Two Volkswagen models join ever-growing list of electric cars eligible for 拢650 million EV grant
October 16, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
The Volkswagen ID4 and ID5 are the latest electric cars to qualify for a 拢1,500 government grant under the new EV scheme, bringing the total to 40 eligible models. Keep reading to find out how much you could save on a new electric car.
The UK government has launched a 拢650 million scheme to tempt drivers into a new electric car. The EV grant offers up to 拢3,750 off qualifying models, and there are now 40 cars which are eligible.
Only two of them get the full amount though, the Ford Puma Gen E and the Ford E-Tourneo Courier. Every other car on the list gets a 拢1,500 grant, however Nissan is confident that the new Leaf will get the full 拢3,750 grant when it goes on sale.
Some of the models eligible for the EV grant include:
- Ford Puma Gen-E 鈥 拢3,750 off
- Renault 5 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Citroen e-C3 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Skoda Elroq 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Volkswagen ID3 鈥 拢1,500 off
Want to learn more about the scheme? Here鈥檚 everything you need to know about the electric car grant.
What is the Electric Car Grant?
The government鈥檚 拢650m electric car grant aims at making EVs more affordable, offering discounts of up to 拢3,750 on brand new electric cars. This forms part of the UK鈥檚 Plan for Change, designed to help households save money while accelerating the switch to greener, zero-emission cars.
Car buyers can claim the discount directly at dealerships on electric cars with a starting price under 拢37,000 鈥 no separate application needed. Some manufacturers are still awaiting their turn for approval, but Toyota and Skoda are the latest brands to join the scheme. This means discounted EVs should start appearing in showrooms for these brands in the coming days and weeks.
With 拢650m allocated, the grant could subsidise around 173,000 electric cars at the full 拢3,750 discount 鈥 roughly half the number of EVs purchased in the UK last year.
The Electric Car Grant (ECG) will run until the 2028/29 financial year, potentially helping thousands of drivers get behind the wheel of cheaper electric cars.
Every car in the EV scheme
A total of 35 new electric cars are eligible for the scheme, following the recent addition of seven cars from Toyota, Skoda, Peugeot, Vauxhall and Citroen. Here鈥檚 a full list of every car you can save money on with this grant.
Jump to:聽
- Citroen cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Cupra cars on the new EV grant scheme
- DS cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Ford cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Mini cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Nissan cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Peugeot cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Renault cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Skoda cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Toyota cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Vauxhall cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Volkswagen cars on the new EV grant scheme
Citroen cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Citroen e-C3 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Citroen e-C3 Aircross 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Citroen e-C4 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Citroen e-C4 X 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Citroen e-C5 Aircross 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Citroen e-Berlingo 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Citroen e-Spacetourer 鈥 拢1,500 off
1. Citroen e-C3
The dinky Citroen e-C3 was the first car to be eligible for a 拢1,500 grant, bringing the price down to a very competitive 拢20,600. The e-C3 is comfy to drive, well equipped and very spacious for its size, but its sub-200 mile range does limit its usability somewhat. Through 莲花直播 you can save an average of 拢2,500 on a Citroen e-C3, making it even more tempting. You can also lease one for just 拢241 per month over four years when you put down 拢2,500 up front.
2. Citroen e-C3 Aircross
Need a bit more interior space than the e-C3 has to offer? Well the e-C3 Aircross is essentially the same car just in a larger body. It has a massive boot, is comfortable over bumps and the EV grant brings the price down to just 拢21,600. You can save a further 拢2,100 when you buy through 莲花直播, or you can lease a Citroen e-C3 Aircross for 拢256 per month with a 拢2,600 deposit.
3. Citroen e-C4
You can think of the Citroen e-C4 as being a left-field alternative to something like a Volkswagen ID3. It is more interesting to look at, and it has a much more user-friendly interior thanks to the use of physical buttons. It鈥檚 just a shame that the range is a modest 257 miles. The electric car grant brings the starting price of a new Citroen e-C4 down to 拢26,200, and you can also save an average of 拢3,600 on one through 莲花直播.
