The Government’s plan to incentivise the take-up of electric vehicles by offering tax breaks has failed to convince fleets that these vehicles are right for them.

The chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report announced that electric vehicles would not be liable to benefit-in-kind tax for five years, while electric vans will benefit from 100% writing down allowances (Fleet News, December 17).

But that move has failed to convince fleets in the UK – 60% of respondents to an online poll at fleetnews.co.uk voted ‘no’ when asked ‘Are the incentives in the Pre-Budget Report enough to get you to use electric vehicles?’.

Stuart King, quality manager at PRP Optoelectroncis, echoed the thoughts of many by saying: “With the extra front-end costs, poor recharging infrastructure, limited performance and range, and low driver appeal, there is nothing of benefit or appeal to us.”

Dave Gill, finance director at JMC IT, added: “The move is pointless. The more electric vehicles we have, the more Russian gas we need to burn in our power stations. We have no green power. Electric cars are the cart, now we just need a horse.”

Martin Bytner, transport manager at Kier Harlow, has had experience of electric vehicles. He said: “They are OK until the warranty runs out – when you then have repair bills they are huge.”

Mick Donovan, group fleet manager at Bowmer & Kirkland, added: “The main issue will be the limited travel distance, rather than Government incentives.”

Gary Davis, managing director of Cox and Allen, worries about the recharging infrastructure as his construction company is based in the Lake District. He added: “I’m not yet convinced that electric vans are up to carrying the loads involved. However, I will keep an eye on developments.”