The new Citroen e-C4 is among those to receieve a £1,500 discount from the UK government. Picture: Citroen

First electric vehicles eligible for government discount revealed

Paul JonesAugust 5, 20250 Comment0

THE first electric vehicles (EVs) to qualify for a £1,500 discount have been confirmed.

Last month, the Government announced a £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme, offering up to £3,750 off EVs.

Now, four Citroën models – the ë-C3, e-C4, ë-C5 and the ë-Berlingo – have been revealed as the first vehicles that quality for a £1,500 discount from today (August 5).

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander (Lab, Swindon South) said: “With the first four models approved today and more to come over the next few weeks, this summer we’re making owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.

“Once again we’re delivering our Plan for Change by standing firmly on the side of motorists and manufacturers, driving down costs for consumers, supporting jobs and putting money back in people’s pockets.”

People buying a vehicle qualifying for the discount – meaning it adheres to the Government’s ‘highest manufacturing sustainability standards’, measured by CO2 emissions during the process – does not need to do anything, with the discount applied at the time of purchase.

And the administration said more discounts under the scheme will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months as makes and models are approved.

Under the plan, part of the Government’s Plan for Change, EVs in ‘band one’ will qualify for a £3,750 discount, while those in ‘band two’ will receive up to £1,500 – which includes the first vehicles announced today.

Greg Taylor, managing director, Citroën UK: “We welcome the support of the Electric Car Grant and are delighted to be the first to have our electric range, including the New ë-C3, New ë-C4, New ë -C5 Aircross and ë-Berlingo, approved and eligible.

“At Citroën we want everyone to have the opportunity to make the switch to an electric car and this support will help make our cars more accessible for our customers.”

RAC head of policy, Simon Williams, said: “It’s great to see the first qualifying models announced for the Government’s new Electric Car Grant.

“Not only does this mean more drivers will benefit from the lower cost of running an electric vehicle, but it’s hopefully the sign of more to come from other manufacturers in the weeks ahead.

“With nearly 1.6 million battery electric vehicles on the road already, it’s a real boost for the switch to electric.”