumers citing high upfront costs as the main barrier. "This EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money, it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century," transport secretary Heidi Alexander said. The scheme comes after calls from the automotive industry for EV incentive as carmakers effectively need to sell more EVs every year to meet emissions targets or pay fines. Britain scrapped a previous incentive scheme for electric vehicle purchases in 2022 as the then-Conservative government shifted focus to spending on expanding the public charging network. A number of European countries including Norway, which has the highest percentage of electric cars in Europe, and France and Germany offer incentives for EV buyers, including subsidies and exemption from taxes. The British government in April relaxed some EV sales targets for carmakers as the industry coped with new tariffs on sales to the US, its second largest market after the EU. Ginny Buckley, CEO of advice website said nearly one in two electric models will be cheaper thanks to the "long overdue" incentives. The government said the £650m funding for the Electric Car Grant will be available until 2028/29. By contrast, carmakers had spent around £6.5bn (R156,044,980,000) on electric car discounts since the government's EV sales targets were introduced at the start of 2024, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders CEO Mike Hawes told reporters last month. Hawes welcomed the new grant on Monday, saying it was a "clear signal" this was the time for drivers to switch to an electric car.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Britain offers discounts on electric cars to boost demand
LONDON: The British government will offer discounts worth up to £3,750 (US$5,037.00) to buyers of electric cars priced at £37,000 or below, it said on Monday, under a new scheme that aims to better align consumer demand with net zero emissions targets. The government will spend £650 million on the discount scheme, which will be available from Wednesday to consumers once carmakers sign up for the scheme. As part of a wider goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Britain wants to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. But demand for electric cars has stalled with consumers citing high upfront costs as the main barrier. "This EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money — it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century," Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said. The scheme follows calls from the automotive industry for EV incentives, as carmakers effectively need to sell more EVs each year to meet emissions targets, or pay fines. Britain scrapped a previous incentive scheme for electric vehicle purchases in 2022 as the then-Conservative government shifted focus to spending on expanding the public charging network. A number of European countries including Norway — which has the highest percentage of electric cars in Europe — as well as France and Germany offer incentives for EV buyers including subsidies and exemption from taxes. The British government in April relaxed some of the EV sales targets for carmakers, as the industry coped with new tariffs on sales to the US, its second largest market after the European Union. Ginny Buckley, chief executive of advice website said nearly one in two electric models will be cheaper thanks to the "long overdue" incentives. The government said the £650 million funding for the Electric Car Grant will be available until 2028/29. By contrast, carmakers had spent around £6.5 billion on electric car discounts since the government's EV sales targets were introduced at the start of 2024, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders CEO Mike Hawes told reporters last month. Hawes welcomed the new grant on Monday, saying it was a "clear signal" that now was the time for drivers to switch to an electric car.
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Britain offers discounts on electric cars to boost demand
LONDON: The British government will offer discounts worth up to 3,750 pounds ($5,037.00) to buyers of electric cars priced at 37,000 pounds or below, it said on Monday, under a new scheme that aims to better align consumer demand with net zero emissions targets. The government will spend 650 million pounds on the discount scheme, which will be available from Wednesday to consumers once carmakers sign up for the scheme. As part of a wider goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Britain wants to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. But demand for electric cars has stalled with consumers citing high upfront costs as the main barrier. 'This EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money – it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century,' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said. The scheme follows calls from the automotive industry for EV incentives, as carmakers effectively need to sell more EVs each year to meet emissions targets, or pay fines. Britain scrapped a previous incentive scheme for electric vehicle purchases in 2022 as the then-Conservative government shifted focus to spending on expanding the public charging network. A number of European countries including Norway - which has the highest percentage of electric cars in Europe - as well as France and Germany offer incentives for EV buyers including subsidies and exemption from taxes. The British government in April relaxed some of the EV sales targets for carmakers, as the industry coped with new tariffs on sales to the U.S., its second largest market after the European Union. Ginny Buckley, chief executive of advice website said nearly one in two electric models will be cheaper thanks to the 'long overdue' incentives. The government said the 650 million pound funding for the Electric Car Grant will be available until 2028/29. By contrast, carmakers had spent around 6.5 billion pounds on electric car discounts since the government's EV sales targets were introduced at the start of 2024, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders CEO Mike Hawes told reporters last month. Hawes welcomed the new grant on Monday, saying it was a 'clear signal' that now was the time for drivers to switch to an electric car. ($1 = 0.7445 pounds) - Reuters
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Escape To The Country buyer breaks down in tears after 'having a hard time' with doomed property search - claiming 'the rug was pulled from under our feet'
