With CO2 emissions of just 48g/km, the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will still benefit from the newly confirmed Ultra Low Emission Discount (ULED) for London’s Congestion Charge scheme when the new limit of 75g/km of CO2 comes into force on 1st July 2013.
Recently confirmed by Transport for London, the current Greener Vehicle Discount and Electric Vehicle Discount will be replaced by the ULED and bring the CO2 eligibility of vehicles down from 100g/km to 75g/km.
This means that the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will still benefit from free entry into London’s Congestion Charge zone as well as reduced parking fees in some areas, at the same time as attracting zero first year vehicle tax and zero annual vehicle tax. Companies purchasing the car also benefit from 100% first year write down allowance.
Volvo’s most technically advanced model meets all the criteria laid out in the Mayor’s new policy for plug-in hybrids, such as (figures in brackets are for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid):
– Minimum electric range of 10 miles (up to 31 miles)
– Maximum electric speed of at least 60mph (78mph)
– Rechargeable battery pack charged from an external source and combustion engine (11.2kW lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged via standard UK household 3-pin plug and also using the diesel engine)
Hybrid Benefit In Kind taxation was originally expected to rise from the current (2013-14) 5% to 15% in 2015-16. However, the government has now confirmed that vehicles emitting between zero and 50g/km of CO2, which the V60 D6 AWD falls into, will be taxed at 5% in 2015-16 and 7% in 2016-17, instead of the higher 51-75g/km band, taxed at 9% and 11% respectively.
Having recently been announced at the Geneva Motor Show 2013 in March, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has undergone a number of enhancements to the interior and exterior design and also the addition of a greater choice of colours and available features. Available in SE Lux Nav specification and priced from £48,775 (£43,775 including the £5000 Plug-in Car Grant) on-the-road, it features newly developed technology such as Active Bending Xenon Headlights with permanent high-beam and Cyclist Detection.
The V60 Plug-in Hybrid features a 215hp diesel engine powering the front wheels while a 70hp electric motor powers the rear wheels. It has three selectable modes (Pure, Hybrid and Power) allowing the driver to dictate the way he/she wants to drive. Reaching speeds of up to 78mph in pure electric mode, while offering a 0-60mph time of just 5.8 seconds, all-wheel-drive capability, but still certified to 48g/km of CO2, the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is a completely unique offering in the vehicle marketplace.
