Plug in grant for electric motorcycles now official

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is pleased to announce that the public will soon be able to enjoy a subsidy for electric motorcycles and scooters, which has so far only been available for four wheel vehicles.

Unlike cars, electric motorcycles and scooters can be charged at home or work using normal plug sockets, which makes them more accessible.

The price of each vehicle will be reduced by £1500 or 20% of the total purchase cost (screen price), whichever is the smaller number.

The grant will be made available for new road registered electric motorcycles and scooters reaching certain quality criteria, which include having a battery with 5 years warranty and a good range.

MCIA has been involved in negotiations with OLEV, the government department which encourages low emission vehicles, for the past three years.  An initial announcement about extending the grant to motorcycles and scooters was made by the Coalition Government in March 2015; however the detail was not confirmed until now. 

Details of how manufacturers and importers can have their bikes assessed for eligibility will be on the OLEV website from next week.  (See website address below).

Customers wanting to buy an electric motorcycle will be able to find out which ones are eligible once manufacturers have applied for the grant and been accepted.

This announcement comes as part of a £35 million boost for ultra low emission vehicles announced this week, to encourage the uptake of zero emission motorcycles and scooters.

Steve Kenward, CEO of the MCIA says this should help make electric vehicles and travel more affordable for many people: “This opens the door to zero emission transport to people who have not been able to afford electric cars, which tended to have been a ‘lifestyle choice’. Motorcycles and scooters are an extremely accessible form of electric transport and have the capacity to significantly reduce congestion, since they share all the advantages of riding a regular powered two wheeler.  Riders can filter through traffic, often use bus lanes and usually get closer to their end destination, cutting door to door journey times.  

“Motorcycles are exempt from congestion charges with ‘fuel’ costing the equivalent of a penny a mile and nothing to pay for vehicle tax, plus cheaper or free parking. Switching to an electric motorcycle or scooter could result in huge savings for the average commuter, or for businesses which operate fleet vehicles.” 

H-C Travel, the UK’s longest established and leading motorcycle tour operator, is excited to announce today the launch of a new US subsidiary to take on key operational elements of its Orange & Black Harley-Davidson® authorised motorcycle tours and rentals programme. David Grist is President and Colorado-based Gary ‘Bear’ Fleshman is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of H-C Travel Inc.

David Grist, owner of H-C Travel, says “Our company mantra has always been ‘only the best is good enough!’ I am continually looking at how we can improve our tour services to ensure that we offer a unique and unrivalled motorcycling experience for our customers. Setting up a US subsidiary makes total commercial and professional sense for us, and our customers. I am absolutely delighted that Gary has agreed to join us. Apart from being one the best tour guides on the planet, he brings unrivalled touring knowledge and incredible enthusiasm to the company.”

This move will bring several immediate and longer term advantages:

• Added flexibility in the design and running of Orange & Black guided and self-guided tours
• Increased responsiveness to meet the wishes of a growing and loyal customer base
• Improved financial control and enhanced protection from the vagaries of a volatile exchange rate
• Access to the US motorcycle touring market and stronger US business relationships
• New opportunities to work with travel trade partners and motorcycle clubs worldwide

Customers will see immediate benefits:

• No tour or rental price increases for all 2017 bookings made in 2016
• Improved on-tour services
• A new tour, guided by Gary – Legends of the West, in October 2017
• A new self-guided tour – Tour 49, crossing from Calgary, Canada  into the USA and back
• Guaranteed 2017 Harley-Davidson authorised motorcycles for all customers (with the all new Milwaukee-Eight engine on all touring models).

H-C Travel Inc. is a company incorporated in Delaware and registered in Colorado.  H-C Travel Ltd was established in 1994 as a specialist motorcycle tour operator in the UK. Its Orange & Black brand offers Harley-Davidson® authorised guided tours, self-guided tours and rentals in the USA. It is uniquely positioned in the UK motorcycle tour market with professional travel industry recognition, ATOL bonding and TTA membership to provide legal and financial peace of mind for our customers.

