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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: MostlyBonkers on September 28, 2015, 08:27:35 PM

Title: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on September 28, 2015, 08:27:35 PM
Hi all,

I need five email addresses to start a petition to get the government to implement the subsidy on electric bikes. They promised it and didn't follow through - the excuse being a change of government it seems... That's pretty weak.

If you live in the UK and are happy to sign the petition, please send me your email address via private message. I only need five to get it going and then I'll post the link here. If you could also reply to this topic, then it might prevent me getting 50 emails instead of five or so.

Cheers,

Tom.

Title: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on September 28, 2015, 08:41:22 PM
I don't need email addresses after all. Just five people to click the link as per the instructions below.

Forward the email below to your potential supporters.

5 people need to click the link and confirm their support for us to publish your petition.

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament

I’ve made a petition – will you sign it?

Click this link to sign the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/109535/sponsors/jRSsDzvIDeqDjjMUp9

My petition:

Implement the subsidy for electric motorcycles as promised

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market The money is there, Zero Motorcyles have made a commitment to return to the UK on the back of this. What's the hold up?

Click this link to sign the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/109535/sponsors/jRSsDzvIDeqDjjMUp9
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: GBEV on September 29, 2015, 02:39:59 AM
Done, signed and forwarded. Thanks for starting the ball rolling, it was really easy  :o.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: mikeisted on September 29, 2015, 04:22:15 AM
Done!
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: PhreaK on September 29, 2015, 06:38:53 AM
I don't live in the UK, but put my British citizenship to good use. Added a signature from the colony (Australia).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on September 29, 2015, 07:13:21 AM
Thanks Gents! Two more and we will have a fully active petition.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on September 29, 2015, 08:09:49 PM
Signed.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on September 29, 2015, 11:41:44 PM
Thanks Justin. The current status is we have reached the threshold and they are checking the petition before it is published.  More news when it comes.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 01, 2015, 01:53:48 AM
Wow, this is a slow process! Here's the latest:

7 people have supported your petition so far. We’re checking your petition to make sure it meets the petition standards. If it does, we’ll publish it.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Erasmo on October 01, 2015, 02:17:57 AM
I wish I could sign but I'm no UK resident.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 01, 2015, 03:23:45 AM
Once it goes live, which it should, I'm hoping that we can all forward it to our friends. Hopefully you know one or two people in the UK Erasmo?

What I love about this is the political slant. The fact that it is such an obvious thing to do, they said they would do it and then a new government comes in and backtracks.

I hope we get thousands of signatures. I'll probably even  compose a short message that can go out with the link in an email.  It's worth mentioning that electric bikes are quiet. How many people hate the noise of motorcycles polluting their tranquility? There must be a few signatures just there!

Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Worksoptony on October 01, 2015, 11:53:35 AM
Done
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 02, 2015, 09:04:42 PM
They're still checking it:

9 people have supported your petition so far. We’re checking your petition to make sure it meets the petition standards. If it does, we’ll publish it.

Find out how we check petitions before we publish them:
https://petition.parliament.uk/help#standards
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 07, 2015, 12:24:49 PM
40 signatures so far. I think we're published.

Time to email your friends, post on Facebook, Twitter and generally spread the word if you can.

Thanks to all those who've taken the time to sign already. Even if you aren't from the UK, please send the link to any Brits you know.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 13, 2015, 02:18:55 AM
We seem to have stalled at 41 signatures. Something tells me it's not going viral...

I posted it on Facebook and got one comment from my wife: "Only you dear." Or something like that.

Perhaps I'll bully some colleagues at work into signing... ;-)
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Erasmo on October 13, 2015, 02:28:50 AM
Did you also post it in the Zero owners group?
Title: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 13, 2015, 02:35:04 AM
I have, just now.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 24, 2015, 01:02:07 AM
We're still stuck at 41 signatures... Either there's a glitch or, and I hate to say this, but it was an utter waste of time.

I'm staggered that none of my Facebook friends appear to have signed. I don't think we got any more signatures after I posted in the Zero owners group either.

I appreciate that the lack of a subsidy on electric motorcycles is very much a first world problem. I also realise that if someone is going to take a little time and effort to fill in their address and tick a box or two they may feel there are more worthwhile causes.

