TAXPAYERS are footing the bill for electric cars that thousands of benefits claimants do not even want, The Sun can reveal.
A new £650million green grant will knock up to £3,750 off the price of EVs, including for welfare users on the Motability scheme.
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But nearly half of Motability customers cannot charge electric cars at home – and many have returned them in frustration, citing useless infrastructure and lack of public access.
Despite this, ministers are throwing more cash at the scheme to boost EV sales and hit its net zero targets, using public money to fund technology disabled drivers say is failing them.
Motability plunged to a £564million loss last year but bosses still took home bonuses worth nearly £200,000.
With this new grant, some claimants could even get electric cars with zero upfront cost, as taxpayers cover the shortfall twice over – first through benefits, then through discounts.
The scheme, which now makes up 1 in 5 of all new cars sold, has already faced fury over social media boasts about “free” BMWs and cases of fraud and misuse.
Reform UK’s Richard Tice told The Sun: “Motability was well intentioned but has sadly become a byword for benefits abuse and propping up electric car sales.
“Without it, EV sales figures would be dire. It is effectively becoming a Ponzi scheme”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the grant “will allow people keep more of their hard-earned money” and support the UK car industry.
Cars made in China will be excluded from the scheme, and top-selling brands like Tesla also do not currently qualify – with discounts only applying to vehicles priced under £37,000.
A spokesperson from Motability Operations, which runs the Motability Scheme, said: “We welcome the Government’s Electric Car Grant and the inclusion of our customers. It’s vital that the EV transition is inclusive and doesn’t leave disabled people behind. With the 2035 deadline on the horizon, any move that supports both drivers and the wider industry and improves positivity towards EVs is welcome.”
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