UK: More manufacturers offer EV subsidies ahead of ECG
To qualify for the £3,750 in subsidies, electric cars need to cost less than £37,000. That is a tangible requirement every consumer can work with and, according to The Electric Car Scheme, there are more than 40 models that would qualify for subsidies in terms of price. And the List is not complete
However, as we explained in this article, there are also several environmental factors that carmakers need to comply with. For instance, the environmental footprint of each vehicle based on its production lifecycle. The battery production location accounts for 70 per cent of the score, while the vehicle assembly location makes up the remaining 30 per cent. For that score to be calculated, manufacturers need to hand in a series of documents to the Department for Transport (DfT), which will then determine eligibility.
Needless to say, it will take a while until consumers benefit from the Electric Car Grant or at least know which EVs are eligible. As reported last week, a number of Chinese manufacturers, like Leapmotor, GWM, and MG Motor, already announced their own subsidies. Presumably, because they won’t qualify for the ECG, as China uses mostly coal to produce electricity, which will be reflected in the overall sustainability score. However, the list is growing.
Volvo Car
Volvo Car UK has introduced a £1,500 grant for customers purchasing the fully electric Volvo EX30. The electric SUV is produced in Belgium and starts at £33,060. The initiative applies to all new variants of the EX30, which is currently Volvo’s smallest-ever SUV.
Volvo states that it has applied for eligibility for subsidies under the ECG. It remains to be seen whether it will keep up its self-funded initiative once it receives the green light from the government.
Hyundai
Hyundai UK has launched the Hyundai Electric Grant, offering immediate savings across its fully electric vehicle line-up. The initiative provides £3,750 off the Hyundai Inster and £1,500 off other electric models, including the Kona Electric, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Ioniq 5 N and the newly introduced Ioniq 9.
The grant is part of Hyundai’s strategy to support EV uptake by providing clear and direct financial incentives. The carmaker states that it applies to retail purchases and is available immediately.
Skywell
Skywell UK has introduced a £3,750 grant for its BE11 electric SUV range, alongside a £6,000 deposit contribution for customers financing through its dealer network. With both incentives applied, the BE11 72kWh Standard Range model, offering a WLTP range of 248 miles, is priced from £27,245. The 86kWh Long Range variant, with a range of up to 304 miles, starts from £30,245.
Like other carmakers, Skywell will apply for the ECG and the manufacturer notes that it is currently gathering the necessary documentation to meet those conditions. However, it expects that process to take several months.
“A number of caveats and requirements have been set by the Government before any vehicle is approved onto the new electric car grant scheme, which has left manufacturers, dealers and customers in limbo,” said David Clark, General Manager at Skywell UK. “We want to show UK customers that we fully support the shift to electrification.”
Great Wall Motor (GWM)
GWM UK introduced a £3,750 ‘Green Grant’ for its ORA 03 models, matching the government EV grant without waiting for approval for the ECG. GWM’s offer applies to PURE, PRO, and GT variants, bringing the entry-level model to £21,245 OTR with immediate availability and 0% APR finance options.
“We don’t believe our customers should have to wait for the government to decide which vehicles qualify for the EV grant. So, we’ve taken matters into our own hands and matched the £3,750 saving, available to everyone, right now, on our ORA 03 range,” said Toby Marshall, Managing Director at GWM UK.
MG Motor
MG Motor UK also introduced its own EV subsidies. It offers a £1,500 grant for private buyers of the MG4 EV and MG5 EV. The cars start at £36,495 and £28,495, respectively.
“MG has been a key contributor to the EV sector, consistently recognising the economic and environmental benefits of introducing a wide range of affordable, electric-only models. Today’s announcement underlines this commitment and in addition to this, we will also seek to work constructively with the Government to further increase the sale of EVs,” said Guy Pigounakis, Commercial Director for MG Motor UK.
Leapmotor
Leapmotor was the first Chinese EV maker to announce subsidies for its EV lineup in the UK. It offers buyers of the T03 and C10 electric SUVs savings of up to £3,750. The T03 is available from £15,995, while the C10 starts from £36,500. The Leap Grant, as Leaptmotor calls its rebate, covers £1,500 for the T03 and £3,750 for the C10.