I'll pester my wife to sign just to see if we get to 42: the answer to life, the universe and everything!
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 24, 2015, 11:20:05 PM
Wife just signed so we're on 42! Just another 9,958 to go...
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Erasmo on October 25, 2015, 12:10:36 AM
It's hard to raise awareness even harder when you're bound to one country, I guess that a lot of riders are happy to sign but just don't know that there is a petition.

Perhaps you could print some flyers to disperse at the local motorcycle hangouts, go door to door with a tablet or even maybe ask Robert  Robert Llewellyn(the bloke from Fully Charged) if he could mention you on Twitter or something.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 25, 2015, 12:15:16 AM
Thanks Erasmo. I did tweet Robert with the petition as it happens. He either missed it or choose to ignore it. I might try Stephen Fry next.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Jerome3 on October 28, 2015, 09:27:48 PM
Hi Tom,

What a great idea! I've signed.

I just spoken to Jason at Streetbike. He advised that (1) hopefully there'll be news before the end of November, but (2) it isn't known what form or amount the grant will take - a  credit as for cars or a reduction in Vat.

I suggest:
- we need a co-ordinated campaign to get the initial 10,000 signatures, then 100,000 to get it debated in parliament. Aim high :)
- the more pressure we apply the sooner it will happen,
- the following steps:
  - contact UK trade associations who are probably best placed to co-ordinate this
  - contact Zero - what’s their plan?
  - create a Facebook page to inform, update and educate
  - write to your MP - I’ve just done so - text below.
  - contact BBC/ITV/CH4 etc - try and get a programme made about electric bikes. - Anyone got any contacts?
  - contact all bike magazine editors - I can do this as I have some contacts
  - write to all newspaper motoring correspondents
  - write to all famous bikers ……. but how? - probably through bike magazine editors
  - write to pro electric campaigners as above.


Suggested MP Letter

Dear xxxxxxx,

Subject: Electric Motorcycle Grant

The coalition government announced a grant policy on 27 March 2015 (see below) but no grants are available yet.

Please can you ask the Business Minister, Anna Sourby, when the grant will be available, how much it will be and how it will be paid?

The government's inactivity prevents me from placing an order as I want to avoid 'no retrospective grants.’

Yours sincerely,

xxxxxxxxxx

Motorcycles and scooters will join cars, vans, trucks and buses in the government’s drive for greener vehicles.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market)
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Erasmo on October 28, 2015, 10:16:42 PM
I've send a few UK bikers that I know a message, hopefully they will sign.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 28, 2015, 11:47:12 PM
Thanks Jerome, it's great to see your enthusiasm for this.  Despite my efforts, I've only managed to add a few signatures to the petition in the last few days.  A list of suggestions is very helpful.  Being a bloke, it does help to have a list! :-)

We could use this thread to coordinate a campaign.  I shall redouble my efforts!

Thanks also Erasmo.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Jerome3 on October 29, 2015, 02:19:44 AM
My MP has replied as below and I'll let you know the response:

Dear Mr Bullard,
Thanks for getting in touch and for your interest.
I understood that the grants were due to be made available from this summer, but I will ask the Department for Business for an update on timescales, and I will share the Minister's response with you
Best wishes,
Zac Goldsmith
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 29, 2015, 04:24:47 AM
Excellent! Far more effective than a petition so far then! [emoji4]
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 29, 2015, 02:48:54 PM
I've just sent your email to my local MP.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on October 29, 2015, 04:22:43 PM
As have I
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: GBEV on October 30, 2015, 09:00:36 PM
Me too, Third time I have written to my local Tory  ::) MP about green energy and have yet to receive a reply!

(Note to our American friends who weren't sure. Tory = Republican ie regressive)

I also added this bit, hope you like it ;);

If your party want nuclear and hydrogen to the be the future in the UK then may I kindly point out that there is a 4 billion year supply of both in the centre of our solar system as can be verified by all the UKs progressive non flat earthers each and every day just by looking up!

All it takes for all us Britts to benefit right now from this abundantly free and clean natural resource is some real political leadership promoting turbines (water and wind, on shore as well!) and solar panels.

I note however your party seems intent on reducing all feed in tarifs , which were to assist with green energy adoption, in favour of supporting the legacy oil industry.

