Nick Harvey says:

‘The EU’s decision to reclassify mobility scooters as leisure vehicles is plain madness. Age Concern is now urging to ministers to fight a move that could add up to £250 per scooter if they are manufactured outside the EU. On top of this there are some concerns that these scooters will lose their VAT exemption.

‘Most of the scooters shipped to the UK are imported from the Far East making them liable for a 10% import duty. In addition it is feared that the Government is seeking to back date the reclassification and claim £10m in unpaid duty.

‘All of this will be an unwelcome blow to people here in North Devon and to voluntary organisations such as Shopmobility. Treating mobility scooters as if they were go-karts is errant nonsense’

Sharon Lynch, Manager, Northern Devon Community Transport Association Ltd, The Shopmobility Centre, says:

‘Yes we are aware of it and are very concerned as the people who use this type of scooter do so out of necessity and not as a luxury or leisure time activity. They should not be penalised financially at a time in their lives when they need a bit of extra help.
 
‘ It will also have a negative impact on North Devon Shopmobility who already struggle to raise funds to keep a Shopmobility and Leisuremobility service running in North Devon for the local people and mobility impaired tourists who visit the region. We provide the only Shopmobility service in North Devon. ‘

Background:
According to the British Healthcare Trades Association scooters for customs purposes were considered ‘carriage for disabled persons’ now they are treated as ‘motor vehicles for the transport of persons.’

HM Revenue and Customs say the reclassification is the responsibility of the EU.