4. Citroen e-C4 X
The Citroen e-C4 X is basically the same as the standard e-C4, just with a slightly more distinctive-looking saloon boot. It鈥檚 just as comfy as the hatchback, but it has more luggage space and slightly roomier rear seats. The new EV grant brings the price of this car down to 拢27,215, and you can also save an average of 拢5,800 through 莲花直播.
5. New Citroen e-C5 Aircross
This is the new Citroen e-C5 Aircross, a flagship model for the brand which hasn鈥檛 even made it to UK shores just yet. First deliveries of this funky-looking SUV are expected to start in October this year, and prices start from 拢34,065. That comes down to 拢32,565 after the government grant, and make sure to keep an eye out on 莲花直播 for the latest deals to save yourself even more.
6. Citroen e-Berlingo
The final car, for now, is the Citroen e-Berlingo. We鈥檝e actually been living with this big electric MPV for a few months, and it鈥檚 hugely spacious and practical. It鈥檚 also comfortable and easy to drive, but the range isn鈥檛 brilliant. The e-Berlingo will start from 拢29,740 after the government grant is applied, and you can save a further 拢7,000 when you buy through 莲花直播.
7. Citroen e-Spacetourer
Guess what? It鈥檚 another van-based MPV from the Stellantis family. Like its stablemates from Peugeot and Vauxhall, the Citroen e-Spacetourer is a practical, spacious car with lots of seats and not much driving range.
Cupra cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Cupra Born 鈥 拢1,500 off
Cupra Born
There鈥檚 just one Cupra model which is eligible for the EV grant, and it鈥檚 the ID3鈥檚 more sporty-looking counterpart: the Born. It looks great, has a lovely interior and you get loads of interior space. The Cupra Born starts from 拢35,690, and the government grant will save you 拢1,500. However, the more powerful VZ model doesn鈥檛 qualify, so make sure to check out deals on 莲花直播 to get the best prices.
DS cars on the new EV scheme
1. DS 3 E-Tense
The DS 3 E-Tense is a stylish, left-field alternative to cars like the Vauxhall Mokka Electric and Volkswagen ID3. It looks smart and has a nice interior, but rear seat space is tight and it鈥檚 not the most refined at motorway speeds. With the 拢1,500 government grant applied, the DS 3 E-Tense costs from 拢35,495 鈥 and you can save a further 拢3,400 through 莲花直播 at the time of writing.
2. DS No4
This is the new DS No4 鈥 a sleek and stylish electric family car which provides a quirky alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID4. It looks great, but with 280 miles of range it lags behind alternatives. Strangely, the No4 costs the same as the DS 3, despite being a larger car. That means it鈥檒l cost 拢35,495 after the 拢1,500 grant is applied, and you can save over 拢3,000 through 莲花直播 at the time of writing.
Ford cars on the new EV scheme
1. Ford Puma Gen-E
The Ford Puma Gen-E was the first electric car which meets all the criteria for a full 拢3,750 off. It鈥檚 an all-electric version of the best-selling car in the UK, and it鈥檚 a great-looking small SUV with loads of standard equipment. It鈥檚 just a shame that the range isn鈥檛 great. With the EV grant applied the Puma Gen-E will cost from 拢24,745, and you can save a further 拢2,000 when you buy through 莲花直播.
2. Ford E-Tourneo Courier
The Ford E-Tourneo Courier is something of an oddity in this age of SUVs, because it鈥檚 a van-based MPV. These may not be as popular as they once were, but cars like this are hugely practical and great value for money. After the government grant, the Ford E-Tourneo Courier starts from 拢28,440. That鈥檚 a few thousand pounds less than something like a Volvo EX30 or a Kia, but the Ford is infinitely more practical.
