Electric car sales are expected to significantly increase thanks to a change in company car tax regulations.
After the upcoming alterations were announced in July 2019, sales of EVs to double in the second half of the year compared with the first half. This is according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
From April 2020, those who choose a zero-emission car will pay zero per cent company car tax, adding another incentive to go electric.
Due to this, experts are predicting a boom in EV sales.
Gerry Keaney, chief executive of the British Vehicle Rental and leasing Association (BVRLA), told Autocar: “This tax incentive could lead to a big surge in EVs”.
Manufacturers are preparing for the potential surge in April, such as Hyundai and its Kona Electric. Ashley Andrew, managing director of Hyundai Motor UK, told Autocar: “We will be seeking greater availability of our fully electric vehicles this year and beyond.”
Some companies, on the other hand, don’t currently offer their employees the choice of an EV – sometimes because they have a deal with just one manufacturer. For instance, Serco and Capita, both of which are service companies, only use Ford, which doesn’t offer a fully electric car right now.
Ford will, however, introduce its all-electric Mustang Mach-E late in the year.
