The ministers have cut again the plug-in cats grant. We detail which models are eligible for the reduced £1,500 subsidy
The Government has slashed both the value and eligibility for grants that are designed to cut the cost of relatively expensive electric vehicles.
Originally launched in 2011, the Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) offered up to £5,000 off the price of a new EV.
But a decade later, transport ministers in December 2021 have again bludgeoned the value of the subsidy to just £1,500 and capped its availability to models priced at less than £32,000 – down from £35,000 previously.
The scheme excludes models such as Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
27 models had been eligible before the grant was cut. Since it was scaled back at the end of December, only 17 models on sale qualify for the £1,500 grant.
We’ve listed the cars that are eligible – and some that are likely to have their prices trimmed so they sit below the new £32,000 threshold.
Below is a list of grant-entitled EVs starting at the cheapest and ending at the most costly.
All models listed below are shown with their prices with the £1,500 grant included.
Smart EQ Two
Price: From £20,725
Grant-eligible Versions: All versions
Range:70 miles
Smart EQ Fortwo is the cheapest electric car. However, you shouldn’t plan on long distance trips in this small city car.
The Smart EQ Fortwo is the cheapest electric car in Britain right now, with prices starting from £20,725 including the £1,500 PiCG subsidy.
Both a cabrio and coupe version are available, with the latter being the cheaper of the two choices – expect to pay a premium of around £2,400 for the soft-top equivalent.
Daimler’s brand has a luxurious interior. However, there are only 2 seats and one boot.
It has a range of 70 miles on full charges. The Fortwo was designed for urban driving and not motorway schleps.
Smart EQ for Four
Price: From £20,795
Grant-eligible Versions: All versions
Range: 70 Miles
Similar to the smaller EQ Fortwo the Forfour four-seat model has a range just 70 miles. It is therefore only useful for urban driving.
You may not find the Fortwo enough space inside, so the Forfour is four-seat and can be used to carry passengers or small items in the back.
This model shares many of the same mechanical and interior underpinnings with the Fortwo. It is a unique design that offers a lot of quality and quirky design.
The two share an identical electric drivetrain, battery and motor, so they have the same range of 70 miles. For many drivers, this won’t be enough – especially when you’re spending almost £20,000 on a supermini.
Smart has removed the availability of its UK site, which could mean that you won’t be able find one in showrooms.
Fiat 500
Price: From £21,995
Grant-eligible Versions:The La Prima Convertible is not available.
Range:Distance: 199 Miles
Fiat is now selling the 500 only in electric form. This bold move by Fiat was unprecedented. The price of the range-topping cabrio is too expensive to be eligible for the PiCG
Fiat made bold statements with the new 500-city car. It will only be offered with an electric motortrain. The older model will remain in production for those who need it.
New 500 is available in UK showrooms starting this year. The vehicle has a range between 199 and 300 miles.
The cheapest version is the ‘Action’ trim, which has a smaller 24kW battery and starts from £21,995 inclusive of the PiCG. The top of the range La Prima Convertible with the bigger 42kW battery pack is priced at £33,495, so is not eligible for the grant at all.
Volkswagen e-Up!
Price: £22,055
Grant-eligible Versions: Only one version on sale
Range:Distance: 159 mi
VW e–Up is the perfect small electric city car. The VW e-Up is one model that qualifies easily for the grant.
Volkswagen’s new e-Up looks exactly the same mechanically as its Seat Mii Electric or Skoda CitiGo-e. They were all made at the same plant.
The sister models are now sold out, and they’re no longer in stock at UK showrooms.
The e-Up had cost almost £1,000 more than the Seat version. This basically gives you all the benefits of driving in a VW.
The e-Up is the most small car on this list. The interior has the most mature look.
Nissan Leaf
Price: From £26,995
Grant-eligible Versions: Leaf Acenta, Leaf N-Connecta (no Leaf e+ eligible)
Range: Distance: 168 mi
The longest-running EV on the market is the Nissan Leaf, which was built in Sunderland. Electric car grants are currently only available for models with lower specifications and smaller batteries.