So I conclude that, meanwhile, the oil and gas industry are clearly currently being very successful in lobbying against such weak leadership.

That is self evident by the fact that they have succeeded by getting your party to mandate their ability to frack at liberty for hydro carbons under my house yet all on shore wind turbine installers, including the very well known green energy provider Ecotricity whose mantra is "converting bills to mills" who provides all the power for the UKs electric highway for electric vehicles, have now been prevented from installing any more wind turbines on land in the UK. That whilst we Britts have the best wind resource in Europe!

We need the right policies for the future now before we are all fracked.

Yours...



Guys you may want to add these two addressees to your email or forward your email on to them like I did :D;

olev.enquiries@olev.gsi.gov.uk,
politics@theguardian.com
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Erasmo on October 30, 2015, 09:56:31 PM
And we're at 51 :P

MostlyBonkers you might also want to contact a few well known UK Motobloggers on Youtube, I'm sure you know your fair share of them.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 30, 2015, 10:46:07 PM
Good idea Erasmo, I'll add that suggestion to the list.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on October 30, 2015, 10:50:42 PM
I've had a response!

**********

Thank you for your email regarding the implementation of electric motorcycle grants. Anne has asked me to respond to your email so that you have a reply as quickly as possible.
 
Anne has asked me to let you know that further to your email, she has written to Anne Soubry MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, regarding this matter. Specifically she has requested the timescale for this scheme to be brought into practise, and any further information regarding the implementation of this grant. We will, of course, let you know as soon as we receive a response.
 
Thank you once again for your email to Anne.

**********

Let's hope the minister is as responsive as my local MP, who happens to be a Tory by the way.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: GBEV on October 31, 2015, 01:20:18 AM
I too have had the first ever response form our local Tory MP.

Unfortunately not worth posting as it is just a load of cut and pasted paragraphs about what her government want us to think they are actualy doing about green issues like local lack of charge points which I had already emailed her about.

Sadly there was not even a mention of the plug in motorcycle grant so I  replied and pointed out that omission was noted and I awaited a relevant reply to the actual subject in the header ::).

BTW I think it was the CC link to the Guardian political section which flushed her out ;D



Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on November 16, 2015, 06:59:54 PM
There's talk that something might actually happen with this subsidy soon.

I wonder if this petition and a few of us writing to our local MP's had made a difference?
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on November 16, 2015, 10:19:16 PM
If there is going to be an announcement, then I suspect the most likely date is November 25th, which is the Autumn budget statement.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on November 23, 2015, 08:37:57 PM
Well blow me, I got a response from our Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise!  It came in via my local MP.  I'm afraid it isn't the news we want, but it's certainly better than nothing.  In a nutshell:  It's being looked at in consideration under the current Spending Review.

Here's the response from my local MP:


*****************
As you are aware, further to previous correspondence, Anne wrote to the Government regarding the grants for low-emission motorcycles.

We have since received a response which I have attached to this email for your information. It appears that this is still under consideration and that we are still waiting to hear further information following the Spending Review.

Hopefully we will find out more information soon.

With best wishes,
*****************

With best wishes?  Not even a "Now get back in your little hole, you worthless peasant!" ???

I've attached a screenshot of the letter, which I've redacted to remove any details that would incriminate me...  ;-)

That has been my first ever foray into the world of politics, other than voting and marching against the Gulf War a number of years ago.  A million people marching in the streets of London didn't make a difference then so I must admit I'm pleasantly surprised! (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2765041.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2765041.stm)).




Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on November 26, 2015, 05:15:03 AM
Did anyone get any info on this from today's budget speech? I haven't looked into it yet.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on November 26, 2015, 05:23:58 AM
No specifics in the speech, but there was this in the statement document.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-and-autumn-statement-2015-documents (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-and-autumn-statement-2015-documents)

Quote
11.10

The government will spend more than £600 million between 2015-16 and 2020-21 to support uptake and manufacturing of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) in the UK, maintaining the global leadership that has seen 1 in 4 of all European electric vehicles built here and keep the UK on track for all new cars to be effectively zero emission by 2040. This investment will save 65 million tonnes of carbon and help deliver the Long Term answer on urban air quality.


