A guide to the UK’s electric car grant scheme expansion

Brands offering pre-grant discounts

Some manufacturers have launched their own discounts to bring EVs under the £37k limit and attract more buyers.

Citroën, Vauxhall, and Peugeot have adjusted pricing, so that certain popular models fit grant eligibility. For example, Citroën’s ë-C3 now starts from £20,595 after the grant, and Vauxhall offers extra savings and deposit contributions on its electric range.

Some dealers are also advertising extra savings to match or supplement the Band 2 discount, but these are retailer initiatives, not part of the Government scheme.

When comparing offers, always check whether a saving is an official Government grant, a manufacturer promotion, or a dealer discount - and whether they can be combined.

If you see a car listed as eligible in the press, cross-check with the official list of eligible models - and get confirmation of the discount in writing before agreeing to buy.

EV chargepoint grants

Alongside the car grant, there are several EV chargepoint grants to help fund home, workplace, and fleet installations.

	What you can get	Who qualifies
Home chargepoint grant	Up to £350 or 75% of cost, whichever is lower.	Renters and flat owners with private parking – and property owners and renters with only on-street parking.
Landlord grant	Up to 75% off wider installation costs (max £30,000), including wiring for future sockets.	Landlords. Visit the GOV.UK website to learn more.
Depot charging scheme	Up to 75% of installation costs (max £1 million per organisation) for depot charging infrastructure.	UK fleet operators. Visit the GOV.UK website to learn more.

 

Which Motability cars are eligible for the new EV grants?

Motability customers can also benefit from the electric car grant if their chosen vehicle meets the same price, range, and zero-emission criteria as retail buyers.

However, many adapted or premium EVs exceed the price limit – and not all Motability cars qualify. So, check directly with Motability Operations or your chosen dealership before ordering.

Other electric car rollout incentives

Beyond the grant, EV owners also benefit from several tax and cost-saving advantages:

• Vehicle Excise Duty (VED): The first-year road tax on zero-emission cars is lower than hybrid, petrol, and diesel equivalents.
• Benefit-in-Kind (BiK): Lower company-car tax rates are available for EVs and salary-sacrifice schemes. Visit our car tax guide to see the current VED and BiK tax rates.
• Cheaper running costs: EVs are typically cheaper to run than traditionally fuelled vehicles.
• Local incentives: EV drivers often benefit from free travel within emissions-based zones. Free or discounted parking is also available at some public charging locations.
• Congestion Charge exemption: EVs are exempt from London’s Congestion Charge until 25th December 2025.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I ordered a car before the grant was announced?

If you ordered your car before its variant was officially approved, it might not automatically qualify for the grant. Only cars registered under the Government’s EV grant scheme are eligible.

Manufacturers and dealers can choose to honour equivalent discounts, but this isn’t guaranteed, so it’s best to confirm in writing.

• Renault: Only orders that show the grant deduction on the invoice are eligible.
• Nissan: Will review requests case by case for customers who already ordered but still want to claim the grant.
• Citroën: Orders placed before 16 July aren’t eligible. Customers can cancel and reorder to qualify, but the original pricing or finance terms may not apply.

How do I make the most of the electric car grant scheme?

• Confirm your variant’s eligibility before you buy.
• Check whether it’s Band 1 (£3,750) or Band 2 (£1,500).
• Combine with charger grants and tax perks for maximum savings.
• Keep an eye on GOV.UK updates. New eligible models are added frequently.