An Escape To The Country buyer broke down in tears after 'having a hard time' with her doomed property search during the most recent episode of the BBC show. Property expert Ginny Buckley returned to our screens to help couple Debs and Colin find their dream property on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Ginny explained to viewers that the pair - who had lived in Caterham, Surrey, for 29 years - tried to find their perfect home seven years ago, but it didn't work out, and only now were they ready to try again. Talking about the heartbreaking time, Debs explained: 'One minute we were doing it, we were even packed up, and then the rug was pulled from under our feet.' Colin is keen to replicate his antique restoring workshop in their new pad, while Debs is a knitting lover. The couple wanted a character property, three bedrooms, a good sized garden and travel links to the capital. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Ginny explained the viewers that the pair - who had lived in Caterham, Surrey, for 29 years - tried to find their perfect home seven years ago, but it didn't work out, and were ready to try again So Ginny took them to Norfolk end to the village of Forncett End, near a market town of Wymondham. The thatched cottage, costing £500,000, boasted a kitchen, breakfast room, two reception rooms, three bedrooms and a workshop. And they certainly liked the look of what they saw. Colin said: 'That is full-on Escape To The Country character, isn't it?' Debs added: 'It's beautiful. It is really pretty. I love it.' Just moments later she got very emotional and said: 'Oh it's making me - a bit - cry...' A shocked Ginny asked: 'Oh why? What? What's making you?' 'I don't know,' Debs replied. It's just making me a bit, like, emotional. It is so pretty. So pretty.' Ginny confessed: 'Well I'm glad that they're happy tears. 'Tears are good, as long as they are happy ones. ' At the end of the instalment it was revealed that the pair were keen to get their current home sold before making any decisions. However their favourites were the first property that they saw, as well as the mystery one. Just last week a buyer on Escape To The Country was left baffled by the price of a property before making a surprising U-turn. Nicki Chapman was tasked with finding semi-retired lecturer Clement and his grandson Luke a new home in Cornwall. The pair were making the move from Surrey to the coast to live closer to family who were already based there. He wanted to be near pleasant walking routes and had a £675,000 budget for a detached four-bedroom house with a garden and garage. Nicki presented Clement with a range of possible homes but it was the mystery house that particularly surprised him. 'Is the mystery house working its magic?' Nicki asked. 'It's working some magic, it's one of those houses that grows on you as you look through it,' Clement replied. Nicki revealed the asking price was £650,000, a huge £25,000 below budget. 'Where's the contract to sign? Let's go,' Hannah exclaimed. Clement appeared to be shocked by the price and commented: 'I like conversations especially those ones, that's excellent.' At the end of the episode, it was revealed Clement had arranged second viewings for two of the houses, including the mystery property. He put an offer in on the mystery property but ultimately decided to go for a completely different house.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK has Europe's strongest EV market but there are ‘bumps along the road'
Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK are higher than in any other European country, but experts believe demand could be even stronger with a series of measures. Pro-EV groups say the lack of purchase incentives, perception of public charging infrastructure and the taxation system are putting some people off from making the switch to electric motoring. Ginny Buckley, founder of EV-buying advice website said the UK has a 'strong market' for EVs, but there are 'bumps along the road' towards the 2030 ban on the sale of conventionally fuelled cars. She told the PA news agency the higher upfront cost of new EVs compared with petrol or diesel cars is the main limiting factor. 'People really don't understand a lot of the benefits of owning an electric car in the long term,' she said. She cited a survey which suggested only 45% of drivers are aware of low-cost electricity tariffs for domestic charging, which means 'you can run your EV for pennies per mile'. Ms Buckley also said the 'perception' of public charging is a major issue. The infrastructure is 'improving' but many drivers will have 'read a story that somebody's had a rotten experience and that really filters through', she said. Quentin Willson, founder of EV lobby group FairCharge, said the new EV market is 'being held back by a lack of consumer disposable income'. He added: 'Government has promised to help demand for new EVs. They should cut VAT on public charging and help private buyers.' Successive governments have rejected pleas to reduce the 20% VAT rate on public EV charging so it is equal to VAT on domestic charging, which is 5%. Government grants for the purchase of new electric cars were abolished in June 2022. The plug-in car grant was set at £5,000 when it was introduced in 2011, but was reduced to £1,500 by the time it ended. Many EVs are now bought by people able to take advantage of tax benefits by making purchases by a salary sacrifice scheme through their employer. There are also fears that changes to vehicle excise duty (VED) rules introduced on April 1 will discourage EV purchases. The Treasury removed EVs' exemption from VED, meaning all owners will be charged £10 for the first year after a vehicle is registered, and the standard rate of £195 for subsequent years. Drivers who buy a new EV with a list price exceeding £40,000 also incur the expensive car supplement, known as the luxury car tax. That is £425 annually from years two to six after a car is registered. AA president Edmund King said 'more needs to be done to make EVs accessible for everyone', as generally drivers are 'hesitant but most are not hostile to the change'. He went on: 'Help is needed to stimulate demand for EVs including broader fiscal incentives. 'Drivers still raise concerns about cost of purchase, cost of charging and availability of chargers.' During the initial development of EVs, the fear of running out of charge before a journey is completed or a car can be plugged in – often referred to as range anxiety – was cited as a key barrier to people switching to electric motoring. But Mr King said this is 'a thing of the past'. Latest AA figures show just 1.9% of EV callouts are because of batteries with limited or no charge. That is down from 2.8% in June 2021 and 4.6% in June 2019. The AA attributed the decrease to a boost in the number and reliability of public chargers, higher quality charging support for customers, improved range on newer EVs and better driver education and information. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show uptake of pure battery electric new cars reached 382,000 units last year. That was slightly above Germany's total of 381,000 after a 27% decline from 2023, partly attributed to a reduction in purchase incentives. EVs held a 19.6% share of the UK's new car market last year, up from 16.5% in 2023.
