Which EVs have been discounted by the Government? Every model that qualifies for the Electric Car Grant
- A-Z of car makers included in the grant and those doing it on their own
After a three-year hiatus, ministers have reintroduced taxpayer-funded discounts on electric cars in a bid to accelerate Britain's transition to EVs.
Labour announced its new Electric Car Grant (ECG) on 14 July, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailing it as the scheme to 'unlock' the nation's 'transition to zero emission vehicles' with promises of reducing prices by as much as £3,750.
Its arrival comes in the wake of a slump in private EV sales and a chorus of industry players and car manufacturers demanding a wave of purchase incentives to help them to achieve binding zero emission vehicle sales targets set out by the ZEV mandate.
The Electric Car Grant forms part of the UK’s Plan for Change, and replaces the Conservative's scrapped Plug-In Car Grant which ended in 2022.
But it's not as easy as walking into a showrooms and expecting to see the cost of a new EV slashed.
Only models up to £37,000 are eligible and manufacturers need to adhere to certain sustainability criteria. And car makers have to apply for grants, which has resulted in huge delays announcing qualifying cars as Government bean counters determine which models will be subsidised.
Here's a full list of every electric car that's qualified for the grant to date...
We've pulled together all the information you need to know about the Government's £650m Electric Car Grant - here's what you need to know
What is the electric car grant?
The ECG is backed by a £1.95billion scheme that will run until 2029-30.
It offers buyers money off new all-electric models that are sustainably manufactured and priced at – or under – £37,000.
Ministers say the aim if the 'targeted' scheme is to make 'affordable' EVs even more appealing to private buyers by reducing their prices further to make them more attainable.
But the grant differs to the previous scheme under Tory leadership from 2011 to 2022 - one because it only supports the greenest EVs.
Once the Department for Transport deems if a vehicle qualifies at all, it then has to determine the band based on the car's 'sustainability criteria'.
This includes the emissions produced during the battery's manufacturing, the vehicle's assembly, and the carbon intensity of the electric grids in the countries where the car is made.
A certain threshold (which has not been confirmed by the DfT) needs to be met to qualify as a 'Band 1' model and the full £3,750 subsidy. Models failing to meet this benchmark will be deemed 'Band 2' and only receive a £1,500 discount.
A price cap was added to the scheme on 29 August to restrict more luxurious variants of EV from qualifying.
Eligibility for each model had previously been determined by the cheapest version of each powertrain below the £37,000 threshold.
This means that only one trim level needed to be below the £37,000 cut off to allow for higher specifications to also qualify.
But a cap of £42,000 has been implemented to oust models with the luxury equipment.
For example, all front-driven versions of the Nissan Ariya are currently eligible for the Band 2 £1,500 grant based on the entry 'Engage' trim level costing less than £37,000.
The same £1,500 discount was therefore applied to all other versions of the FWD Ariya - even those well above £37,000.
However, the application of the price cap means the highest trim level - Evolve - which is priced over £42,000 no longer qualifies because it is deemed too expensive.
While it shares the same electric drivetrain as the Engage trim, it benefits from a number of luxury features, including an electric panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a high-end sound system.
Which models qualify for the Electric Car Grant?
Due to the prolonged application and review process, the Government has in recent weeks been releasing details of which EV models are eligible in drips and drabs.
It says it is doing so 'as fast as it can'.
This, however, has created a lot of waiting, uncertainty and frustration.
It took over three weeks for the first four eligible models from Citroen to be announced, but the numbers have continued to rise since.
Below is the list of every manufacturer and model that's been given the green light for the ECG.
*We will add to this guide when new EVs are confirmed for the grant
Alpine
Models eligible: Band 1, £3,750: A290+
Band 2: A290
The Alpine A290 sporty city EV has £1,500 knocked off its OTR, now costing £32,000 thanks to the ECG
French performance brand Alpine has two versions of the A290 hot hatch EV in the Government's ECG list; the A290 and the A290+.
The sporty city car has qualified for the £1,500 grant, meaning the compact EV now starts from £32,000.
The A290+ - which is based on the Renault 5+ - has also qualified for the £3,750 discount - the higher Band 1 level because its batteries come from the Renault Group's sustainable Douai gigafactory in France.
Despite being listed under 'Renault Alpine' in the Government's list, Alpine is a separate brand to Renault, although it is owned by the French car making giant. It serves as the Group's performance and motorsport brand, and develops its own technologies.
The first and only BMW EV to have been granted the ECG is the Mini Countryman which qualifies for the top level £3,750 discount
BMW
Models eligible: Band 1 £3,750: Mini Countryman Electric
The first and only BMW EV to have been granted the ECG is the Mini Countryman.
