Thirteen More Electric Car Models Eligible for New Government Grants

Strategic Insights -

The UK Government has announced that thirteen additional electric car models are now eligible for its new grant scheme, following the initial four Citroen models announced on Tuesday. The grant, worth £650 million, allows motorists to save either £1,500 or £3,750 on the purchase of new electric cars costing up to £37,000. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the grant is designed to make electric vehicles more accessible to families and create jobs and growth in the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thirteen more electric car models, including Nissan, Renault, and Vauxhall models, are now eligible for the new Government grant scheme, in addition to the initial four Citroen models announced on Tuesday.
  • All grant-eligible models announced so far are eligible for a grant of £1,500.
  • The grant scheme is worth £650 million and will enable motorists to save either £1,500 or £3,750 on the purchase of new electric cars costing up to £37,000.
  • The discount will be automatically applied at the point of sale, making it easier for drivers to make the switch to electric motoring.
  • The grant is part of the Government's efforts to make it easier and cheaper for families to go electric, with the aim of creating jobs and growth in the UK.
  • The RAC has welcomed the latest announcement, stating that it is yet more welcome news for those looking to make the switch to electric motoring.
  • Online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader has seen a spike in interest for electric cars since the grant was announced, with interest in some brands trebling.
  • Nissan and Vauxhall have expressed their commitment to electrifying the UK's car market, with Nissan's managing director stating that the announcement is "an exciting step in the UK's electrification journey".
  • The UK Government has pledged to ban the sale of new fully petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.

Statistics:

  • £1,500: the grant amount for each eligible model
  • £37,000: the maximum price of grant-eligible electric cars
  • 13: the number of new electric car models announced as eligible for the grant scheme
  • 4: the number of Citroen models initially announced as grant-eligible
  • £650 million: the value of the Government's electric car grant scheme
  • 17: the total number of car models announced to be eligible for the grant scheme so far
  • 28%: the minimum percentage of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year that must be zero emission under the Zev mandate
  • 21.6%: the percentage of new cars sold by all manufacturers in the UK during the first half of the year that were zero emission

Sources:

  • Department for Transport (DfT)
  • Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander
  • RAC head of policy Simon Williams
  • Online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader
  • Nissan Motor GB managing director James Taylor
  • Vauxhall managing director Steve Catlin
  • Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think tank head of transport Colin Walker