Velomobile subsidy

[Bill B-J]

I would like to be a velomobile owner, and reduce the family car ownership by one. (Stay fit, reduce carbon foot print, raise quality of life...........) A velomobile's all weather ability, and increased efficiency making it (I'm sure,) a realistic car substitute for me.

Got my eye on a carbon Quest, or maybe a Mango sport. 7 or 6000 Euro!

New electric cars can receive a susidy of £5000.

Wrote to my MP, George Freeman. He kindly replied, saying that he would ask the minister of transport if a subsidy could be extended to velomobiles.

Perhaps I am dreaming, but maybe if many people wrote to their MP's, something might happen?

What do you think?

 

[byegad]

It seems to be a good idea. I'd love to do the same, Velomobiles are certainly a more proven technology than electric cars and have a much lower carbon footprint.

 

[squeaker]

£5k represents about 20% of the purchase price of a super-mini sized electric car. Should we be asking for £5k per velomobile on the grounds that most cars only carry one person most of the time (and a velomobile's lifetime carbon emissions are way lower than an electric car's), or 20% of the typical velo purchase price?
Worth nagging your MP whatever, though

 

[Bigsharn]

This sounds like a hell of an idea... I think I'll have to write in myself and also ask about a subsidy

 

[mickle]

Great idea! But why stop at velomobiles? I'd like a minimum £5000 grant for my bicycle please - since i am getting an electric car off the road whose emissions and environmental impact are the same or greater than a regular car.

 

[markg0vbr]

Great idea! But why stop at velomobiles? I'd like a minimum £5000 grant for my bicycle please - since i am getting an electric car off the road whose emissions and environmental impact are the same or greater than a regular car.

they already did it was called the cycle to work scheme!.

"As an employee you can make huge savings on a new bike and safety equipment. The "tax break" allows you to obtain a brand new bike hired from your Employer which is free from Tax and NI. (Up to 52% savings can be made). You simply agree to forgo a small amount of your salary on a monthly basis over 12 or 18 months, so you can get a top quality bike and accessories to commute to work on."

it would be nice for every bike but that will never happen the powerful car lobby would go mental!

no vat and a 0% loan pay it back like the cycle to work scheme but say over 5years, could be a way to go, you would still be saving plus not taking a lot out of the public purse.


the £5000 for electric cars is a nonsense and should never have happened.

 

[byegad]

A bike 'subsidy' is OK but 'Cycle to Work' only benefits the employed and after the Revenue Men got involved it's no longer the bargain it once was. The £5k break for electric car is available to any buyer and is there to encourage development. As I said before, Velomobiles are much more developed and green than any electric car.

 

[Bill B-J]

And , the 'Bike to work Scheme' has a cap of £1000.

So recumbents are discriminated against, not eligable for the scheme, due to the price being greater than £1000!