One model most affected by recent cuts in the grant for plug-in cars is the Leaf. It is Britain’s longest-running electric car.
Currently, only the lower-spec, small-battery examples qualify for the grant, with the Acenta and N-Connecta priced below £32,000. The range is up to 168 miles with a 40kWh lithium-ion battery.
For those wanting the longer 239-mile range of the Leaf e+ models – with a bigger 62kWh battery pack – then you will need to pay full price, as the cheapest retails at £32,945. Nissan will soon announce pricing adjustments to ensure that most Leafs are eligible, if not all of them.
Mini Electric
Price: From £27,000
Grant-eligible Versions: Level 1, Level 2
Range: 140 Miles
Mini Electric was built in Oxford and is one of our most popular zero-emission vehicles. Only the Level 1 and Level 2 trims currently qualify for the £1,500 subsidy
Mini’s electric model is made at Plant Oxford, which is responsible for the recent popularity of this hatchback.
Although the Mini’s urban-focused range is only 140 miles, it comes with an attractive package that features responsive handling and a sporty feeling. This will bring a smile to even the most ardent petrolhead’s faces.
Only the Level 1 and Level 2 trims are eligible for the £1,500 grant, with the Level 3 (priced at £34,500) and range-topping ‘Collection’ (£35,050) above the scheme’s £32,000 cap.
Mazda MX-30
Price: From £27,145
Grant-eligible Versions: All but the range-topping GT Sport Tech
Range: Distance: 124 mi
Mazda’s MX-30 is Japan’s first EV. It may have a unique exterior design and lots of usefulness inside, but a range only 124 miles will not be sufficient for most drivers.
Mazda’s MX-30 was its first electric vehicle. It features funky crossover design with pillarless clamshell door, plenty of interior space, and remarkable handling.
Every model in the range bar the top-spec ‘GT Sport Tech’ trim level (£32,945) are eligible for the grant, offering up to £1,500 off the price.
But there’s a problem – the range. Mazda’s offer of only 124 mile will not be sufficient for many drivers. The real-world numbers are a bit lower than those quoted.
MG5 EEV
Price: From £27,495
Grant-eligible Versions: All versions
Range: 214-250 miles
Our first model is from MG Motor. It is owned by Chinese company SAIC. The 5-EV estate-size car is family-sized and has an estimated range of over 200 miles.
MG Motor, which has relaunched under Chinese ownership (the parent company is Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), has two electric models in its fleet, including the 5 EV.
This estate car is family friendly and has a range of 214 miles, so it will suit many drivers. The new Long Range version, which was launched in July, can travel up to 250 mi.
Priced from under £28,000 (for the lesser-range version) when factoring in the plug-in car grant, its proof that not all large electric models are ultra expensive. The roof rails on the 5 EV have had issues in the past.
Volkswagen ID.3
Price: From £28,135
Grant-eligible Versions: Pure Performance Life, Pro Life
Range: From 216 to 264 miles
The ID.3 model from Volkswagen is undoubtedly the most valuable and most purchased. The grant is only available for two models of electric Golf hatchbacks.
This is the ID.3 model, which can be considered the most significant model on this list. It’s both the first EV built from scratch by the German giant as well as the original ID model. This is the car that has helped to restore the brand’s reputation after the 2015 emissions cheating scandal.
It’s a medium-size hatchback sharing similar dimensions to the company’s hugely popular Golf, and is just £7,000 (a relatively small difference compared to other models in this list) more expensive than the cheapest Golf with a petrol engine under the bonnet.
Volkswagen in July revised its ID.3 line-up to boost the number of models eligible for the Plug-in Car Grant, but since the Government moved the goalposts with a new £32,000 price cap in December, only two qualify for the scheme
There are two versions: the Life Pure Performance (up to 276 miles range), and the Life Pro (upto 264 miles range). The scheme does not currently cover any of the 77kWh batteries, which can provide up to 340 mile range.
