Lucky 13: New Electric Cars Approved for Government Grant

The government has announced the inclusion of 13 new electric vehicles (EVs) in the Electric Car Grant scheme, featuring models from Renault, Alpine, Nissan, and Vauxhall. However, it's worth noting that these vehicles will only qualify for a lower grant of £1,500, as none have met the criteria for the maximum £3,750 grant amount.

Electric Car Grant Details

The renowned Renault 5, a stylish hatchback, is one of the newly confirmed models, dropping its starting price to just £21,495 thanks to this grant. This new batch of approved vehicles adds to the six models from Citroën announced earlier this week, making it a total of 19 models eligible, though all fall short of the higher grant threshold.

The list of eligible vehicles includes:

• Renault 5: Now £21,495
• Renault 4: Now £25,495
• Renault Megane: Now £30,995
• Renault Scenic: Now £35,495

Additionally, the Alpine A290, a sportier version of the Renault 5, is also part of the grant program. However, the high-performance GTS model does not qualify due to its price exceeding £37,000.

Nissan and Vauxhall Models

The Nissan Micra, which shares common components with the Renault 5, and the Nissan Ariya, a larger SUV, are also included in the £1,500 grant program. Nissan has made strategic price adjustments to its models to ensure they remain under the £37,000 grant cap.

On the other hand, all variants of the Vauxhall EV lineup will benefit from the £1,500 grant. This includes the electric versions of:

• Vauxhall Corsa
• Vauxhall Mokka
• Vauxhall Astra
• Vauxhall Frontera
• Vauxhall Grandland

Citroën's EV Offerings

Citroën has also confirmed that its entire electric lineup, consisting of the e-C3, e-C3 Aircross, e-C4, e-C5 Aircross, and e-Berlingo, is eligible for the same £1,500 discount.

While any reduction is beneficial for consumers, questions arise regarding the criteria for the higher grant amount and the implications of manufacturers lacking the required Science-Based Target Initiative (SBT) accreditation. This accreditation is necessary to show a commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero targets.

Industry insiders suggest that several brands are currently engaged in discussions with the government to secure eligibility for this crucial discount.

Industry Perspectives

John Veichmanis, CEO of Carwow, stated that the approval of affordable EVs under the Electric Car Grant is precisely what the market needs. Notably, demand for EVs priced under £37,000 increased by 124% following the grant announcement.

Steve Catlin, Managing Director at Vauxhall, emphasized the growing support for electric vehicles in the UK, hoping to see more customers transition to electric models.

James Taylor, Managing Director at Nissan Motor GB, highlighted Nissan's commitment to electric vehicles and acknowledged the excitement surrounding the Micra and Ariya’s inclusion in the grant program.

Adam Wood, Managing Director at Renault UK, stressed the importance of collaboration between manufacturers, the government, and charging infrastructure providers to enhance the electric vehicle ecosystem in the UK.

Simon Williams, Head of Policy at RAC, welcomed the new wave of EVs qualifying for the revised Electric Car Grant and noted that consumers now have more choices than ever to make an environmentally friendly switch.

This updated focus on the Electric Car Grant reflects a growing commitment to making electric vehicles more accessible while emphasizing the need for certain sustainability benchmarks among manufacturers.