Take from that what you will.


I'm still getting over the rather stupid gaffe by the Shadow Chancellor myself...  ::)
Title: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on November 26, 2015, 03:10:38 PM
Thanks Justin. Judging by that and the letter from the Minister, I'd say we have a few more months to wait for anything concrete.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 10, 2015, 04:15:40 AM
The petition wasn't very successful, unless it's presence was as important as the number of signatures. Maybe the letters to local MP's helped. Or maybe the timing was fortuitous with COP21 happening at around the same time. The net result is that Streetbike sound confident that there is some solid news around the corner. Also that it's worth hanging on for a few weeks as the subsidy is likely to go live in January. It feels like waiting for a miracle to happen!

In the meantime, please enjoy a look at another UK petition that has had considerably more success:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/114003

Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Doug S on December 10, 2015, 04:51:28 AM
As an American in (what I presume is) good standing, let me just go on the record as apologizing to the rest of the world for the donald's election antics. Please be assured that he's max'ed out at about 30% of the vote of the slightly smaller of our two political parties, or somewhat less than 15% of the total vote, and the rest of us are as incredulous as you are even at that. Those of us who belong to the other party are silently praying he DOES win the nomination, since that would essentially guarantee victory to our party's candidate.

Also please remember that we helped win WWII, we invented the transistor, television, computers and iPhones. Oh, and Tesla, not to mention Brammo and Zero motorcycles! On balance I'm still somewhat proud of being an American.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 10, 2015, 05:26:43 AM
I love it Doug! [emoji4]

I hadn't intended to make a sideways stab at American politics, just to illustrate how powerful a high profile media splash can get people to make the effort. Over 300,000 in a few days? It's amother demonstration of how powerful the media is. I guess a lot of it is fear. We all know that comments like his can't be taken seriously but we'll go to the effort of signing a petition just to be on the safe side.

As for Americans in general... Just the fact that Mr Trump thinks he can get up on stage and make statements like that says it all really. How far out of touch with reality is it possible to be?

I respect you as an individual Doug. I think that a lot of things that America and Americans stand for are honourable. However, that is a seriously screwed up country you have there my friend! The American dream seems to have turned into the American delusion.

I have faith that good will prevail. It isn't all bad. We have a lot of work to do over here in the UK too.

I do hope I'm not offending anyone here. Politics eh? It really seems to quash our efforts towards the environment and the simple things in life like the freedom of the road and the rush of the wind. I need a holiday...
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Doug S on December 10, 2015, 08:43:30 AM
Nah, of course I was joking, I couldn't be prouder to be an American, and especially a Californian. Sure, politically we have our share of morons (perhaps a bit more than our share), and in reality Trump isn't the worst of the lot (look up Rafael [Ted] Cruz and Darrell Issa, for two). But both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are dynamic, progressive, affirmative choices, and it's pretty clear that one of them will win. My personal first choice, Elizabeth Warren, chose not to even run this time, but she's waiting in the wings. Our House and Senate are just a pendulum swing away from normalcy -- they swing back and forth regularly. More and more states are adopting independent commissions to draw their districts, so the specter of gerrymandering will soon join slavery in our long list of bad memories.

But who cares about politics anyhow? Everything I said was true -- we invent ALL the cool stuff. Extreme creativity is encouraged, fostered and funded, diversity is celebrated (except for the above-mentioned morons) and life is generally very, very good. I can't imagine moving out of California.

I was going to apologize for hijacking the thread, but it's your thread, so hijack away!
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 10, 2015, 01:17:03 PM
I spend far too much time commuting and sitting inside because it's cold and wet outside. It's easy to feel a bit jealous of people living it up in sunny California. Pointing my finger makes me feel a bit better about life here in the gloom occasionally! We have pubs. All those smartphones run on chips designed in Cambridge. We  have cool stuff too! [emoji4]
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on December 10, 2015, 02:04:15 PM
Quote
invented the ... television, computers

Very very Debatable ;)