Mini cars on the new EV grant scheme
1. Mini Countryman Electric
The Mini Countryman Electric is the brand鈥檚 first car on the EV scheme, but it only qualifies for a 拢1,500 discount. That still brings the price of this stylish electric SUV down to just over 拢30,000, and it has a lovely interior as well.
Nissan cars on the new EV grant scheme
1. Nissan Micra
This is the new Nissan Micra, and you may be getting a sense of deja-vu from the design. That鈥檚 because it鈥檚 essentially a Renault 5 with some new bodywork, so it shares that car鈥檚 basic proportions. It uses the same motors and batteries as well, and the interior layout is pretty much the same. The new Micra also costs almost exactly the same as its French counterpart, meaning with the grant it鈥檒l cost less than 拢22,000.
2. Nissan Ariya
Nissan has just cut the price of an Ariya to bring it under the 拢37,000 threshold for the government EV grant. It now starts from 拢35,000, which drops to 拢33,500 with the 拢1,500 grant. That鈥檚 a significant drop, it used to start from 拢39,000. Keep in mind though that four-wheel drive and Nismo versions don鈥檛 qualify. You can also save an average of 拢7,400 on a new Nissan Ariya through 莲花直播. It鈥檚 a stylish and spacious electric SUV with loads of kit as standard, however the fiddly interior controls can get annoying.
3. Nissan Leaf
The new Nissan Leaf was revealed earlier this year, and it鈥檚 a huge step up over the old car. It now looks much less gawky than before, and with 375 miles of range it can go a lot further than the old car as well. The Leaf hasn鈥檛 been officially confirmed for the EV grant yet, and prices haven鈥檛 been revealed either. Despite this, Nissan has said it鈥檚 confident that not only will this car qualify, it could also be eligible for the full 拢3,750, which is likely due to the fact it鈥檚 built in its Sunderland plant in the UK.
Peugeot cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Peugeot E-308 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Peugeot E-408 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Peugeot E-208 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Peugeot E-2008 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Peugeot E-Rifter 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Peugeot E-Traveller 鈥 拢1,500 off
Peugeot E-308
Just a few days after the facelifted E-308 was announced, it鈥檚 now eligible for 拢1,500 off in the EV scheme. It鈥檚 a super-stylish electric hatchback with a lovely interior, and it鈥檚 great to drive as well 鈥 although the range could be better. With a 拢1,500 grant, the Peugeot e-308 starts from 拢33,460. Make sure to check out deals through 莲花直播 as well, because you can save a further 拢7,300 on the outgoing E-308.
Peugeot E-408
The Peugeot E-408 shares a lot of parts with the e-308 under the skin, but it looks even more dramatic with that coupe-esque sloping roofline. The e-408 usually starts from 拢36,170, and this drops to 拢34,670 with the 拢1,500 grant. You can also save an average of almost 拢7,000 through 莲花直播 at the time of writing.
Peugeot E-208
The Peugeot E-208 is one of the most stylish small electric cars you can buy. It doesn鈥檛 just look great on the outside, it also has a properly posh interior and it鈥檚 lovely to drive. Just keep in mind that the rear seats are a bit tight. It usually starts from 拢30,150, so the new EV grant will bring this down to 拢28,650.
Peugeot E-2008
Fancy an E-208 but need more space? The Peugeot E-2008 is essentially a jacked-up version of the hatchback, and it has a similarly lovely cabin. You also get loads of standard equipment, but a Kia EV3 does go much further on a charge. The E-2008 starts from 拢35,400, so with the 拢1,500 grant it drops to 拢33,900.
Peugeot E-Rifter
SUVs may be all the rage these days, but the Peugeot E-Rifter makes an excellent case for the humble MPV. It鈥檚 essentially a posh van with seats, meaning you get cavernous interior space and a commanding driving position. That brick-like shape does mean that range isn鈥檛 the best though. The E-Rifter starts from 拢32,350, which drops to 拢30,850 after the grant. Buy through 莲花直播 and you can save yourself a further 拢6,300 on average at the time of writing.
