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). And now, a few models hit the top £3,750 grant level, too.
Most cars so far eligible for the grant have fallen into the lesser level. The exact criteria for the grant is murky, and only a handful of cars have succeeded in getting the full £3,750 grant.
The latest cars to qualify for the higher level of the grant are the BMW iX1 and iX2. These are the first premium German cars to benefit from the full grant, after BMW reduced the starting price of both cars. Previously, the iX1 started from more than the maximum £42,000 cap for the grant, but now the entry-level iX1 starts from £37,065.
For the first time in the UK, the iX2 comes in a lower-spec Sport trim level; both the iX1 and iX2 in Sport trim cost £33,315 after the grant is applied. The iX1 in xLine trim is £2,000 more, while both the iX1 and iX2 in M Sport trim start from £38,065. Some versions of the iX1 and iX2 are now cheaper than equivalent petrol versions.
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
- Alpine A290
- BMW iX1
- BMW iX2
- Citroen e-C5 Aircross (97kWh battery)
- Ford Puma Gen-E
- Ford e-Tourneo Courier
- Kia EV2 (61kWh battery)
- Kia EV4
- Mini Countryman
- Nissan Leaf SUV
- Nissan Micra (52kWh battery)
- Renault 4
- Renault 5 (52kWh battery, '+' trim levels)
- Renault Scenic E-Tech
Electric cars eligible for a £1,500 grant
- Abarth 600e
- Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica
- Citroen e-C3
- Citroen e-C3 Aircross
- Citroen e-C4 and e-C4 X
- Citroen e-C5 Aircross Comfort Range
- Citroen e-Berlingo (M versions only, not XL)
- Citroen e-SpaceTourer – You! trim
- Cupra Born – all except VZ trim
- Cupra Raval
- DS 3
- DS No.4 (previously called DS 4)
- Fiat 600e
- Ford Capri
- Ford Explorer
- Hyundai Kona Electric
- Jeep Avenger
- Jeep Compass
- Kia EV2 (42.2kWh battery)
- Kia EV3
- Kia PV5 Passenger
- Nissan Ariya
- Nissan Micra (40kWh battery)
- Peugeot E-208
- Peugeot E-2008
- Peugeot E-308
- Peugeot E-408
- Peugeot e-Rifter
- Peugeot e-Traveller
- Renault 5 (40kWh battery)
- Renault Megane E-Tech
- Skoda Elroq – all except vRS
- Skoda Enyaq – SE L and Edition models with 63kWh battery
- Skoda Epiq
- Toyota C-HR+
- 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. Polo
- Volkswagen ID.3 – all except GTX
- Volkswagen ID.4 – Pure Essential, Pure Match, Pro Essential
- Volkswagen ID.5 – Pure Match, Pro Essential
In response to the announcement of the grant, many manufacturers – including some from Europe – announced their own savings packages.
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.
