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The Government has announced the current Plug-in Car Grant scheme will continue to operate until at least February 2016.
Previously, the Government stated that grant levels would be reviewed once 50,000 vehicles had been sold. This milestone is expected to be reached in November.
However, further details about how the grant will be structured beyond February are expected to be released following the annual Spending Review in November.
At present, the grant offers up to £5000 off the price of electric and plug-in vehicles - a full list of eligible cars can be found here - as part of a £500m pot to incentivise the uptake of cleaner vehicles.
Registrations of plug-in cars accelerated rapidly over the first six months of 2015, according to Go Ultra Low, growing 256% compared to the same period last year and surpassing the 2014 full-year total with six months to spare.
"I'm pleased to announce today that the Government is maintaining the current levels of grant, even as we move past the milestone of 50,000 vehicles," said transport minister, Andrew Jones. "The UK is now the fastest growing market for electric vehicles in Europe. We will continue to invest to help make this technology affordable to everyone and to secure the UK's position as a global leader."
"With British buyers taking to ultra-low emission vehicles faster than anyone else in Europe, the extension of the Plug-in Car Grant is good news," said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. "The market for these vehicles remains small, however, so it is essential that government continues to provide effective incentives for their uptake - including the Plug-in Car Grant and other measures."
"We welcome the Government's decision to continue these incentives in a way which recognises the fledgling nature of this low emissions market," said Lance Bradley, managing director of Mitsubishi UK. "Car manufacturers invest in new technologies on the basis of three to five year horizons for market introduction".
"It is great that the Government has provided more certainty about the lifespan of this vital incentive and the nine-month lead time limit for qualifying vehicles to be delivered and registered," said BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney. "Demand for ultra-low emission vehicles is growing rapidly, but we would urge the Government to continue supporting this nascent market by extending the Plug-in Car Grant beyond next February and providing additional in-life incentives for early adopters.
A spokesman for Go Ultra Low confirmed the Plug-In Van Grant would continue indefinitely at its current level.
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