Peugeot E-Traveller
The Peugeot E-Traveller is a hugely versatile MPV with the interior space of a van and up to eight seats. It鈥檚 surprisingly easy to drive in town for something of this size, but the electric range is pretty poor compared to some large SUVs out there.
Renault and Alpine cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Renault 5 E-Tech 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Renault 4 E-Tech 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Renault Megane E-Tech 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Renault Scenic E-Tech 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Alpine A290 鈥 拢1,500 off
1. Renault 5 E-Tech
The Renault 5 is one of our favourite electric cars at the moment. This cheeky little French hatchback looks fantastic, has a lovely interior and it鈥檚 great to drive. A Citroen e-C3 may be more spacious in the rear seats, but the Renault 5 is just so effortlessly cool that you鈥檒l look past this. It鈥檚 also really affordable, with prices starting from under 拢23,000, and the EV grant will knock a further 拢1,500 off this figure. Make sure to check out the latest offers through 莲花直播 to save yourself even more.
2. Renault 4 E-Tech
If you鈥檙e smitten by the Renault 5鈥檚 retro charm, but need more interior space, check out the new Renault 4. It has an equally funky interior, roomier back seats and a bigger boot, all wrapped up in a great-looking package. The Renault 4 is also great value, with prices starting at just 拢27,000. It doesn鈥檛 qualify for the full 拢3,750 grant, but you can still get a 拢1,500 discount.
3. Renault Megane E-Tech
Renault鈥檚 range of electric cars is really varied in terms of design, because the ultra-modern Megane is a polar opposite to the retro 4 and 5. It鈥檚 stylish, has a nice interior and you get a brilliant Google-based infotainment system, just like every other Renault EV. It鈥檚 just a shame about the tight rear headroom. Prices for the Megane start from 拢32,500, but this drops to 拢31,000 with the grant. You can also save a further 拢3,200 when you buy through 莲花直播.
4. Renault Scenic E-Tech
The Renault Scenic is the biggest electric car the brand sells, and it has plenty of interior space for the whole family. It鈥檚 a bit bumpy around town, but the Scenic is efficient and offers really good range 鈥 it鈥檒l do up to 381 miles on a charge. The 拢1,500 government grant brings the price of this car down to 拢35,495, and through 莲花直播 you can save over 拢3,600 through 莲花直播.
5. Alpine A290
Finally, if you鈥檙e after something sporty, you can also get a 拢1,500 grant on the Alpine A290. It鈥檚 essentially a spiced-up version of the Renault 5, with a beefy bodykit and a healthy dose of extra power.
Skoda cars on the new EV scheme
1. Skoda Elroq
The Skoda Elroq is an excellent family SUV. It鈥檚 practical, well-built and well-equipped, although there鈥檚 nothing about it which will get your pulse racing. It starts from 拢31,710, which drops to 拢30,210 with the grant applied. You can also save an average of over 拢3,300 on a new Elroq through 莲花直播.
2. Skoda Enyaq
The Enyaq is essentially the Elroq鈥檚 larger sibling, so it offers even more interior space and a bigger boot. It鈥檚 just as unexciting as the Elroq, but as a relaxing way to ferry the family around the Enyaq is hard to beat.
It starts from 拢39,000, which the mathematicians among you will have figured out is above the 拢37,000 threshold. In a statement to 莲花直播, Skoda said: 鈥淭he Skoda Elroq and Enyaq share the same Type Approval documentation, covering key components such as their battery systems, which enabled both models to be jointly assessed against the Government鈥檚 rigorous criteria.鈥
So yes, it looks like a quirk in the system works in buyers鈥 favour. Right now, you can get 拢1,500 off a new Enyaq through the grant, and you can save over a further 拢7,400 on one through 莲花直播 at the time of writing.
