Picking our pockets in the name of Gaia

Motorists are going to get a discount if they buy limited range slow charging electric vehicles, guess where the discount is going to come from taxpayers?

Daily Mail.

The first nine plug-in electric cars to qualify for discounts of up to £5,000 are revealed today.

The 'green' emissions-free cars which can be charged up from household mains and deliver 2p-a-mile motoring, go on sale from the New Year with a Government 'Plug-IN Car Grant'.

From January 1, 2011, motorists buying the first three of the named electric cars will get 25 per cent off, up to a maximum of £5,000.

The electric 'plug-in' discount comes as the Government also announces more places around Britain where the cars can be charged up when out on the road.

The taxpayer hand-out aims to kick-start the market for electric vehicles, which are exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

 I don't see why I as a taxpayer should be subsidising anyones buying preference, particularly when the vehicles involved are absolutely no use to me whatsoever. They have limited range, drive at night, in fog or just have the heater going it can get a lot less, large charging times and what they don't tell you is limited battery life with the power pack having to be replaced after 5 or so years at a coat of... you guessed it £5,000. OK if you're just knocking about town occasionally, even then watch your power bills go through the roof too. You might not be buying petrol, but you will be buying electricity.
On top of this usual green madness is the fact the government is handing over taxpayers cash to subsidise this, I'm sure the usual reasons will be trotted out, investing in our future, prices will come down if more are bought, emerging technology etc. Still picking my pocket to do it though.
Can't imagine what will happen when the lights go out in 2012 when the power stations start closing down, doubt the windmills will keep this lot going.