Car hire customers to drive electric cars?

Car hire customers may be driving more carbon-efficient cars in the future, it has been suggested.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a plug-in grant, which will allow leasing firms the opportunity to get 25 per cent off – up to £5,000 – the price of an ultra-low carbon car.

British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association chief executive John Lewis noted that buyers will need convincing that this new electric cars will retain a sell-on value.

In order to qualify for the incentive, vehicles need to pass the EuroNCAP protocol or a similar crash test regime.

He added: "Fleet buyers take their duty of care responsibilities very seriously and will expect the same levels of safety from any electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles."

The DfT recently announced that London is to receive £6 million to help it counter the problems of congestion through the government’s Urban Congestion Performance Fund after it exceeded its targets.

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