Toyota cars on the new EV scheme
1. Toyota bZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X sneaks just under the 拢37,000 mark to bag a place in the EV scheme. It starts from 拢36,995, and the electric car grant will get you a further 拢1,500 off. You can also save an average of 拢6,500 on a bZ4X when you buy through 莲花直播. It鈥檚 a solid choice if you鈥檙e after a spacious and well-equipped electric SUV, and it鈥檚 pretty comfortable to drive as well. It鈥檚 just a shame that the boot isn鈥檛 the biggest.
2. Toyota Proace City Verso
If the Proace City Verso looks familiar, that鈥檚 because it鈥檚 one of quadruplets. It鈥檚 a van-based MPV which is basically the same as the Peugeot E-Rifter, Citroen e-Berlingo and the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric. This means it鈥檚 vastly practical, easy to drive and comfortable, it just won鈥檛 win any beauty contests. The Proace City Verso starts from just under 拢32,000, and you can get a 拢1,500 grant from the government on top of the 拢2,700 saving you can get through 莲花直播.
Vauxhall cars on the new EV grant scheme
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Vauxhall Combo Life Electric 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Vauxhall Astra Electric 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Vauxhall Frontera Electric 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Vauxhall Grandland Electric 鈥 拢1,500 off
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric 鈥 拢1,500 off
1. Vauxhall Corsa Electric
The Vauxhall Corsa Electric is a small hatchback which represents great value for money. Not only does the EV grant knock 拢1,500 off, you can save a further 拢7,200 on one through 莲花直播 at the time of writing. It鈥檚 not the most exciting EV out there, but the Corsa Electric is comfortable to drive, packed with tech and it鈥檒l be very cheap to run.
2. Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
SUVs may be all the rage these days, but the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric makes a solid case for the humble MPV. Its commercial vehicle roots make it a hugely practical family car, and it鈥檚 comfy to drive as well.
3. Vauxhall Astra Electric
If you鈥檙e after a stylish and comfortable family car, the Vauxhall Astra Electric is worth a look. It鈥檚 available as a hatchback or as a roomy estate, and it comes with loads of standard equipment. It鈥檚 just a shame that it鈥檚 a bit dull to drive. On top of the 拢1,500 government grant, you can also save up to 拢7,300 on a new Astra Electric through 莲花直播 at the time of writing.
4. Vauxhall Mokka Electric
The Vauxhall Mokka Electric is essentially a jacked-up version of the Corsa Electric, and it鈥檚 a much more funky-looking thing. It may not be all that practical, but the Mokka is still comfy to drive and has a respectable 248 miles of range. 莲花直播 has massive savings of over 拢10,000 available on certain versions of the Mokka Electric, so add in 拢1,500 from the government and you鈥檙e left with a seriously cheap EV.
5. Vauxhall Frontera Electric
This is the new Vauxhall Frontera Electric, a great-value electric SUV which, while pretty small on the outside, has a cavernous interior and a big boot. It does feel pretty cheap inside, but with prices starting from just 拢24,000 this is easy to forgive. You can also save an average of 拢4,000 on a Frontera Electric through 莲花直播 at the time of writing.
6. Vauxhall Grandland Electric
We鈥檝e actually been living with a Vauxhall Grandland Electric for a few months, and it鈥檚 a spacious, comfortable and well-equipped family car. It鈥檚 not as exciting to look at as a Peugeot E-3008, but it鈥檚 also a lot cheaper than that car. Prices start from 拢36,955, 拢10,000 less than the Peugeot, and you can save a further 拢7,500 through 莲花直播 at the time of writing.
7. Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
This is another familiar van-based MPV. The Vivaro Life Electric is the same under the skin as a Peugeot E-Traveller or Citroen e-Spacetourer. It鈥檚 just as practical and comfortable as those cars, but suffers with the same poor driving range.
Volkswagen cars on the new EV grant scheme
1. Volkswagen ID3
The Volkswagen ID3 hatchback is a spacious and comfortable electric car with impressive range, but the infotainment system is a bit fiddly to use. The ID3 starts from 拢30,860, which drops to 拢29,360 with the government grant. Keep in mind as well that the sporty GTX version isn鈥檛 eligible for the EV grant thanks to its more powerful motors and higher price tag.