The first mechanical computer was built in antiquity.
Certainly the first programming language and programs were developed by Lady Lovelace back in the 19 Century.
The first Turing complete mechanical mathematical computer was designed (and partly built) by Babbage and Lovelace.
Alan Turing develops the ideas that underpin all modern computers.
The Germans with the work of Zuse probably got to the electro-mechanical computer first with the Z1
The first fully electronic vacuum tube computer was the American ABC machine
The first digital programmable computer was built in Britain (Colossus)
The first Turing complete computer is built in the US (ENIAC)

So who invented the computer?
Take your pick. :p


Oh, and don't bandy the television one around certain parts of Scotland if you want to leave with all your body parts in the same place you arrived... ;)

Annnyway, I digress too.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Doug S on December 11, 2015, 09:50:08 PM
Very very Debatable ;)

Hey, come on now, nobody really INVENTS anything these days. They just advance the art to a plateau where it's very useful to people. Thomas Edison didn't invent the lightbulb, Nikola Tesla didn't invent the AC motor, James Watt didn't invent the steam engine, they just made them work well enough that people could use them.

And you left out John von Neumann and one of my personal favorites (along with Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing), Rear Admiral "Amazing" Grace Hopper. Hopper created the first compiler and perhaps more importantly, coined the term "debugging".

Honestly I don't know much about television...I thought it had pretty much been invented by RCA. Wikipedia's entry shows a very long, winding development route, but again, it caught fire when someone (looks like it was RCA) actually made it worth having in the home.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Erasmo on December 11, 2015, 10:45:51 PM
How about steering back to the other political issue about the government subsidies.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 12, 2015, 01:52:24 PM
Good plan. Still no news. I hope the civil servants can hold themselves back from their Christmas lunches long enough to put something in ink before they all shut down for the holidays. We've be waiting too long and I'm getting fed up with all the anticipation. They'll probably think we should be grateful too when their lack of action has held back progress for years. Imagine if we'd got the subsidy in 2013? That would have been a good time to implement it. Zero might not have pulled out of the UK market and we'd see a few Zeros on the streets. It's pathetic really but I'm am glad that something is finally happening.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 13, 2015, 03:12:36 AM
I don't know what you've heard,but I contacted OLEV  when I put a Deposit down on the Police Spec Zero's.They in formed me the budget for it would be decided at the spending review..............I waited a few days,and contacted the Department of Transport...........they told me that the 31m allocated for 'Other Vehicles' had been thrown out the window,and the budget had increased,I think they said to about 60m.
Asked if they were likely to be making a decision anytime Soon now.........and guess what,they couldn't really give me an answer.............coulsn't organise a piss up in a brewery springs to mind,how difficult is it to say if motorcycles are eligible or not,country's run by a bunch of clowns !!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 13, 2015, 12:55:21 PM
Well done for trying. We don't get value for money from all the tax we pay, that's for sure! I'd like to see the government run like the service industry. Lots of focus on customer service rather than bureaucracy. Much more accountability. Much more agility. Cut the bullshit too.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 16, 2015, 10:18:55 PM
I've just sent an email to my local MP to see if there's anything she can do to expedite the process of getting the subsidy implemented.  Or at the very least confirming that the subsidy will be applied retrospectively to any motorcycles purchased this month.

If anyone has any other contact details for government officials that might be able to help move this forward, please post them here or send me a private message.

 
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 16, 2015, 11:04:16 PM
I've also just sent this email to OLEV:

*****************
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
You may be aware that Zero Motorcycles have come back to the UK market and have a dealership arrangement with Streetbike in Birmingham.  This is a great leap forward for an industry that is struggling to get established in this country.
 
Many potential customers have been waiting for news on a subsidy to help with the high initial cost of the motorcycles for most of the year:
 
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market)
 
We recently heard that the subsidy was coming and approximately ten customers have got their bikes waiting for them at Streetbike whilst we await further news.  All we need is confirmation that the subsidy will be retrospective so that we can all complete our deals and take delivery of our bikes.  Can you at least confirm that whilst the details of the subsidy are being finalised please?  It would make a big difference to everyone who has put their faith in electric vehicles and who are currently waiting in limbo with no solid information.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
********************

Please send them an email yourself if you can: olev.enquiries@olev.gsi.gov.uk

Further details are here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-low-emission-vehicles (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-low-emission-vehicles)


Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 16, 2015, 11:52:58 PM
Stirling effort MostlyBonkers, If you don't mind I'll use yours as a template,to do the same my end.
Been 2 days and haven't heard anything from OLEV........Wonder if they've broken up already !!!!
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 17, 2015, 01:17:26 AM
Thanks.

