After the recent announcement of a further rise in fuel duty as part of the latest Budget plans, the search for low carbon models at the ‘EV and low CO2 Fleet Show’ has gained momentum among UK car buyers.
Following George Osborne’s announcement regarding the controversial fuel duty plans, fleet manufacturers are expecting an increased turnout of visitors at the industry event, which takes place at Silverstone on the 18th of April.
“This year’s Budget, with its hike in fuel duty and increases in company car tax rates, has reinforced the importance for companies and their drivers of selecting low carbon vehicles to keep their tax bills and operating costs as low as possible,” said Ross Durkin, Fleet World Managing Editor and event organiser.
The higher costs that environmentally inefficient vehicles create for both businesses and individual drivers has encouraged more fleet decision-makers to select the lowest carbon-emitting vehicles.
Commenting on this year’s Budget, Durkin felt that “the major motor manufacturers have done such a brilliant job of reducing carbon emissions from their cars that it is possible to select models that make running an ultra-green fleet a relatively straightforward operation.”
Model debuts
The event will showcase a number of new models to the UK market. For example, Peugeot will unveil its new 208 supermini. The car will be on sale in the UK market this June and buyers will be able to choose from a range of three diesels and one petrol engine under the 99g/km mark.
Similarly, Citroën will introduce its new 200bhp DS5 Hybrid4. As the car maker claimed, it is the world’s first hybrid diesel, “boasting fuel consumption of 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.”
“This year’s Show gives fleet decision makers the ideal opportunity to see at first hand some of the latest low carbon technologies available – and to try them out for themselves. It also provides the perfect forum to discuss some of the latest mobility trends,” added Durkin, commenting on the event.
