Tesla Has Benefited from Nearly £200m in UK Grants Since 2016
The grants, amounting to £188 million, were largely provided through the government’s plug-in car scheme. This initiative, launched in 2011, aimed to promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles by offering discounts of up to £5,000 on new purchases. The scheme concluded in June 2022. During its peak in 2020, Tesla received £61.6 million from the DfT, but funding has steadily declined since then, with just £49,000 granted in the first half of last year.
Additional smaller grants came from various organizations, including Stirling Council, the South Central NHS Trust, and the Scottish Government.
Tesla's reliance on government subsidies contrasts with Elon Musk’s frequent criticism of government spending. Notably, Musk was appointed by then-US President-elect Donald Trump to co-lead a “Department of Government Efficiency,” aimed at reducing the size of federal agencies. Musk, who drastically cut staffing levels at X (formerly Twitter) after acquiring the platform, has argued for reducing the 428 US federal agencies to just 99.
Meanwhile, Tesla has faced challenges with its product lineup. Last week, the company reported its first annual decline in vehicle deliveries, struggling to meet demand despite incentives. Several quarterly delivery targets were missed in 2024, highlighting growing pressure on the company.
Musk, one of the world’s richest individuals, has also come under scrutiny for his recent inflammatory comments. Using X, he has attacked political figures, including UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, over a grooming scandal. On Monday, the UK Prime Minister criticized Musk for spreading misinformation, accusing him of amplifying far-right rhetoric.
Tesla has yet to comment on these developments.
This funding revelation comes amidst broader concerns about Musk’s business practices and public behavior, as Tesla navigates declining demand and political controversy.
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