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Introduced in July 2025, the Electric Car Grant is a government-backed scheme that offers discounts on a wide range of new electric cars, helping to reduce upfront costs for both private buyers and businesses.
With the plug-in grant now extended for a further 12 months following Rachel Reeves’ 2025 Budget announcement, and £1.3 billion added to the funding pot, the list of eligible vehicles has continued to grow.
Below, we’ve rounded up the latest official list of electric cars that currently qualify for the Electric Car Grant, including which models receive the full £3,750 discount and which are eligible for the lower £1,500 incentive.
What is the Electric Car Grant?
The Electric Car Grant (ECG) is designed to encourage more drivers to make the move to electric by reducing the cost of new EVs. Depending on the model, buyers can receive either £3,750 or £1,500 off the list price of an eligible vehicle, with the discount applied directly at the point of sale or lease.
Vehicles are grouped into two bands, based on factors such as efficiency, price and sustainability criteria met by the manufacturer.
Which cars qualify for the Electric Car Grant?
Band 1 - £3,750 grant
- Alpine A290
- Citroën ë-C5 Aircross (Long Range only)
- Ford E-Tourneo Courier
- Ford Puma Gen-E
- Mini Countryman Electric
- Nissan LEAF
- Renault 4
- Renault 5
Band 2 - £1,500 grant
- Citroën ë-C3
- Citroën ë-C4 and e-C4 X
- Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
- Citroën ë-Berlingo
- Citroën ë-Spacetourer
- Cupra Born
- DS DS 3
- DS No4
- Kia EV4
- Kia PV5 Passenger
- Nissan Ariya
- Nissan Micra
- Peugeot E-208
- Peugeot E-2008
- Peugeot E-308
- Peugeot E-408
- Peugeot E-Rifter
- Peugeot E-Traveller
- Renault Megane E-Tech
- Renault Scenic E-Tech
- Škoda Elroq
- Škoda Enyaq
- Toyota bZ4X
- Toyota Proace City Verso
- Vauxhall Astra Electric
- Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric
- Vauxhall Frontera Electric
- Vauxhall Grandland Electric
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Volkswagen ID.5
How do I access the Electric Car Grant?
The grant is applied automatically when you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle through an approved dealer. That means you won’t need to fill out forms or claim it separately, as the discount is already factored into the price.
The scheme applies per vehicle, not per person, so drivers can benefit multiple times if they choose more than one eligible EV.
What if a car isn't eligible?
Not all electric cars currently qualify for the official Electric Car Grant. However, several manufacturers have introduced their own EV incentives to help keep prices competitive. Brands such as Hyundai, MG, Toyota, Volvo and Smart are offering manufacturer-backed savings that can match, or come close to, the government grant.
While these offers aren’t part of the Electric Car Grant scheme, they can still provide strong value on selected electric models, depending on your budget, usage and preferred specification.
Will more cars be added?
Yes. The list of eligible vehicles is expected to continue expanding as more manufacturers submit models for approval. If an electric car isn’t included right now, it may still be added in the coming months as the scheme evolves.
How do manufacturers qualify for the grant?
It’s not just the vehicles that need to meet standards – the manufacturers do too. To qualify, carmakers must demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability and greener practices across their operations.
Each year, manufacturers are assessed to make sure they remain compliant. Those that fall short can be suspended or removed from the scheme.
A key part of the criteria is alignment with Science-Based Targets (SBT) – a globally recognised framework that ensures companies are taking meaningful action to cut emissions and move towards net zero.
By setting these standards, the grant supports only the most responsible manufacturers, ensuring drivers benefit from savings while encouraging carmakers to raise the bar on sustainability.
Looking for a new car?
The Electric Car Grant is a welcome boost for UK drivers considering an EV. Whether you’re taking the plunge with your first electric car or upgrading to the latest model, there’s never been a better time to start exploring your options.
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