The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced the first electric vehicles eligible for the Government’s new electric car grant. Four Citroën models – the ë-C3, ë-C4, ë-C5 Aircross and ë-Berlingo (M versions only) – now qualify for the lower tier of the scheme, offering buyers an automatic £1500 discount on the recommended retail price. This reduces prices to £20,595 for the e-C3, £21,595 for the ë-C3 Aircross, £32,565 for the ë-C5 Aircross and £29,740 for the ë-Berlingo.
Citroën ë-C5
These models are the first approved under the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG), launched in July. Greg Taylor, Citroën UK’s managing director, expressed delight at the announcement, saying it helps make EVs more accessible.
To be eligible, vehicles must cost £37,000 or less and meet certain sustainability standards. Band one models, deemed the most environmentally friendly, can receive up to £3750, while band two models qualify for up to £1500. Only manufacturers with verified science-based targets (SBTs) and low embodied carbon scores are eligible.
Citroën ë-Berlingo
The SMMT estimates that a third of the EV market could meet the grant’s criteria, although many Chinese and South Korean BEVs may not qualify. Other manufacturers, including Hyundai and Volkswagen Group, have since introduced their own discounts.