Vauxhall Corsae
Price: From £28,440
Grant-eligible Versions: SE Nav Premium, SRi Nav Premium
Range:209 miles
Vauxhall seems to have the Corsa-e on its side, particularly since the Ford Fiesta (which is still to debut a plug-in variant) has not yet launched a model.
Vauxhall Corsa currently is the most popular car in Britain. This may be due to its popularity and Corsa-e.
Ford has yet to make an electric Fiesta available for sale, but the Corsa-e is the best option. It shares the same underpinnings as the Peugeot e-208, next on our list.
Although it is closer to the more affordable end of the EV marketplace, it serves as a reminder about how expensive battery-powered cars can be at this time. Even with the £1,500 government grant, it is £11,600 more expensive than the entry Corsa with a petrol engine – a 64 per cent premium. Only the lowest-spec SE Nav Premium and SRi Nav Premium trims qualify for the grant, with the higher-spec versions over the £32,000 eligibility cap.
Peugeot e-208
Price: From £28,225
Grant-eligible Versions: Active Premium, Allure Premium
Range:217 miles
The Corsa-e has the same underpinnings as the Peugeot e-208. We think the latter is the more attractive of the electric superminis.
If you’re looking for a stylish electric supermini priced this side of £30,000, the e-208 from Peugeot is a good option.
The exterior is stunning and the range is impressive at 217 miles. The electric Peugeot grant is not available for every model. Only the entry-spec Active Premium and Allure Premium qualify, while the GT and GT Premium (with the same 50kWh battery) are above the scheme’s £32,000 cap.
The e-208 is a more attractive proposition than the Mini Electric.
Renault Zoe E-Tech Electric
Price: From £28,595
Grant-eligible Versions: Only the entry-spec Play
Range:Distance: 234 Miles
The Renault Zoe, like the Leaf has been around for a while. The Renault Zoe is a small, plug-in vehicle that’s very popular. However, Euro NCAP crashes have shown it to be not especially safe.
The Zoe was on the UK market for longer than many EVs and used to be one of the cheapest pure electric cars.
This is no longer true. The new pricing structure has pushed prices up more than others – making it impossible for entry-spec Plays to qualify for the grant. That means you can only save £1,500 on the price of a Zoe that can cover 234 miles between charges, rather than the longest range of 245 miles.
Renault had been selling the Zoe without any head-protecting airbag since its facelift in 2020. As a result, the testing body awarded it a zero star safety rating – only the third car in a quarter of a century to get the bottom score.
Nissan e-NV200 Combi
Price: From £28,855
Grant-eligible Versions: Only the entry-spec Visia (both 5 or 7 seats)
Range: Distance: 124 mi
If you have a big family and require seven passengers, the Nissan eNV200 Combi people car is available with an electric motortrain.
The grant is only available to the Nissan eNV200 Combi electric people carrier.
The entry-spec versions – called ‘Visia’ – of both the five- and seven-seat e-NV200 qualify for the scheme, with on-the-road prices below the £32,000 subsidy ceiling.
The range of the vehicle is just 124 miles, so it’s not meant for very long journeys. It would be a great school-run vehicle and a green commuter if your family is large.
Hyundai Kona Electric 39kWh
Price: From £28,950
Grant-eligible Versions: Only 39kWh battery SE Connect and Premium versions (64kWh battery versions not eligible)
Range: Distance: 155 mi
Since December 20,21, only the Hyundai Kona Electric with a smaller battery capacity is eligible to receive a reduced government subsidy
The Hyundai electric Kona SUV comes in two sizes of battery: the smaller, 39 kWh offering a driving range range of 155 mile when fully charged and the larger 64kWh which offers a greater range range (range 245 miles).
All 39kWh versions already qualified for the grant but prices of the 64kWh models exceed the lowered £32,000 price cap threshold set by the Department for Transport. But, Hyundai could make Kona attractive for customers if they want to.