2. Volkswagen ID4
The Volkswagen ID4 is a spacious, comfortable and well-equipped electric SUV, although it鈥檚 not as stylish as something like a Mini Countryman Electric. It鈥檚 still a bargain on the EV scheme though, with a 拢1,500 discount bringing the starting price down to 拢35,495.
3. Volkswagen ID5
You can think of the Volkswagen ID5 as being like an ID4 in a tracksuit, because it鈥檚 basically the same car with a sporty-looking sloping roofline. It鈥檚 not much more exciting to drive, but it鈥檚 still packed with tech and has a good-sized boot. It also costs the same as the ID4 on the scheme, with prices starting from 拢35,495.
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So, what cars will be eligible?
Only cars from brands committed to a Science-Based Target (SBT) for cutting emissions 鈥 and that have demonstrated real progress 鈥 will qualify. Nearly 50 new electric car models are expected to meet these sustainability criteria, with more likely to be confirmed soon.
There are two levels of support: the greenest models qualify for the full 拢3,750 discount, while cars that don鈥檛 quite meet the highest eco-standards still get 拢1,500 off.
The grant is not only being given to cars with a recommended retail price (RRP) of 拢37,000 or less. If the cheapest version of a model costs less than 拢37,000 and qualifies for the grant, pricier trim levels above it will also get the grant as long as they have the same size battery. However, it鈥檚 important to note that there鈥檚 now a 拢42,000 price cap on these more expensive variants, which means some top-end versions are now excluded.
Toyota and Skoda are the latest brands to join the scheme. And you can now get 拢1,500 off a Proace City Verso or bZ4X from Toyota, and an Elroq or Enyaq from Skoda.
Although the Enyaq starts at over 拢37,000 (around 拢39,010), it shares key approval documents with the Elroq, including their battery systems. This allowed the government to assess both models together for the EV grant, resulting in the Enyaq鈥檚 inclusion alongside the Elroq.
There鈥檚 also 拢1,500 off electric vans such as the Peugeot e-Traveller, Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, and the Citroen e-SpaceTourer.
On 28 August, Ford and DS joined the EV grant, with the Ford models being the first to qualify for the full grant of 拢3,750 on the Puma Gen-E and the Ford e-Tourneo Courier.
They joined the likes of Cupra, Peugeot, and Volkswagen, with certain models approved for the 拢1,500 EV grant on 15 August 鈥 you can save on a Cupra Born, Peugeot e-2008, and Volkswagen ID3.
On 9 August, 13 models from Nissan, Renault, and Vauxhall were also added to the list, meaning there are 拢1,500 discounts on models such as the Nissan Micra, Renault 5, and Vauxhall Corsa Electric.
But Citroen was the first brand to be approved for the scheme on 5 August. You can get 拢1,500 off six Citroen electric models, including: e-C3 and e-C3 Aircross, e-C4, e-C4 X, e-C5 Aircross, and the e-Berlingo.
Some brands are already offering pre-grant discounts
There鈥檚 been a lot of back and forth about whether Chinese car brands 鈥 known for offering some of the cheapest electric cars around 鈥 will be eligible for the government鈥檚 鈥榮econd level grant鈥 of 拢1,500. Some reports say they might qualify based on their environmental credentials, while others suggest they could be left out entirely.
Instead of waiting around for a decision, brands such as Great Wall Motors, Leapmotor, and Skywell have gone ahead and launched their own discounts that match the grant. You can also find similar deals on popular models such as the MG S5 EV and MG4, on top of any other offers MG already has going.
And it鈥檚 not just Chinese brands getting in on the action 鈥 Alfa Romeo, Hyundai, Volvo, Smart, Volkswagen, Skoda, Vauxhall, Suzuki, and Toyota are also offering discounts on certain models across their ranges.
Want to learn more? Head over to our dedicated page for the latest discounts outside of the government grant.
