Latest news with #MattFieldhouse
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major change for Blue Badge holders kicking in TODAY with 1,000s of disabled drivers set to miss out on £3,700 discount
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW government EV grant scheme goes live from today, which aims to encourage drivers to buy electric vehicles - by offering a discount of up to £3,750. But many disabled drivers and Blue Badge holders may struggle to benefit from the grant - due to its price cap. 3 A new EV grant has started which offers a discount of up to £3,750 on new electric motors Credit: Getty 3 Disabled drivers and Blue Badge holders may struggle to benefit from the grant Credit: Getty 3 The scheme, which goes live on August 11, works on several new EV models Credit: Getty Launched today, August 11, the scheme allows motorists to save up to £3,750 on new EVs priced under £37,000. But the initiative, part of a £650 million effort to boost EV adoption, has been criticised as it means Blue Badge holders may miss out. Industry experts have estimated that 11,000 disabled Blue Badge holders may not be eligible for the savings due to restrictive affordability criteria. They found that only 20 of the 40 most accessible and affordable EVs on the Motability Scheme meet the price threshold. To that end, half of the most practical models for disabled drivers and Blue Badge holders could be excluded from the scheme. And furthermore, disabled motorists often require vehicle adaptations or wheelchair-accessible conversions, but these are not covered under the scheme and must be paid out of pocket - making EVs less affordable for disabled individuals. Experts, such as Matt Fieldhouse of Mobility in Motion, argue that the scheme neglects the specific needs of disabled drivers. As reported by InsiderMedia, Fieldhouse said: "To make the transition to electric vehicles truly inclusive, the latest policy must consider additional support for disabled motorists. 'This includes raising the price cap for EVs under the Motability Scheme, recognising the additional costs of adapting your vehicle, and ensuring that grant eligibility reflects the real-world needs of disabled drivers - not just headline affordability." How to get a Blue Badge A Blue Badge offers parking benefits for disabled individuals with applications assessed by local councils, while costs vary across the UK. Moment row erupts as driver says 'I didn't hit your car, f---ing prove it' In England, Wales and Scotland, you can apply for a Blue Badge on the website, with some people qualifying for the badge automatically and others assessed on an individual basis. Local councils are the ones in charge of assessing eligibility for badges, with applications taking up to 12 weeks. Badges in England cost £10, whilst in Scotland, they are priced at £20. In Wales, badges are free. If the council decides you are not eligible for the badge, you can request them to reconsider your application. In the UK, wheelchair-accessible vehicles are those that have been modified by increasing the interior size of the vehicle and equipping it with a means of wheelchair entry, such as a wheelchair ramp or powered lift. The £600million-a-year Disabled Motability scheme offers essential support to individuals with severe physical or mental disabilities. The scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, supports around 589,000 claimants in England and Wales as of 2024. Which EVs are eligible for the new Electric Car Grant? When the new Electric Car Grant was announced by the government on 15 July 2025, it was revealed that, to qualify cars, must be priced at or under £37,000 as well as meeting other warranty, battery range and sustainability criteria. It was also revealed that there are two levels for the grant; Level 1, which is for cars that score more favourably against the government's sustainability criteria. These, in turn, will gain the maximum £3,750 grant. Level 2 cars, though, are deemed less sustainable and will receive the £1,500 grant. All cars approved for the grant so far fall into Level 2, making them eligible for a £1,500 discount.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
11,000 Blue Badge holders warned over rule change this week
It is due to the Labour government's new Electric Car Grant portal, which launched this Monday. Only 20 of the top 40 most accessible and affordable EVs on the Motability Scheme meet the grant's £37k price limit, leaving half of the most practical models excluded. This is according to Matt Fieldhouse, Group Managing Director and Car Expert at Mobility in Motion. Apparently it was Blue Badge enforcement day yesterday. Nearly 2% of inspected badges were seized … lower than I thought but still shameful. @ParkinsonsUK #Disability — Kevin Peake (@wcolts12) August 6, 2025 Fieldhouse also shared the top qualifying EVs for 2025 and his key tips for disabled drivers. He said: 'The UK Government's new Electric Car Grant (ECG), which launched this month, aims to make electric vehicles more affordable by offering up to £3,750 off new EVs under £37,000. However, the policy overlooks the needs of thousands of disabled drivers who access vehicles through the Motability Scheme. "In the first half of 2025 alone, around 225,000 new EVs were registered in the UK - and if we apply the current Blue Badge holder rate ( 4.9% of the UK population), that suggests around 11,025 disabled drivers are expected to purchase an EV car between now and December. "New research by Mobility in Motion shows that just 20 of the 40 most accessible and affordable EVs available through the Motability Scheme meet the government's price threshold for the new ECG grant, meaning half of the most practical and accessible EVs are already ruled out. "To make the transition to electric vehicles truly inclusive, the latest policy must consider additional support for disabled motorists. Recommended reading: "This includes raising the price cap for EVs under the Motability Scheme, recognising the additional costs of adapting your vehicle, and ensuring that grant eligibility reflects the real-world needs of disabled drivers - not just headline affordability." Speaking at the time of the Electric Car Grant announcement, Lilian Greenwood MP said Chinese manufacturers may be unable to apply for the grant because many factories are powered by coal, which would go against Labour's sustainability criteria. The Future of Roads Minister from the Labour Party government said: "Frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant."