Yes I meant to say use it as a template if you wish.

I get the feeling nobody is doing any work now. Our office is dead already! Fingers crossed there's a conscientious civil servant or two out there.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on December 17, 2015, 03:12:58 AM
Hello.
 
In reference to the proposed motorcycle grant / subsidy, in light of the governments enthusiastic commitment to the Paris COP21 climate change talks.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market)
 
I have heard that recently the subsidy was coming and approximately ten customers, of which I am one, have their bikes waiting for them at Streetbike whilst we await further news. I would like confirmation that the subsidy will be retrospective, or due soon, so that I can all complete my deal and take delivery of my bike. 

Can you at least confirm that whilst the details of the subsidy are being finalised please? 
 
Yours faithfully,
Justin Andrews


My variant.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 17, 2015, 03:25:42 AM
Excellent! I like the way you pointed out 'the government's enthusiastic commitment' to COP21.

If any others here can spare a few minutes to send an email to either OLEV and/or their local MP, we'd be most grateful. There's a Z-bike hostage situation in Birmingham and the government are the ones wearing the balaclavas!
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 17, 2015, 05:55:22 PM
Just emailed a hybrid version of both of your letters to my local mp,and coppied OLEV in on it, NO SURRENDER !!!!!!!!!

Dear Stephen Phillips MP,

You may not be aware,but Zero Motorcycles have come back to the UK market and have a dealership arrangement with Streetbike in Birmingham.  This is a great leap forward for the electric motorcycle industry,a huge commitment, after previously being forced to leave the UK after not receiving governmental support in 2012.

With reference to the proposed motorcycle grant / subsidy, in light of the governments enthusiastic commitment to the Paris COP21 climate change talks,could I ask if you could enquire what is delaying a final decision by OLEV on this plug in motorcycle grant.

Many potential customers have been waiting for news on a subsidy to help with the high initial cost of the motorcycles for most of the year:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-revs-up-motorcycle-market)

We recently heard that the subsidy was coming and  customers have got bikes waiting for them at Streetbike whilst we await further news.  All we need is confirmation that the subsidy will be retrospective so that we can all complete our deals and take delivery of our bikes. 

Could you at least confirm what the finalised details of the subsidy are,that are halting progress please?
It would make a big difference to everyone who has put their faith in electric vehicles and who are currently waiting in limbo with no solid information.

Yours faithfully,

Gareth Wilkinson
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 17, 2015, 08:31:50 PM
Response :

Dear Mr Wilkinson,

 

Thank you for your email. We will make some enquiries about this with the department and get back to you.

 

Best wishes,

 

Emma

 

 

Emma Salisbury

Senior Parliamentary Assistant

Office of Stephen Phillips QC MP

 

 

 

House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

020 7219 7146
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 18, 2015, 04:46:04 AM
Nice one Gareth! [emoji4]
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on December 18, 2015, 01:54:17 PM
Meh, I hav'nt had a reply yet. They don't like me...  ::)
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 18, 2015, 02:14:00 PM
Me neither. I've probably used up my peasant tokens for this year... [emoji6]
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 18, 2015, 02:27:59 PM
OLEV have released details of the new car subsidy:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-plug-in-grant-will-treble-number-of-greener-cars-on-britains-roads

Now that announcement is out of the way, let's hope they're concentrating on getting details published for us.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 18, 2015, 05:34:28 PM
Response from OLEV today after copying them in on my letter to my MP QC

Dear Gareth,

 

Thank you for your email.  The Government remains committed to supporting the zero emission motorcycle industry and OLEV officials have worked closely with the industry over the summer on the technical details and eligibility criteria for the scheme.  Following the successful outcome of the Spending Review in November OLEV is now in the process of confirming the allocation of funds to existing and future ULEV support schemes for which it is responsible.

 

OLEV continues to work closely with the motorcycle industry and other key stakeholders as it finalises the details of the scheme including the grant level, eligibility criteria and the logistics of the grant. This includes considering precisely what eligibility criteria might be used for the grant scheme, how vehicles would then be assessed against the criteria and registered, how the grant scheme might be implemented for those purchasing ePTWs, for those manufacturing ePTWs and for those selling them.