H-C Travel, the UK’s longest established and leading motorcycle tour operator, is excited to announce today the launch of a new US subsidiary to take on key operational elements of its Orange & Black Harley-Davidson® authorised motorcycle tours and rentals programme. David Grist is President and Colorado-based Gary ‘Bear’ Fleshman is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of H-C Travel Inc.
 
David Grist, owner of H-C Travel, says “Our company mantra has always been ‘only the best is good enough!’ I am continually looking at how we can improve our tour services to ensure that we offer a unique and unrivalled motorcycling experience for our customers. Setting up a US subsidiary makes total commercial and professional sense for us, and our customers. I am absolutely delighted that Gary has agreed to join us. Apart from being one the best tour guides on the planet, he brings unrivalled touring knowledge and incredible enthusiasm to the company.”
 
This move will bring several immediate and longer term advantages:

• Added flexibility in the design and running of Orange & Black guided and self-guided tours
• Increased responsiveness to meet the wishes of a growing and loyal customer base
• Improved financial control and enhanced protection from the vagaries of a volatile exchange rate
• Access to the US motorcycle touring market and stronger US business relationships
• New opportunities to work with travel trade partners and motorcycle clubs worldwide

Customers will see immediate benefits:

• No tour or rental price increases for all 2017 bookings made in 2016
• Improved on-tour services
• A new tour, guided by Gary – Legends of the West, in October 2017
• A new self-guided tour – Tour 49, crossing from Calgary, Canada  into the USA and back
• Guaranteed 2017 Harley-Davidson® authorised motorcycles for all customers (with the all new Milwaukee-Eight engine on all touring models).

H-C Travel Inc. is a company incorporated in Delaware and registered in Colorado. H-C Travel Ltd was established in 1994 as a specialist motorcycle tour operator in the UK. Its Orange & Black brand offers Harley-Davidson authorised guided tours, self-guided tours and rentals in the USA. It is uniquely positioned in the UK motorcycle tour market with professional travel industry recognition, ATOL bonding and TTA membership to provide legal and financial peace of mind for our customers.

www.orange-and-black.co.uk

In only its second year of trading, Bikeshuttle was delighted to end the 2016 season having relocated to larger premises and transported some 211 motorbikes between the UK and Geneva; 160% up on its inaugural year.

“Riders are fast discovering we’re the only weekly scheduled service to carry your bike to central Europe now that train operators like Autoslaap have disappeared,” says Guy Buswell, co-founder of Bikeshuttle. Riders love that we save them not only the tedium of riding 1,500 miles of motorways through France, but that they also get to enjoy more quality time on decent alpine roads; up to three days more,” he suggests.

Bikeshuttle started as a simple concept where riders headed to its Northants depot and had their bikes loaded onto a purpose-built lorry, which travelled overnight through France to Geneva. The riders, meantime, flew to Geneva arriving fresh to start their touring holidays.

“Judging by the reviews we’ve had, people are amazed to find their bikes ready and waiting for them after breakfast the following morning. The level of repeat bookings shows how delighted they are with the value and professionalism of our service,” says Guy.

Dates for 2017 departures/returns are now live on the website bikeshuttle.co.uk where prices start at £435 for returns. The service runs weekly from mid May to the end of September and provides the easiest, most cost-effective way to tour central Europe or visit race meetings like MotoGP.

Bikeshuttle may add extra capacity in certain weeks if there is sufficient demand. It will also consider discounts to group bookings of more than 10.

Overnight stays in Geneva can all be organised through Bikeshuttle as can bike storage at both ends of the journey, making weekend breaks to the Alps a real possibility. Bike leathers, helmets, boots and luggage are all transported in special cases on the lorry, leaving riders with just hand baggage for the flight.

Enquiries about the Bikeshuttle service can be made at [email protected], or by calling 01327 831552.

About Bikeshuttle

Bikeshuttle is a weekly scheduled motorcycle transportation service between the UK and Geneva, operating from May to September. Riders fly from the UK to Geneva, or from Geneva to Luton at their own expense to be reunited with their bikes, ready to enjoy their touring holiday. More information at www.bikeshuttle.com

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