The Institute of the Motor Industry has outlined its wishlist for next week’s Spring Budget.

Steve Nash, CEO of IMI, wants the Chancellor to do more to encourage motorists to adopt new technologies – rather than just ‘beat them up’ for driving the ‘wrong’ cars.

He said: “The IMI wholeheartedly supports the Government’s focus on electric vehicles (EVs).  But we urgently need the Chancellor to allocate some of the millions that’s currently being put to increasing charging points, to supporting the training of motor retailers in being able to maintain and service these vehicles. 

“Until this is addressed, insurance and servicing costs will mean electric vehicles stay out of the reach of many drivers and car buyers.  And that probably means, despite various politicians’ best efforts to deter interest in diesels, these will continue to be seen as the most fuel efficient alternative, keeping them on our roads in significant numbers for decades to come.

Nash also wants the Government to guarantee existing EV subsidies until the end of this parliament.

“It would surely make sense to actually increase the subsidies and perhaps even extend them to cover the purchase of plug-in hybrid models as well as full EV’s. And going a further step, why not extend the subsidy to anyone trading out of a diesel car to a hybrid or electric,” said Nash.

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