 

We will provide further information on the next steps for the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant scheme as soon as they are known.

 

I hope this clarifies the current situation.

 

Tim Ward

Policy Advisor |  Office for Low Emission Vehicles

Great Minster House  | 33 Horseferry Road|  London | SW1P 4DR

Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 18, 2015, 05:38:23 PM
My response,more than likely not helped,but needed a rant ............... Mp has still got to get back to me,see what they've chased up

Dear Tim,

Thankyou for taking the time to respond.
I appreciate you probably have little influence on the speed of this process personally,but I know myself,motorcycle manufacturers, and dealers keeping a close eye on this,feel like we are no further on than several months ago.

Its about time Governmental departments that decide these things were run like the service industry. Lots of focus on customer service rather than bureaucracy. Much more accountability. Much more agility,to make decisions in a timely manner.

To be fair Tim, your not telling me anything you haven't already told me,since you emailed me before the spending review.

I also understand they've just released updated details for the plug in car grant,so if they can do this, what's happening for motorcyclists,are they purposely treating us differently.

It's getting beyond a joke now,you'll probably note I've got my MP QC onto it ,we need answers now !

Finally,I know its not you personally Tim,but I certainly think OLEV could be doing more to lean on those accountable to get this sorted,they seem to be able to do it for every other sector of the motor industry.

Seasons greetings,

Gareth Wilkinson.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 18, 2015, 06:21:17 PM
Great response Gareth. It's about time someone gave them a bit of heat. Thanks for doing that. I hate those non committal emails they send to try and keep people quiet. They're expert at those but no good at actually doing anything!
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 18, 2015, 06:56:43 PM
Tell me about it Mostlybonkers.........Great work on the firmware side of things for our DSP's by the way............So what's the consensus,are we holding out for this grant ?
Jason  said one of the dsp buyers is not waiting,as the money he would save in fuel waiting  for the subsidy to come in,would probably cancel it out........not applicable to me,as I'm not buying the bike outright.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Ndm on December 18, 2015, 08:25:45 PM
Mostly bonkers and all involved, thanks to you I've gotten off my ass and composed my own letter to the minister of transportation in Ontario, they are responsible for administration of the ev grants, which are quite good! But sadly they don't include any vehicle with less than four wheels, if any Ontario based members are interested the email address is minister.mto@ontario.ca , hopefully they take this to heart
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 18, 2015, 09:13:09 PM
Thanks.

It all depends on when. I have a bad feeling it might be March to tie in with the changes to the car and van subsidies. Interesting point about fuel savings. In my case I also have the extra mileage I'll put on my VFR and the associated depreciation. It was valued at 11,000 miles and already has 12,000 on it.  I'm leaning towards doing the deal but I might wait until the New Year.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Justin Andrews on December 19, 2015, 09:24:40 PM
I'm waiting for my power tank to arrive. Not sure if I'll wait past mid january though for the grant...
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on December 19, 2015, 09:56:09 PM
So even though these were the findings

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmtran/239/239vw12.htm (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmtran/239/239vw12.htm)

Here we still are..............They've taken the time to update the plug in car grant,but still no news for motorcyclists.
I know what your saying Justin, I'm going to hold out I'm thinking,and make a right royal pain in the arse of myself !!!!!!!!!
It's a bit different for me,I have 4 little girls,and the only way I can justify the expense,is if it pays for itself.As I'm not buying it outright,without the subsidy ,its not gonna meet that goal................for you outrighters,I can see it would soon make sense.
Well done Ndm ,for flying the Zero flag over the pond,and giving those accountable,some grief.If and when its implemented over here,I think that would make a strong case,for you Zero lads,to get something similar.
I have a bad feeling mostlybonkers your right about the March thing,for me I'll have to sit it out.With the cost of insurance,as there's little choice out there for zero's at the moment,they either need to fulfil their promise of the subsidy or I'll have to bow out........
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 20, 2015, 09:41:54 PM
I hope you don't have to bow out TP1. Thanks for the link to the article from 2012. I didn't know about the eMCI. They haven't achieved much from what I can see.

