The United Kingdom's Electric Car Grant (ECG) program is providing a substantial £3,750 discount on more than 15 new electric vehicle (EV) models. To qualify for this maximum Band One grant, EVs must be priced under £37,000 and meet specific sustainability criteria related to their manufacturing process. This initiative, launched by the Labour government, aims to encourage the adoption of cleaner transportation.
The ECG replaced the Conservative party's Plug-in Car Grant, which concluded in 2022. Since its inception on July 15, the ECG has already assisted over 140,000 drivers in reducing the cost of their new electric vehicle purchases.
Among the vehicles eligible for the full £3,750 discount are several new models, including the Alpine A290+ starting at £30,245, the BMW iX1 luxury SUV from £33,315, and its coupé counterpart, the BMW iX2, also from £33,315. The Citroen e-C5 Aircross Long Range SUV is available from £35,205, offering an impressive range of up to 421 miles. The compact Fiat 500e is one of the more affordable options, priced at £20,995 after the grant. The Ford E-Tourneo Courier MPV, the only model of its type on the list, is available for £29,940 and boasts significant cabin space. The Ford Puma Gen-E, a small family EV, is priced from £26,245. The Hyundai Kona Electric SUV starts at £31,250 and offers up to 319 miles of range.
Further qualifying models include the Kia EV2 Long Range, starting at £24,245, and the Kia EV4 hatchback from £33,245, which boasts a range of up to 391 miles. The Mini Countryman Electric is eligible for the grant with a starting price of £33,005 and an all-wheel-drive system option. The long-standing Nissan Leaf 52kWh is now available for £28,849, featuring a redesigned crossover body and an extended range. The revived Nissan Micra 52kWh is priced from £32,249. Renault has reintroduced two classic nameplates as EVs: the Renault 4 E-Tech 52kWh starts from £23,445 with a 398-mile range, and the popular Renault 5 E-Tech 52kWh is priced from £21,495, with the latter model reportedly having a waiting list. The family-oriented Renault Scenic EV is available from £33,245 and offers a range of up to 381 miles.
These discounts are applied at the point of sale for qualifying vehicles. The program is expected to evolve, with more electric car models anticipated to be added to the grant scheme in the future.