The small EV with up to 287 miles of all-electric driving has been awarded the top band grant, worth £3,750.
As the Countryman E Classic, Monochrome, Exclusive, and Sport and the SE ALL4,Classic are all under £37,000 they should see the price discounted.
Citroen
Models eligible: Band 1: e-C5 Aircross Long Range
Band 2 £1,500: e-C3 and e-C3 Aircross, e-C3 Urban Range, e-C4 and e-C4 X, e-C5 Aircross, e-Berlingo, e-SpaceTourer
Citroen was the first manufacturer to have models confirmed for the ECG with five models making the £1,500 grant level, including the e-C4 X (pictured)
Citroen was the first manufacturer to be awarded the grant, with five models passing the lower band (2): The e-C3 and e-C3 Aircross, e-C3 Urban Range, e-C4 and e-C4 X, and e-C5 and e-C5 Aircross cars all have £1,500 discounted from their OTR. The e-Berlingo and e-SpaceTourer MPVs are also subject to the same saving.
With the £1,500 ECG applied, the new e-C3 is now available from £20,595, the new e-C3 Aircross starts at £21,595, and the New e-C5 Aircross can be acquired from £32,565. The e-Berlingo (M versions only) van will now cost from £29,740 while the entry version of the bigger e-SpaceTourer is now £35,495.
The e-C5's Long Range version has 422 miles of charge on offer which should be enough to get you from London to Edinburgh and puts it into the top 10 longest range EV list as well
Citroen recently became the second manufacturer to have one of its EVs awarded the full, £3,750 ECG.
The e-C5 Aircross Long Range receives the sustainable discount, offering customers 422 miles of range on a single charge and 20 to 80 per cent charge in 27 minutes on a 160kW charger.
Prices are yet to be confirmed but once the Long Range model hits the market the discount will be automatically taken off the OTR price.
Cupra
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: Born
The Cupra Born - which shares a platform with the VW ID.3 - has also qualified for the lower Band 2 grant of £1,500
Spanish brand Cupra’s Born EV also qualifies for Labour's official ECG and now has the £1,500 discount automatically applied.
So now the Born range costs from £34,190 for the 59kWh battery and from £35,495 for the 79kWh battery.
DS Automobiles
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: DS3, N°4
DS applications for the DS3 (pictured) and No.4 hatchback - a car that isn't arriving in the UK until November - have been processed, with both eligible for Band 2 £1,500 discounts
The DS3 E-Tense has also passed the Government's strict emissions-based requirements to qualify for a £1,500 ECG discount.
With up to 248 miles of range, this compact crossover is more than suitable for most journeys. Though, residual values for this particular car have proven poor. In June, the Daily Mail reported that it depreciates 66.7 per cent after just one year.
The DS N°4 is a family hatchback promising 279 miles of range. However, order books for the car only opened in August and first deliveries won't arrive until after October.
The N°4 E-Tense is available to order now from £35,495 OTR, while DS 3 E-Tense is already available in showrooms from £35,495.
Ford
Models eligible: Band 1 £3,750: Puma Gen-E, E-Tourneo Courier
The Ford Puma Gen-E (pictured) and E-Tourneo Courier were the first models to meet Band 1 ECG thresholds, becoming the first EVs to be awarded the full discount amount of £3,750
Ford holds the esteemed privilege of being the first brand to be awarded the Government's full Band 1 £3,750 discount for two of its models.
The Puma Gen-E - the electrified variant of Britain's best-selling new model in 2023 and 2024 - and its E-Tourneo Courier minivan have been passed the ECG's highest emissions-based threshold.
Both models are produced at the Craiova factory in Romania. The batteries - which use chemistry supplied from South Korea - are assembled there too, while the electric drive units are manufactured at company's Halewood plant in Merseyside.
It's this European-based production that's likely seen both models secure the Band 1 grant.
The entry-level Puma is said to be good for 234 miles of range, which is more than suitable for a jacked-up supermini that will predominantly be used in town. The 177 miles of the E-Tourneo Courier, however, is somewhat limited against rivals.
Hyundai's popular electric SUV, the Kona Electric, is now available with the government's £1,500 discount
Hyundai
Models eligible: Band 2 - Kona Electric
South Korean manufacturer Hyundai has seen its very popular electric SUV added to the Electric Car Grant Band 2, with a £1,500 discount applied.
There are three trims available: Advance, N Line and N Line S. These cost from £33,500 up to £37,900.
You get between 282 and 391 miles of range.