Its practical layout and comprehensiveness have received rave reviews.
MG ZS EV
Price: From £29,495
Grant-eligible Versions: Only the entry-spec SE
Range: 273 miles
The MG Motor ZS EV might be a more appealing package than the 5 EV estate with SUVs generally more desirable to Britons
An estate car might not be your style, but MG offers a ZS EV SUV. Although it is a few grand less expensive than the 5 EVO, its 72kW battery packs provide a greater range. They were introduced in November 2021.
The family model is among the most cost-effective electric models available, with lots of space as well as a Euro NCAP rating of five stars.
Currently, only the basic ‘SE’ trim qualifies for the electric car grant, with the Trophy and Trophy Connect options both marginally above the £32,000 threshold – though we wouldn’t be surprised to see MG Motor cut prices to make them all qualify for the scheme.
Honda-e
Price: From £30,165
Grant-eligible Versions: Only the entry-spec e (not the e Advance)
Range: 137 miles
While the Honda-e’s range is not very large, its charming interior and beautiful exterior make up for it. It’s one of the most interesting offerings eligible for the £1,500 grant
Honda’s first EV was an impressive one. The e is the most striking model on this list. It has a unique compact design and resembles hot hatches from the seventies to eighties.
The car’s unique design, including the dashboard-spanning display and the absence of wing mirrors (cameras mounted on stalks that project images to cabin screens instead), make it very appealing. This is undoubtedly the most adorable EV currently on sale.
However, when you’re paying over £30,000 for an electric car including a Government subsidy, you might want more than 130 miles of range. The higher-spec e Advance is also no longer eligible for the grant as it costs £34,165 – some £2,165 over the scheme’s price cap.
SsangYong Korando eMotion
Price: TBC
Grant-eligible Versions: Ventura
Range:Distances approximately 200 mi
While the SsanyYong Korando eMotion – the brand’s debut electric model – hasn’t yet gone on sale, the Government says it’ll be eligible for the reduced plug in car grant
SsangYong’s first pure-electric vehicle, the Korando eMotion, is due to go on sale in January 2022 and the Government seemingly already knows the ‘Ventura’ trim level will be eligible for the sub-£32,000 grant.
This SUV is comparable to the MG ZS, with a range around 200 miles.
ELECTRIC CARS ARE CHECKED OUT BY THE CUTS TO GRANT
These are the models that were previously eligible for the plug-in car grant when the price cap was at £35,000…
BMW i3 or i3s
Range: 175-190 Miles
BMW UK had done a “pricing realignment” for the i3 & more powerful i3s so they can both continue to receive the electric car grant. But now, their prices are too high to qualify.
A reduced grant for BMWs is available only to BMWs that are not long-standing i3 models.
While the i3 is less powerful, it can travel 182 to 193 miles with a single battery charge. The i3’s more powerful counterpart, however, has 173-175 miles when fully charged.
Citroen e-C4
Range: 217 Miles
Citroen, which was first to respond to the ministers’ March 2021 decision to reduce the grant, has been priced out from the scheme
Citroen’s e-C4 is one of the newest newcomers on the market. The French firm was one of the first to react to the Government’s March 2021 lowered cap, but now not a single version sits below the new £32,000 threshold.
Brand has switched to a new crossover design for its latest C4 model. Its interior boasts a luxurious 10-inch touchscreen that dominates the cabin.
The Citroen claims a range of 217 miles, so it will suit most people. It also comes with an 11kW charger that can charge the Citroen in just five hours using a 32-amp wallbox.
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense
Range:191-206 mi
DS Automobiles launches cars that are both comfortable and stylish. This is what the DS3 Crossback E-Tense achieves.
The DS3 Crossback E-Tense, a French luxury brand’s solution to a small electric family SUV is called the DS3 Crossback E-Tense.
It shares many parts with both the Peugeot Mokka-e and Vauxhall Mokka-e. However, its suspension has been tuned for better handling on bumpy roads. The interior and exterior share flashes fashion-inspired designs.
