Green transport grant could knock £1500 off the price of electric bikes

Business minister Matthew Hancock has announced that motorcycles and scooters will join cars, vans, trucks and buses in the Government’s drive for greener vehicles. Up to £7.5 million will be set aside to boost the uptake for electric two-wheelers and help bikers bridge the cost gap between a zero-emission electric motorcycle and conventional petrol versions.

The grant could offer up to £1500 off the purchase price and allow motorcyclists to reduce both their running costs and environmental impact.

The move comes after meetings the electric Motor Cycle Industry Association had with leading manufacturers including Suzuki, Harley Davidson, BMW, Volt, and Mahindra.

Hancock said: “Low-emission vehicles are the future and show that we can meet our climate change commitments without giving up our cars or motorbikes. Electric motorcycles and scooters have got fantastic potential and can be a real force for good.”

The minister also announced that seven new hydrogen projects have been given the green light. This £6.6 million investment will see an initial network of 12 hydrogen refuelling stations established, including new stations built in Brentford and Croydon and a new mobile station that will be used across the south of England, as well as upgrades to existing hydrogen demonstrator stations.