First electric car models eligible for full purchase grants revealed

The £3,750 price reduction is the maximum available under the Government’s £650 million electric car grant scheme.

The other 26 models included in the initiative so far are only eligible for grants of £1,500.

Rates are based on sustainability criteria.

Cars must be priced at no more than £37,000 to be eligible.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “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.

“Our measures are driving competition in the UK EV market, boosting economic growth, and supporting jobs and skills.”

The DfT said many drivers cite upfront costs as a “key barrier” to buying an EV, and the grant will bring down prices so they “more closely match their petrol and diesel counterparts”.

Discounts are automatically applied at the point of sale.

More models are expected to be approved in the coming weeks.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “Drivers frequently tell us that the upfront costs of new EVs are a stumbling block to making the switch to electric.

“It is great to see some of these more substantial £3,750 discounts coming online because for some drivers this might just bridge the financial gap to make these cars affordable.”

Ian Plummer, commercial director at online vehicle marketplace Autotrader, said: “The electric car grant prompted the highest uptick in consumer demand for EVs in three years on Autotrader, and interest in cars priced below £37,000 almost doubled.

“Half of consumers say price is the biggest barrier to going electric, so it’s fantastic to see the first tranche of models qualify for the full £3,750 grant.”