The price cap of £32,000 for the grant means it is no longer eligible for the scheme.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Range:194 miles
The Ioniq from Hyundai feels old compared with the newer models. This car is likely to be discounted by dealers
The Ioniq, an electric car, is getting old. Hyundai has rectified this by updating its battery for 2021. This will give it an additional 26 mile range, making it more competitive with other electric cars.
Hyundai had previously slashed prices by around £1,100 so it could sit within the grant’s threshold. However, we’ll have to wait and see if Hyundai does it again following this latest round.
Kia e-Niro
Range: Distances of 180-282 mi
All Kia e-Niros that have the smaller battery of 39kWh were previously eligible for the grant. But, this is not the case anymore as of December 20,21
The Kia e-Niro, like the Hyundai Kona brother car which is also eligible for grant funding, comes with the option of a either a 39kWh nor 64kWh battery. While the former promises up to 180 miles, the latter boasts up to 282 miles.
All variants of the 39kWh version – called the e-Niro ‘2’ – cost less than £35,000, but are more than £32,000 so no longer meet the restriction to qualify for the grant.
Kia Soul Electric
Range:Distance: 280 mi
Kia had slashed the price of the Soul EV to shoehorn it into the grant’s eligibility but since the cap was reduced to £32,000 it again doesn’t qualify
Kia decided to slash the price of the Soul EV in order to force it to qualify for the grant back in March, but it no longer meets the pricing criteria, with all versions over £32,000
A 64kWh lithium-ion battery powers the First Edition Long Range, which provides up to 220 miles on one full charge. It is an excellent family wagon.
Peugeot e-2008
Range:226 miles
The grant is not available to Peugeot’s e2008. Only the lower trim levels of the e-2008 were eligible previously.
Peugeot also reduced the price of its e2008 after the Government lowered the price cap on March 20,21. However, not every version is now eligible for the scheme.
It’s similar to the smaller 208e, which is also in our list for eligible motors. This car has a beautiful interior and was designed specifically for European customers who are looking for high-tech materials.
The car’s 206 mile range and rapid charging time make it a good family vehicle for any type of travel.
Skoda Enyaq iV
Range: Distance: 256 mi
Skoda Enyaq has a great driving range and lots of space inside. It was priced at the end of the grant and could be tempted to drive away from their diesel or petrol SUVs.
Enyaq iV, a highly competent electric family vehicle, is proof that new models are constantly moving forward and making EV ownership possible for a greater number of motorists.
But it’s another that has fallen prey to the Government’s decision to lower its electric car grant price cap. The scheme is not available for all versions of the electric car today.
Vauxhall Mokka e
Range: 297 miles
Vauxhall’s latest model, the Mokka-e, is a French-owned creation that shows Vauxhall taking a bold new direction.
You can see the Mokka e’s – bright and bold – skin underneath. The same underpinnings are found in the Peugeot e 2008, which has become a popular theme since the French parent company Groupe PSA owns Vauxhall (and Opel for mainland Europe).
It has a claimed range of 201 miles, which is actually a few miles shy of e-2008’s 206-mile claim. In the real world however, this difference shouldn’t be significant and Mokkae’s stylish and bold looks could influence your decision.
Since the Government’s latest announcement, it no longer qualifies for the electric car grant of £1,500.
Volkswagen ID.4
Range: 231 miles
In May, VW announced a new base-spec version of the ID.4 SUV – which was voted World Car of the Year for 2021. The City Pure spec offers231 miles of range and a grant-compliant price
There are many credentials to the ID.4, not the least of which is that it was voted the World Car of the Year in 2021.
The family SUV hit showrooms earlier this year and is one of the cars to suffer worst from the cuts to the grant, meaning the entire range is priced out of the £2,500 subsidy.
Even the newest entry-spec model of the range, called the “City Pure” and released in May 2021, doesn’t conform to the pricing requirements for Government grants.
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