Kia now has two EVs that qualify for the £1,500 Electric Car Grant. The first is the EV4 fastback SUV which will now start from £33,245
The second Kia model that's been granted the ECG is the PV5 Passenger which now costs £31,495
Kia
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: EV4, PV5 Passenger
One of the later manufacturers to have some of its electric cars added to the ECG by the Government, Kia saw its EV4 fastback SUV and PV5 Passenger EVs discounted by the scheme in late December.
Both models received the lower Band 2 ECG, with a £1,500 discount automatically applied to their OTR price.
Every EV4 Air and PV5 Passenger Essential and Plus trims qualify, which brings the models down to £33,245 and £31,495 respectively.
The Mini Countryman Electric is the first and only Mini model to qualify for the ECG. It receives £3,750 off
Mini
Models eligible: Band 1 Countryman Electric
The Mini Countryman Electric is one of the later models to qualify for the Electric Car Grant, but the wait has been worth it because it now receives the full £3,750 grant.
With a range of between 247 and 286 miles, and all-wheel drive, it's a practical family EV that is now even more appealing thanks to the discount.
It's the only Mini on the list so far, and starts from £29,255.
Nissan
Models eligible: Band 1 £3,750: Leaf, Micra (52kWh)
Band 2 £1,500: Ariya, Micra (40kWh)
Nissan has two models awarded Band 2 ECG including the new Micra EV (pictured) which goes on sale in September
The Nissan Leaf is now discounted £3,750 thanks to the full ECG
Struggling Japanese manufacturer Nissan has two EV models that now receive the £1,500 ECG: the Ariya and the Micra.
Better though it has one model that receives the Band 1 £3,750 ECG: the Leaf.
The Micra is the more exciting model to have the lower saving applied because it brings back the iconic nameplate in electric form.
The Micra with the smaller 40kWh battery will receive the lower £1,500 off, while Micra with the larger 52kWh battery will receive the £3,750 full sustainable grant.
The Ariya now starts from £33,500 thanks to the ECG.
The Leaf, the first mass-market EV, is back for a third generation and its now been discounted £3,750. Built in Sunderland, with its batteries produced next door, it is deemed highly sustainable.
Peugeot
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: e-208, e-2008, e-308, e-408, e-Rifter, e-Traveller
The Peugeot e-2008 (pictured) is amongst the six French maker's eligible EVs which all qualify for the £1,500 Band 2 discount
French manufacturer Peugeot has six models in the lower Electric Car Grant. This includes the e-208, e-2008, e-308, e-408, e-Rifter and e-Traveller MPV.
The first models confirmed were the new e-208, now available from £28,595, the e-2008 from £32,195 and the new e-Rifter from £30,850 with the £1,500 grant discount applied.
Applications for the e-308 and e-408 were passed a couple of weeks later and see both models also qualify for the £1,500 discount, while the most basic version of the e-Traveller seven-seat minibus also passed for the Band 2 discount level of £1,500.
Renault
Models eligible: Band 1 - Renault 4 (52kWh), Renault 5 (52kWh)
Band 2 - £1,500: Renault 5 (40kWh), Renault Megane, Renault Scenic
Renault has seen its Megane, Scenic, R4 (pictured) and R5 EVs all receive the £1,500 discount
Renault's Megane, Scenic, R4 and R5 EVs all receive the £1,500 discount, bringing the R5 down to £21,495 for the entry-level version and £25,495 for the R4 entry-level.
The Megane costs from £30,995 and the Scenic E-Tech from £35,495.
Renault has confirmed that the new ECG will be applied to all orders taken from 16 July, backdating the discount to customers who bought any of the eligible models from that date.
And those buying the long range 52kWh battery versions of the Renault 4 and Renault 5 (R4+ and R5+) will see their EVs discounted by £3,750 after both models qualified for the higher Band 1 grant.
They are seen as more sustainable by the government becayse the batteries are sourced from Renault Group’s newly opened Douai gigafactory, which is run in partnership with AESC, part of the 'sustainability-focused Electri-city car production hub' in northern France.
Skoda
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: Elroq, Enyaq
Two Skodas have so far qualified for £1,500 ECG discounts: the Elroq (pictured) and larger Enyaq SUVs
On 2 September, Skoda's first two EVs eligible for ECG discounts were confirmed.
The Czech brand's smallest model - the Elroq - qualifies for £1,500 savings. Buyers choosing the entry SE 50 - with the smallest 52kWh battery - will now pay £31,710.
Every version with the medium-size 59kWh battery pack is also eligible, while a new Elroq SE L 85 trim (£35,560) has been launched as is the only version with the 77kWh battery subject to the saving. It can delivery up to 355 miles of range.
