Drivers to save up to £3,750 as six electric car models added to government grant scheme
Drivers could save up to £3,750 on new electric vehicles (EVs) after six models were added to the government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme.
The Ford Puma Gen-E and Ford e-Tourneo Courier are the first vehicles to qualify for the maximum discount of £3,750. Four further models – the Peugeot E-308, Peugeot E-408, DS 3 and DS Nº4 – will receive a £1,500 reduction. The move brings the number of eligible EVs to 28.
The scheme is part of a wider £650 million government package designed to cut upfront costs, boost EV sales and strengthen the UK automotive sector, which supports more than 133,000 jobs. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the discounts would help households and businesses transition to electric vehicles.
“We’re putting money back in people’s pockets and making it easier and cheaper for families to make the switch to electric, by delivering discounts of up to £3,750 on EVs,” she said. “Our measures are driving competition in the UK EV market, boosting economic growth and supporting jobs and skills as part of our Plan for Change.”
Industry leaders have welcomed the announcement. Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair and managing director, said the brand was “proud that Ford’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised with the full EV grant”. Nicola Dobson, managing director at Peugeot UK, said the scheme would “give customers more opportunities to benefit from lower upfront costs and greater choice”, while Jules Tilstone, managing director of DS Automobiles UK, described it as a “welcome support which makes premium electric mobility more accessible”.
The impact of the grant is already being felt. Autotrader data shows eligible models have seen up to an 80% increase in consumer interest, with cars priced below £37,000 almost doubling in demand. Edmund King, AA President, said the discounts could prove decisive: “For some drivers, this might just bridge the financial gap to make these cars affordable,” he said.
The government is also investing in charging infrastructure, with more than 83,000 public charge points now available and over 100,000 more to be delivered through the £381 million Local EV Infrastructure Fund. A further £63 million package was announced in July to expand home charging options, with running costs as low as 2p per mile for some drivers.
Officials say more models are expected to qualify for the scheme in the coming weeks, subject to meeting sustainability standards.