The long-awaited day has finally arrived. After weeks of speculation from industry insiders, dealers, and consumers, the UK government has officially unveiled the first full list of electric vehicles (EVs) eligible for its £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG).

This landmark programme provides discounts of either £1,500 or £3,750 on qualifying EVs priced under £37,000. This rewards not only zero-emission driving but also sustainable manufacturing practices. The recently released list marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation. 17 models are now confirmed under the Band Two £1,500 category. No vehicles have yet achieved the top-tier Band One rating, but reviews of additional applications are underway.

More EVs Eligible: 13 Models Join UK Grant List

The Electric Car Grant, launched in mid-July 2025, is more than a price-cutting endeavour. It is structured to reshape the automotive market by setting a new standard for the manufacture of electric vehicles.

Manufacturers must meet strict environmental requirements that go beyond tailpipe emissions. They must be compliant with Science-Based Targets (SBT) for corporate carbon reduction and strict caps on embodied carbon in vehicle production.

The two funding bands by uk government are:

• Band One (£3,750) – reserved for EVs meeting the highest sustainability benchmarks, including verified low-carbon supply chains.
• Band Two (£1,500) – for EVs meeting the programme’s baseline sustainability criteria.

One additional benefit is that, unlike older grant systems, this discount is applied automatically at the point of sale. It significantly eases administrative hurdles for the buyer.

New Electric Car Models Added: variety and accessibility in EV choices

Now that the announcement is official, consumers can choose from a variety of compact city cars, family-friendly hatchbacks, and electric SUVs. The eligible list is dominated by four major manufacturers: Citroën, Renault, Nissan, and Vauxhall. Each of them presents models at competitive prices as well as an accessible range and comfort.

Detailed breakdown of eligible electric cars:

Manufacturer	Model	Approx. Price	Grant Amount	Band
Citroën	ë-C3	£30,000	£1,500	Band Two
Citroën	ë-C4	£32,000	£1,500	Band Two
Citroën	ë-C5 Aircross	£35,000	£1,500	Band Two
Citroën	ë-Berlingo	£28,500	£1,500	Band Two
Renault	Renault 4	£25,000	£1,500	Band Two
Renault	Renault 5	£27,000	£1,500	Band Two
Renault	Megane E-Tech	£36,000	£1,500	Band Two
Renault	Scenic E-Tech	£34,000	£1,500	Band Two
Alpine	A290	£33,500	£1,500	Band Two
Nissan	Micra Electric	£26,000	£1,500	Band Two
Nissan	Ariya	£35,500	£1,500	Band Two
Vauxhall	Corsa Electric	£31,000	£1,500	Band Two
Vauxhall	Combo Life Electric	£29,000	£1,500	Band Two
Vauxhall	Astra Electric	£34,500	£1,500	Band Two
Vauxhall	Mokka Electric	£33,000	£1,500	Band Two
Vauxhall	Frontera Electric	£36,500	£1,500	Band Two
Vauxhall	Grandland Electric	£35,000	£1,500	Band Two

Market reaction for electric car grant: optimism and caution

The list’s release has triggered immediate market movement. Several dealerships have reported a surge in enquiries. Some of them paired the grant with their own offers, such as 0% finance or free home charging installations. Many fleet managers are also anticipating that the programme could significantly lower the total cost of ownership for electric company cars.

The absence of Band One approvals, however, has tempered some of the excitement. Industry analysts note that meeting the government’s highest sustainability criteria will require comprehensive carbon audits and supply chain transparency. These processes  could take months.

Advice for potential buyers

Are you looking to make the most of the Electric Car Grant? Consider the following:

• verify eligibility – choose only the exact models and trims listed by the Department for Transport that qualify.
• mind the price ceiling – vehicles must be under £37,000 on-the-road.
• move quickly – funding is not infinite, and future lists may evolve.
• monitor Band One developments – higher discounts could appear later in the year (vehicles in Band One will receive up to £3,750).

New UK Grant Scheme: when will band one arrive?

The recent announcement marks a major step forward. However, the real test for the ECG will come when the first Band One £3,750-discounted models are approved. Such vehicles would represent not only a leap in consumer affordability but also a benchmark in sustainable vehicle manufacturing.

Government officials have given no fixed date for these approvals, claiming they need to conduct a thorough environmental verification. Industry insiders predict that the first Band One entries may emerge towards the end of 2025. For now, the spotlight is firmly on the 17 newly eligible models, which are expected to stimulate both private and fleet EV adoption in the months ahead.

Sources:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/electric-car-prices-slashed-as-grant-scheme-expands-to-13-more-models

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/discount-of-up-to-3750-on-electric-cars-set-to-slash-costs-for-thousands

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/news/here-are-the-electric-car-bargains-happening-this-week

https://chargedevs.com/whitepapers/electrification-gaining-momentum-in-fleet-vehicle-industry/

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fears-electric-car-grant-confusion-could-delay-ev-registrations

https://www.carthrottle.com/news/every-car-qualifies-uk-ev-grant