The bigger Enyaq SUV is also subject to £1,500 ECG savings. This is limited to the 59kWh variants in SE L 60 and Edition 60 trims, costing from £37,510.
Toyota
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: C-HR+, bZ4X, Proace City Verso
Toyota's only conventional electric 'car', the bZ4X SUV (pictured), has now had the Band 2 grant of £1,500 applied to its RRP. The Proace City Verso is also eligible for ECG
Two Toyota models so far have qualified for the ECG, both at Band 2 level meaning discounts of £1,500.
Toyota's only conventional electric 'car', the bZ4X SUV, has now had the grant applied to its RRP. Previously with an OTR price of £36,995, the entry 'Pure' trim level has been discounted by £1,500 to £35,495 - but no other trims are eligible due to the 'Motion' and 'Vision' grades both sitting above the £42,000 ECG price cap.
Every trim level of the Proace City Verso - Toyota's van-based compact MPV - qualifies for the grant, with prices now starting from £30,495.
Vauxhall
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: Astra Electric, Combo Life Electric, Corsa Electric, Frontera Electric, Grandland Electric, Mokka Electric, Vivaro Life Electric
Vauxhall's entire EV range has been awarded the Band 2 £1,500 discount, with all models now costing less than £37,000. This includes the Mokka Electric (pictured)
Vauxhall has had its whole electric range confirmed for Band 2, which sees the Corsa Electric, Combo Life Electric, Astra Electric, Mokka Electric, Frontera Electric, Grandland Electric and Vivaro Life Electric seven-seat MPV all reduced by £1,500.
The Vauxhall’s Frontera Electric family SUV starts from £22,495 OTR, while the popular Corsa Electric is available from £26,005.
The Mokka Electric starts from £31,005, while the Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer now start from £33,505 and £34,705, respectively.
The Grandland Electric is the most expensive with the grant applied costing £35,455.
Volkswagen
Models eligible: Band 2 £1,500: ID.3, ID.4, ID.5
Volkswagen's ID.3 was the first model from the German brand to qualify for the Govt grant
The more traditional, boxy ID.4 has been granted the same £1,500 pot as the ID.3, the lower level offered by the Government
The sportier, coupe-style ID.5 has also been discounted by £1,500 making both the ID.5 and ID.4 £35,495 with the grant applied
Volkswagen's smallest electric car, the ID.3 was the first VW EVs eligible for the Government scheme.
With the £1,500 discount the ID.3 range is available from £29,360 for the ID.3 Pure Essential.
The ID.3 has since been joined by its bigger siblings, the ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs in qualifying for the ECG.
The more traditional, boxy ID.4 and the sportier, coupe-style ID.5 have both been granted the same £1,500 pot, the lower level offered by the Government.
The ID.4 and ID.5 both now start from £35,495 with the grant applied.
Which brands are offering their own electric car grants?
Chinese brands are unlikely to be included in the Electric Car Grant on manufacturing–related emissions ground, due to the coal use for energy creation in the East Asian country.
So most Chinese manufacturers have decided to take matters into their own hands and offer grant-style savings of their own - some matching the Government's maximum subsidy of £3,750.
But non-Chinese brands have also released their own grants while they wait to hear if they pass the Government’s application process.
We’ve compiled a full list of all the car makers that are offering their own manufacturer electric car grants – from £1,500 to £3,750 – so it’s worth checking to see if the model you want is discounted by the car maker even if it’s not part of the official ECG.
Chinese car makers have been told by ministers that they're unlikely to qualify for the ECG on sustainability grounds. That why brands like MG (which is owned by SAIC Motors) have launched their own discounts - some matching the full £3,750 provided by Government - to remain competitive
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How do you get the ECG discount?
The Electric Car Grant discounts will automatically be applied to recommended retail prices of vehicles that qualify.
Once the Government has approved a model, the manufacturer will discount the price online, in showrooms and dealerships.
There's no paperwork for car buyers to complete to gain the discount on your new EV - it's all done for you.
What is a sustainable EV? Why is the grant focusing on ‘green’ electric cars?
While electric vehicles are lauded for their zero tailpipe emissions, the carbon emissions and environmental impact during production hinder them from being completely ‘green’.
Therefore, the Government is looking at the carbon emissions across the vehicle’s entire lifetime, focusing on how sustainably each model is made, rewarding those that deliver zero driving emissions and low production emissions.
Labour says it will grant the car makers with only the ‘highest manufacturing sustainability standards’ with discounts.
To qualify manufacturers must hold a Science Based Target at minimum, verified by the independent Science Based Targets initiative, which aligns with the Paris Agreement goals.
If it does not pass these checks it will not be eligible for the grant.