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New Blue Badge rule change starting on Monday could see disabled drivers miss out on £3.7k discount
Thousands of disabled drivers may be unable to take advantage of major electric car incentives PARK OFF New Blue Badge rule change starting on Monday could see disabled drivers miss out on £3.7k discount Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FROM Monday, a new rule regarding EVs is coming into play. And thousands of Blue Badge holders are expected to be exempt from the payments. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Experts say additional support is needed for disabled drivers of electric vehicles The Government's new Electric Car Grant portal is expected to begin on August 11. And it means motorists buying vehicles under £37,000 will be eligible for the discount in a bid to drive demand for EVs. But, nearly 11,000 disabled Blue Badge holders may not be eligible for the big saving because of rules around affordability. Matt Fieldhouse is the Group Managing Director and Car Expert at Mobility in Motion. He said just 20 of the top 40 most accessible and affordable EVs on the Motability Scheme meet the criteria. As a result, half of the most practical models for disabled drivers and Blue Badge holders could be excluded from the scheme. It also means road users must meet the same rules and price cap as any other driver applying for the discount. Drivers will also have to pay out for any disability adaptations or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles conversions they may need out of their own pocket. Blue Badges – how to get them In England, Wales and Scotland, you can apply for a Blue Badge on the website. Some people qualify for the badge automatically, whilst others are assessed on an individual basis. Tesla's Cybertruck Graveyard: Hundreds of Unsold EVs Abandoned at Shopping Mall Local councils are in charge of assessing eligibility for badges, with applications taking up to 12 weeks. If the council decides you are not eligible for the badge, you can request them to reconsider your application. Badges in England cost £10, whilst in Scotland, they are priced at £20. Badges in Wales are free. In the UK, wheelchair-accessible vehicles are those that have been modified by increasing the interior size of the vehicle and equipping it with a means of wheelchair entry, such as a wheelchair ramp or powered lift. The £600million-a-year Disabled Motability scheme offers essential support to individuals with severe physical or mental disabilities. The scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, supports around 589,000 claimants in England and Wales as of 2024. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
New Blue Badge rule change starting on Monday could see disabled drivers miss out on £3.7k discount
FROM Monday, a new rule regarding EVs is coming into play. And thousands of Blue Badge holders are expected to be exempt from the payments. 2 The Government's new Electric Car Grant portal is expected to begin on August 11. And it means motorists buying vehicles under £37,000 will be eligible for the discount in a bid to drive demand for EVs. But, nearly 11,000 disabled Blue Badge holders may not be eligible for the big saving because of rules around affordability. Matt Fieldhouse is the Group Managing Director and Car Expert at Mobility in Motion. He said just 20 of the top 40 most accessible and affordable EVs on the Motability Scheme meet the criteria. As a result, half of the most practical models for disabled drivers and Blue Badge holders could be excluded from the scheme. It also means road users must meet the same rules and price cap as any other driver applying for the discount. Drivers will also have to pay out for any disability adaptations or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles conversions they may need out of their own pocket. Blue Badges – how to get them In England, Wales and Scotland, you can apply for a Blue Badge on the website. Some people qualify for the badge automatically, whilst others are assessed on an individual basis. Local councils are in charge of assessing eligibility for badges, with applications taking up to 12 weeks. If the council decides you are not eligible for the badge, you can request them to reconsider your application. Badges in England cost £10, whilst in Scotland, they are priced at £20. Badges in Wales are free. In the UK, wheelchair-accessible vehicles are those that have been modified by increasing the interior size of the vehicle and equipping it with a means of wheelchair entry, such as a wheelchair ramp or powered lift. The £600million-a-year Disabled Motability scheme offers essential support to individuals with severe physical or mental disabilities. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. 2
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Blue Badge holders warned over new rule change starting next week
Blue badge holders have been issued a warning about the changes set to come into effect from next week in the government's new Electric Car Grant portal More than 11,000 blue badge holders could lose out on £3,750 assistance because of strict affordability requirements in the government's fresh Electric Car Grant portal, which is due to go live on August 11. Matt Fieldhouse, group managing director and car expert at Mobility in Motion, has cautioned that only 20 of the leading 40 most accessible and budget-friendly EVs on the Motability Scheme satisfy the grant's £37k price ceiling. This means half of the most suitable models are ruled out. Matt has revealed the top qualifying EVs for 2025 and shared crucial advice for disabled motorists. It comes after news that anyone buying fuel next week could be given a '£15 charge' warning by The AA. On the upcoming change, Matt shared: "The UK Government's new Electric Car Grant (ECG), which launched this month, aims to make electric vehicles more affordable by offering up to £3,750 off new EVs under £37,000. However, the policy overlooks the needs of thousands of disabled drivers who access vehicles through the Motability Scheme. "In the first half of 2025 alone, around 225,000 new EVs were registered in the UK - and if we apply the current Blue Badge holder rate (4.9% of the UK population), that suggests around 11,025 disabled drivers are expected to purchase an EV car between now and December". He continued: "New research by Mobility in Motion shows that just 20 of the 40 most accessible and affordable EVs available through the Motability Scheme meet the government's price threshold for the new ECG grant, meaning half of the most practical and accessible EVs are already ruled out. To make the transition to electric vehicles truly inclusive, the latest policy must consider additional support for disabled motorists. "This includes raising the price cap for EVs under the Motability Scheme, recognising the additional costs of adapting your vehicle, and ensuring that grant eligibility reflects the real-world needs of disabled drivers - not just headline affordability." When the Electric Car Grant was announced, Lilian Greenwood MP hinted that Chinese manufacturers could be excluded from the scheme because many factories rely on coal power, which would clash with Labour's green agenda, reports Yorkshire Live. The Future of Roads Minister from the Labour government stated: "Frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant."
