Icon Airmada Stack Hi-viz Yellow Full Face Motorcycle Helmet on 2040-parts.com

£5000 electric car grants to cut a quarter off EV price

British motorists will qualify for grants lopping a quarter off the price of electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars – up to a maximum of £5000 discount – the Government confirmed this week. The Office for Low Emissions Vehicles, which launched six months ago, said the new grants would come into force from January 2011 as part of a £230 million low-carbon car incentive programme. Car buyers will qualify for the Plug-In Car Grant from an approved list of low-carbon cars.

New 2010 Toyota Prius Video

But things are changing. The world is starting to wake up to the down-sides of the hybrid, and is starting to focus on real ‘Green’ technology, such as the Hydrogen EV. But there is life left yet in the Hybrid model, and Toyota is not going to let the grass grow under its feet (especially as Prius sales are falling rapidly).

Who's Where: Nicolas Huet named PATAC exterior design director

Nicholas Huet has joined PATAC as exterior design director. Based in Shanghai, he will report directly to design director Holt Ware. French-born Huet, who spent 20 years at BMW as a designer, is in charge of the exterior PATAC design department, working on Chinese-specific programs as well as GM Global programs.