What does the grant mean for you?
Many drivers say the upfront cost of electric cars is a major barrier. This grant is designed to close that gap, making EVs more affordable from the get-go.
On top of the discount, electric cars can save you up to 拢1,500 a year on fuel and running costs compared to petrol cars. Combined with lower taxes and ongoing savings, switching to an EV is becoming an increasingly smart choice for families looking to save money.
The market is also getting more affordable, with two in five used electric cars sold for under 拢20,000 and 34 brand new models priced below 拢30,000.
EV charging is also booming, with over 82,000 public points across the country 鈥 and a new one popping up every 30 minutes. So whether you鈥檙e at home, work, or on a longer trip, charging your car is getting easier.
The grant could also change the game for car leasing. Rob Buckland, leasing director at 莲花直播 Leasey, explains that once manufacturers are approved for the grant, the on-the-road (OTR) prices of qualifying electric cars will drop 鈥 and that customers will expect transparency around whether those savings are passed on to them.
What if I鈥檝e ordered a car before the grant was announced?
If you鈥檝e already ordered a car that鈥檚 now included in the grant scheme, you鈥檙e probably wondering what this means for you. At the moment, there鈥檚 no official guidance, and each approved manufacturer may handle things a little differently.
For Renault customers, only orders showing the grant deduction on the invoice are eligible. Meanwhile, Nissan says it will review on a case-by-case basis requests from customers who have already ordered one of their eligible cars but still wish to claim the grant.
Citroen says that customers who ordered a car before 16 July 鈥 and are proceeding to register it 鈥 will not be eligible for the grant. A customer could ask their retailer to cancel and restart the order to make it eligible; however, there鈥檚 no guarantee that the original terms (such as price or finance arrangements) would still apply.
If you鈥檙e still unsure where your order lies, it鈥檚 best to speak with your dealership or the manufacturer directly. They can explain how the grant process works for your order and let you know if there鈥檚 any way to adjust it so you don鈥檛 miss out.
What else is the government doing?
Along with the electric car grant, the government is investing 拢25m to help local councils install 鈥渃ross-pavement鈥 charging solutions. These involve digging a small trench in the pavement with a flap that lets a charging cable safely cross the road without causing a trip hazard.
This setup will make it easier for people without driveways to charge their EVs at home with cheaper electricity, potentially saving some drivers up to 拢1,500 a year compared to petrol or diesel.
On top of that, another 拢30m is going towards helping businesses switch their fleets to electric, and 拢8m will bring chargers to over 200 NHS sites across the country.
The scheme also comes alongside the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires car manufacturers to sell more zero-emission vehicles every year. Updates to these rules are helping car companies feel confident about making more electric cars.
And for every driver, the government is putting a record 拢1.6bn into fixing potholes and freezing fuel duty at 5p until spring 2026 鈥 which should save most drivers around 拢50-60 a year.
What are carmakers doing?
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are getting involved with the new electric car grant by applying online to get their vehicles approved and manage the grant process.
However, Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said the industry wasn鈥檛 asked for input before the grant was launched. While he welcomed the idea of support, he pointed out that it doesn鈥檛 help all brands equally 鈥 which isn鈥檛 ideal.
Some car models won鈥檛 qualify for the grant at all, which could make it harder for those brands to meet new zero-emissions rules. Hawes also noted that setting the grant limit at 拢37,000 effectively divides the market and leaves some buyers out.
Instead, the SMMT had been pushing for a VAT cut on EVs sold to private buyers, saying that would do more to help the people who really need support. 鈥淲e get the ambition behind it,鈥 said Hawes, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 still not very clear.鈥
Here鈥檚 a list of 莲花直播鈥檚 best EV guides for you to check out:
- How to charge an electric car at home and on the road
- Electric car charger installation costs
- 10 best home EV chargers in the UK
- What are the main benefits of electric cars?
- Do you pay road tax on an electric car?
- How to charge an electric car with no driveway
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