What Models Are Included in the Government’s Electric Car Grant?

Eligibility Criteria at a Glance

To grab the discount, EVs must:

• Be fully electric (no hybrids or plug-ins)
• Carry a recommended retail price (RRP) of £37,000 or below—only the base model’s key performance options (battery size, drivetrain, power) count toward this cap 
• Offer a 3-year/60,000-mile general warranty, and 8-year/100,000-mile battery/drivetrain warranty, with retention of at least 80% battery capacity after 3 years, and 70% after 8 years
• Meet strict sustainability metrics, including science-based emissions reduction targets—some models qualify for Band 1 (£3,750) or the more common Band 2 (£1,500) grant

Which Models Currently Qualify?

According to the official GOV.UK list, these are the approved vehicles (band and grant indicated):

Band 1 (£3,750 grant)

• Ford Puma Gen-E
• Ford E-Tourneo Courier

Band 2 (£1,500 grant)

• Citroën: ë-C3, ë-C3 Aircross, ë-C4, ë-C4 X, ë-C5 Aircross, ë-Berlingo, ë-SpaceTourer
• Cupra Born
• DS DS3, DS4
• Nissan Ariya, Nissan Micra
• Peugeot: e-208, e-2008, e-308, e-408, e-Rifter, e-Traveller
• Renault: 4, 5, Alpine A290, Megane, Scenic
• Skoda Elroq, Skoda Enyaq
• Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Proace City Verso
• Vauxhall: Astra Electric, Combo Life Electric, Corsa Electric, Frontera Electric, Grandland Electric, Mokka Electric, Vivaro Life Electric
• Volkswagen ID.3

Find more updated information on GOV.UK

So yes—28 EVs in total are eligible as of late August 2025, most receiving £1,500, with only a couple getting the full £3,750 discount 

EVs That Don’t Qualify—And Why

1. Tesla Model 3 / Model Y

These remain popular, but…

• Their price exceeds £37,000, even basic versions—so they don’t qualify
• Chinese-made EVs like BYD are also excluded due to sustainability scoring and lack of UK-based assembly

2. Luxury Models from BMW, Audi, Mercedes

• Premium trims generally exceed the £37,000 threshold and don’t meet grant criteria. Examples from older schemes (e.g., BMW i8) were disqualified—same logic applies now 

3. Chinese-made EVs (e.g., MG4, BYD Seal)

• These are excluded based on sustainability metrics (manufacturing emissions, lack of verified science-based targets) despite competitive pricing 

4. Models with List Prices Over Cap

Even some less glamorous EVs don’t qualify—e.g., Smart models sometimes exceed the £37k cap; high-spec trims of Nissan Ariya and Micra exceed eligibility

Why This Matters

• You’re cut out of the grant if your chosen EV exceeds £37k, even by a pound—so confirm that the base RRP (excluding performance-bump options) qualifies.
• Only a handful of vehicles earn the full £3,750 because meeting sustainability standards is tough and costly.
• Many popular and aspirational EVs are locked out, forcing buyers to choose either cheaper cars or pay full price.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Overpay—Choose Smart

If you’re shopping now, make sure to:

1. Check the entry-level RRP to ensure it’s under £37,000—don’t assume trim extras are okay.

2. If you want the juiciest £3,750 cut, consider the Ford options—but be warned, very few cars make the sustainability grade.

3. Otherwise, you’ve got a solid range of sub-£37k European EVs from Citroën, Renault, Nissan, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Skoda, Volkswagen, and more giving you £1,500 off the top.