If you're after a brand-new electric car, there's a big choice of models that are eligible for the government's £1,500 Electric Car Grant (ECG).
The grant consists of two bandings – a £1,500 level and a £3,750 level. The exact criteria for the grant is murky, but only two models have so far been eligible for the full £3,750 – two Ford models that are partly made in the UK.
Remember that these grants apply to brand-new EVs ordered directly from the manufacturer. There aren't any grants for used EVs at the moment, but then many used electric cars offer great savings versus the list price anyway.
Electric cars eligible for a £3,750 grant
- Ford Puma Gen-E
- Ford e-Tourneo Courier
Electric cars eligible for a £1,500 grant
- Alpine A290
- Citroen e-C3
- Citroen e-C3 Aircross
- Citroen e-C4 and e-C4 X
- Citroen e-C5 Aircross
- Citroen e-Berlingo (M versions only, not XL)
- Citroen e-SpaceTourer – You! trim
- Cupra Born – all except VZ trim
- DS No.3 (previously called DS 3)
- DS No.4 (when it goes on sale in October 2025)
- Mini Countryman Electric
- Nissan Micra
- Nissan Ariya
- Peugeot e-208
- Peugeot e-2008
- Peugeot e-308
- Peugeot e-408
- Peugeot e-Rifter
- Peugeot e-Traveller
- Renault 4
- Renault 5
- Renault Megane E-Tech
- Renault Scenic E-Tech
- Skoda Elroq – all except vRS
- Skoda Enyaq – SE L and Edition models with 63kWh battery
- Toyota bZ4X – Pure
- Toyota Proace City Verso
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric
- Vauxhall Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric
- Vauxhall Frontera Electric
- Vauxhall Grandland Electric
- Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
- Volkswagen ID.3 – all except GTX
- Volkswagen ID.4 – Pure Essential, Pure Match, Pro Essential
- Volkswagen ID.5 – Pure Match, Pro Essential
Nissan expects the new Leaf to hit the top £3,750 grant, although we had thought that many European-built EVs would hit the eco-friendly criteria, too.
In response to the announcement of the grant, many manufacturers – including some from Europe – announced their own savings packages.
- Abarth – £1,500 saving on 500e and 600e
- Alfa Romeo – £1,500 saving on Junior Elettrica range
- Fiat – £1,500 saving on 500e and 600e
- GWM Ora – £3,750 saving on 03
- Hyundai – £1,500 saving on Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9; £3,750 saving on Inster
- Leapmotor – £1,500 saving on T03 and £3,750 saving on C10
- MG – £1,500 saving on MG4 (including XPower) and MGS5
- Peugeot – £1,500 saving on e-308, e-408 and e-Traveller
- Smart – £1,500 saving on #1 and #3
- Skywell – £3,750 saving on BE11
- Volvo – £1,500 saving on EX30
However, make sure you look at our used electric cars – all with considerably more savings than the government grant.
We're EV experts – make sure to read our guide to buying an EV and how to charge at home.
