‘Pedelecs fall under electric vehicle umbrella’ - BAG

The Bicycling Advocacy Group (BAG) called on the government to extend to pedelecs the grants, scrappage and training schemes and capital investment earmarked for electric cars.

Pedelecs too were electric vehicles and deserved the same consideration by government as electric cars.

BAG praised the government’s decision to extend the electric car grants and investment in public charging points and training for the new technologies.

“The current policy and punitive restrictions on pedelecs is not helping to promote the most emission-free electric vehicle, with industry sources quoting a drop in sales of 75% in the first quarter of this year,” the group said in a statement.

It suggested a 50% grant on the purchase of pedelecs, saying this would help offset the competition from budget 125cc motorcycles which occupy the same price bracket.

The group also wants pedelec users to be granted access to public charging points, currently used to recharge electric dedicated parking areas.

“The new scheme for cars is a great initiative but it is important that we use every opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions that will eventually mean lower taxation for all car drivers,” BAG said.

It pointed out that Malta was one of the few EU states to see a fall in pedelec use and sales; in Italy, sales were growing by 3%.

“The new scheme needs to welcome pedelecs as equal partners and reverse the current downtrend that will nurture the industry,” the group said.