The government has confirmed another five models eligible for its new Electric Car Grant (ECG), including the Cupra Born – rated by Autocar as one of the most fun to drive EVs currently on sale.
The Born, Peugeot e-208, Peugeot e-2008, Peugeot e-Rifter and Volkswagen ID 3 will now receive a £1500 discount, boosting the list of eligible models to 24.
The ECG is applicable to certain EVs priced at £37,000 or under, depending on the emissions output of the countries where they are built, and amounts to either £1500 or £3750.
This first group of confirmed cars have received the lower amount, but some are among the cheapest EVs on sale already, making a £1500 discount all the more significant.
First 24 ECG cars: what they cost now
Alpine A290: £32,000
Citroën ë-Berlingo: £29,740
Citroën ë-C3: £20,595
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross:£21,595
Citroën ë-C4: £26,150
Citroën ë-C4 X: £27,215
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross: £32,565
Cupra Born: £34,190
Renault 4: £25,495
Renault 5: £21,495
Renault Megane: £30,995
Renault Scenic: £35,495
Nissan Micra: £21,495
Nissan Ariya: £33,500
Peugeot e-208: £28,650
Peugeot e-2008: £33,900
Peugeot e-Rifter: £30,750
Vauxhall Astra Electric: £33,505
Vauxhall Corsa Electric: £26,005
Vauxhall Frontera Electric: £22,495
Vauxhall Grandland Electric: £35,455
Vauxhall Mokka Electric: £31,005
Nissan GB managing director James Taylor has hailed the ECG as "a clear signal to both customers and manufacturers that they are prioritising the uptake of electric vehicles in the UK, and on providing affordable options to consumers".
He also noted that the Japanese firm has three new EVs on the way, referring to the Sunderland-built electric Juke, Qashqai and Leaf - the last of which is due imminently and is in a "very strong position" to benefit from the maximum £3750 grant.
Meanwhile, the UK-built Citroën e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life Electric were awarded the lower discount. This is likely to be because their batteries come from abroad, while the Nissan Leaf's battery will be supplied by the AESC factory next to Nissan's Sunderland plant.
The government has not given any indication of when to expect the next batch of ECG-eligible EVs, but many sub-£37k EVs – including many from Asia that are unlikely to be deemed eligible on the basis of their manufacturing and export CO2 footprints – have already been discounted by their makers.
Unlike with the previous Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), buyers don't need to register for the discount; instead, the ECG is automatically applied to the sale price of the eligible models.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “This summer, we’re making owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.”
To qualify for the grant, car manufacturers' models must meet science-backed emission-footprint criteria, while the individual model lines must be priced under £37,000 in entry-level trim.
Which discount a model receives – either £1500 or £3750 – is determined by its environmental impact: how much CO2 is emitted in an EV's production and assembly, along with the emissions footprint of its battery manufacture. Threshold levels have yet to be made public.
While any manufacturer can apply for their car to be included in the scheme, it's thought that, due to this criteria, cars produced in Asian countries will not be eligible for the ECG.
Worries about manipulation of the scheme have already been raised. For instance, sources have revealed to Autocar that car makers will be able to self-register EVs to receive the ECG.
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Should have phrased my previous comment better. I'll try again, as if you couldn't get 1.5k off a Vauxhall Mokka before. Dealers, not the consumer, must be laughing at the tax payers expense.
You are not negotiating because you offer the dealer nothing in return. Your are bargaining.
And, you are missing the point (surprise, surprise). Before the rebate any amount you bargain would come off the dealer's profit. With the rebate in place their profit is (almost) intact so you still have room for bargaining. Get it?
Do you struggle with everything. The dealer gets the grant, end of. Yes he'll knock 1.5k off the Mokka but they'd do that as an opening offer anyway.
This is a very poor scheme and most posters here understand that, most apart from you that is, again.
Nah, you're too stupid to understand the part about their profit, as obvious as that is, but arrogant enough to write the same shit three times and double down on it, all while imagining you're smart. A defining trait of Brexitardis Vulgaris.
In no way does this benefit the consumer, as if you could negiotiate a price and say right now we can knock another 2k due to grant.
This is a joke of a scheme and a waste of taxpayers money - and I am speaking as a person who is shortly to order a car that is eligible for the lower band ECG.
With the amount of manufacturer discounting of EVs I am dubious as whether another £1500 handout from the Govt will make much difference. However, if a stimulus is deemed necessary I would have targeted at encouraging the switching of higher emission ICE cars to EVs. Firstly, I would offer it only to private buyers - businesses and corporate owners are already well incentivised, Secondly, I would only offer the ECG to those buying their first car or trading in (or who have sold an older than 3 year old ICE) car within the previous 3 months. Thirdly, I would extend the grant to those buying an up to 3 year old used EV. These conditions would prevent the ECG (or the earlier versions) being given to recipients multiple times and help those on the bottom rungs of the car ownership ladder. It is a gross waste of taxpayer money to give me a payment when I have previously benefited from a completely free home charger including installation costs, a £5000 grant on my first EV and a £4500 grant on my second and the likelihood of another £1500 on my third. In my opinion the Govt attention should be focused on encouraging the scrappage of old and highly polluting vehicles owned by those who cannot afford to buy a new and at £37,000 relatively expensive new EV without some help.