The Labour government has significantly broadened its flagship Electric Car Grant scheme, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announcing that a total of 45 models are now eligible for financial support.
Grant Expansion Puts Money Back in Families' Pockets
Heidi Alexander revealed that the initiative has already helped over 40,000 drivers make the switch to electric vehicles. The latest expansion effectively doubles the number of models qualifying for the top-tier discount. The scheme now offers grants of either £3,750 or £1,500, depending on the vehicle model and price.
"We’re doubling down on our drive to help people buy EVs, extending the grant to push down costs and boosting charging access with a further £200 million to expand the charging network across the UK," Alexander stated. She emphasised that this move is designed to put thousands of pounds back into more families' budgets.
The minister also confirmed an additional £200 million to support the rollout of more public chargepoints. This funding builds on the existing £381 million allocated to help local councils deliver over 100,000 new public chargers.
Industry Welcomes Boost to Consumer Confidence
Industry leaders have praised the grant's impact on the electric vehicle market. Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Autotrader, noted a clear surge in consumer interest. "The number of people viewing grant-eligible models on Autotrader has increased by over 100% in some instances," he said.
Plummer added that the investment in charging infrastructure is vital to ensure all drivers can benefit from the lower running costs of EVs, particularly those without off-street parking.
Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, highlighted the positive trends in new EV inquiries driven by the grant. "Its continued support by this government is a welcome measure, providing certainty and improving confidence for UK EV charge point manufacturers," she said. Farmer also pointed out that the expanded eligibility makes the government's ambitious Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate increasingly achievable.
Full List of Eligible Electric Vehicles
The following vehicles are now eligible for the Electric Car Grant. The list is divided into two tiers based on the discount amount.
Eligible for the £3,750 Electric Car Grant:
- Alpine A290
- Citroen e-C5 Aircross Long Range
- Ford E-Tourneo Courier
- Ford Puma Gen-E
- Mini Countryman Electric
- Nissan Leaf
- Renault 4
- Renault 5 (52 kWh)
Eligible for the £1,500 Electric Car Grant:
- Citroen e-C3, e-C3 Aircross, e-C3 Urban Range, e-C4, e-C4 X, e-C5 Aircross, e-Berlingo, e-SpaceTourer
- Cupra Born
- DS DS3, DS N°4
- Mini Countryman Electric
- Nissan Ariya, Nissan Micra
- Peugeot E-208, E-2008, E-308, E-408, E-Rifter, E-Traveller
- Renault 4, Renault 5, Renault Megane, Renault Scenic
- Skoda Elroq, Skoda Enyaq
- Toyota Proace City Verso
- Vauxhall Astra Electric, Combo Life Electric, Corsa Electric, Frontera Electric, Grandland Electric, Mokka Electric, Vivaro Life Electric
- Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5
The expansion of the grant scheme, announced on December 28, 2025, represents a major step in the government's strategy to accelerate the transition to electric transport across the United Kingdom.