Here's another angle, an email to the editor of motorcycle monthly.

*********
Hi,

Thanks to an article you published in or around March of 2013 on the Zero S, I became aware of the existence of electric motorcycles. Thank you!

I've been obsessed with them ever since and am very close to buying one. It has been delivered to Streetbike and myself and another 8 or so customers are eagerly awaiting news on the subsidy for electric bikes. We are told that solid info is just around the corner. News on the revised electric car and van grant was published on the OLEV site on 17th.

Back in October (or thereabouts), Streetbike signed a dealership agreement with Zero Motorcycles which means Zero are back in the UK!

There have been a number of significant improvements in the model range over the last three years and an article might be worthwhile just to cover those.

I hope there's sufficient meat in there to consider doing a feature or suchlike. As you can probably tell, I'm an enthusiast so if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know.

A useful resource for further info is here:

electricmotorcycleforum.com

I hope this message is useful to you.

Kind regards,

Tom.

***********

Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on December 23, 2015, 12:51:36 AM
It's all but confirmed that the forthcoming subsidy will not be retrospective:

http://www.electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=5190.msg37991#msg37991

I'm now certain that the government won't implement the subsidy until March. That's when the new registration plates come in.  Since the claiming of the subsidy will be part of the new vehicle registration process, any changes to the process will most likely be introduced at the same time.  This is what's happening with the car subsidy.  I imagine there's has to be a big communication exercise to make sure government departments, dealers and other interested parties are aware of the changes.

Forms will need to be designed, tested and printed. Leaflets, web pages, etc. The more I think about it, the more I think March will be too soon!  If they at least finalise and announce details early in the New Year, then there's a chance I guess.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on January 05, 2016, 06:01:39 AM
Update on this subject today

Dear Mr Wilkinson,

 

Thank you for this further information.

 

I have been looking into this and cannot find any updated information from the department. I think the best thing to do, therefore, is for Stephen to write direct to the minister and ask. Would you be happy for him to do so?

 

Best wishes,

 

Emma

 

 

Emma Salisbury

Senior Parliamentary Assistant

Office of Stephen Phillips QC MP

 
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on February 25, 2016, 01:14:15 PM
I've just dropped an email to my local MP asking for an update.

I sent three emails to the Office of Low Emission Vehicles and got no response. If I get time I'll try ringing them.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-low-emission-vehicles

If anyone else can apply some pressure to them, it would be great.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on February 26, 2016, 09:01:17 PM
This back from the office of my local MP:

*******************
Further to your email, I contacted the House of Commons Library to see whether there was any further information on this subsidy. Unfortunately, they still do not have any information since it was announced last year.

This being said, the Library told me that there is a good chance further details will be announced in the upcoming March Budget so hopefully we will have more information then.

If this is not the case, then please do get in contact and Anne will write once again to the Minister asking for a time frame for further announcements.

I’m sorry that we don’t have any further information at this point, but hopefully we will find out more next month.
*******************

Disappointed?  Yeah, me too!   >:(
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Erasmo on February 27, 2016, 12:18:31 AM
Since the subject has moved a bit forward, how about a title update to reflect the current situation better?
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on February 27, 2016, 12:24:48 AM
Had this off Charlie today,perhaps somebody knows something we don't...

Hi Gareth

 

The long wait for the Zero motorcycle subsidy is nearly over only about a month to go.

As we will be entering a new registration period before this happens we need to pick a different registration number.

I have put the available registrations below, if you find one you like and email me back so I can assign it to your bike


Kind Regards.
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: Testpilot1 on February 27, 2016, 02:55:59 AM
Nice one MostlyB, you found out more than I did :-)
Don't know if you got my post about the email I got today off Streetbike.I mailed them back to see if there was something we didn't already know on this forum,but got nothing back.Got the opportunity to reserve a 16 reg ending in DS though so wasn't all bad
Title: Re: Petition the UK Government!
Post by: MostlyBonkers on February 27, 2016, 04:18:02 AM
Well that's good. It's funny how nothing happens for weeks and then things happen in parallel on the same day. There's something about Fridays...

I hope it all comes to pass.

Not sure I can change the title Erasmo. I suggest we start a new topic when there is more news. The petition was a flop.