The T03 is available from £15,995 OTR, while the C10 starts from £36,500 OTR.
Alfa Romoeo
The new Alfa Romeo EV Grant offers customers a £1,500 saving across all Junior models, including the Elettrica, Speciale, Intensa and Veloce. With the grant, the Elettrica costs £32,405 (£33,905 without); the Speciale, £34,205 (£35,705 without); the Intensa, £37,405 (£38,905 without); the Veloce, £40,805 (£42,305 without). Alfa Romeo UK says it will also offer a complimentary Ohme ePod or Home Pro EV to customers including installation. There will also be the option to offer a 3-year service plan for an additional £199.
Alfa Romeo UK Managing Director, Jules Tilstone, said: “To underscore the commitment Alfa Romeo has in making electrification more accessible we want to support customers with our EV Grant. Our entire fully electric Junior range is now more appealing than ever with this incentive, which along with our existing retail offers, will help encourage Britain’s drivers on their electric journey.”
Smart
Smart UK has introduced a £1,500 ‘smart EV Car Grant’ for its #1 and #3 models. The grant applies across the brand’s entire electric line-up and can be combined with existing manufacturer discounts, such as the current £2,000 offer on the Smart #1. This allows for a total potential saving of £3,500 on selected models. The new grant is effective immediately.
Smart is also offering 0% APR finance, with monthly payments for the smart #1 starting from £315 and a £1,461 deposit. The company plans to expand its electric portfolio later this year with the launch of the Smart #5, a midsize SUV scheduled for Q4 2025.
Volkswagen, Cupra and Skoda
Volkswagen Group brands VW, Skoda and Cupra have introduced a £1,500 Grant Guarantee across selected electric models, offering buyers certainty ahead of the Government’s expected EV incentive. The offer applies to a broad range of vehicles, including the VW ID.3 and ID.4, Cupra Born, and Skoda Enyaq and Elroq. Orders must be placed by 31 August 2025, with deliveries from 1 September on ‘75’ plates. The £1,500 saving is fixed regardless of whether buyers qualify for the still-unconfirmed Government grant, though it cannot be claimed alongside it.
VW Group, already the UK’s biggest carmaker, aims to stay ahead of government policy while providing clarity for EV buyers. All major trims are included in the offer, covering various battery options and body styles, from the compact Cupra Born to the family-sized Skoda Enyaq SUV. It marks another step in the growing trend of aggressive discounting in the UK electric car market.
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Kia
Kia is offering a £3,750 deposit contribution on its EV3 and all-new EV4 models, both in entry-level Air specification, throughout Q3 2025. The incentive applies to versions equipped with the 58kWh battery, reducing the EV3 Air’s price from £33,005 to £29,255 and the EV4 Air from £34,495 to £30,945. The offer is available immediately and runs alongside existing finance packages.
By offering the deposit contribution now, Kia provides upfront savings while the market awaits clarity on government support. Unlike Hyundai’s broader “Electric Grant” offer, Kia is limiting its incentive to two models in a single trim level.
Fiat
FIAT has reintroduced its £1500 E-Grant to retail customers on orders placed from 1st August 2025, applying the discount to the Fiat 500e, 600e, Abarth 500e and Abarth 600e models. The E-Grant was first launched in June 2023 after the UK Government ended its electric car incentive scheme in 2022. This offer enhances existing retail deals, including 0% APR finance on the Fiat 500e Personal Contract Purchase. The Fiat 500e features up to 87 kW output and a range of up to 199 miles. The Fiat 600e has 115 kW power and over 250 miles of range. The Abarth 500e delivers 113.7 kW with 0-62 mph in 7 seconds, while the Abarth 600e produces 280 hp and accelerates to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds. Prices start at £25,035 for the 500e and £36,985 for the Abarth 600e.
Vauxhall
Vauxhall says it will apply £1,500 Electric Car Grant across its entire electric car range “pre-emptively”. It has yet to receive the green light from the government saying that it does qualify for government subsidies, but the carmaker seems confident that it will. However, this is a limited time offer, as it is only valid for orders placed until the end of the month.
On top of the grant, Vauxhall says it offers 0% APR four-year PCP finance on the Corsa Electric, Mokka Electric, Frontera Electric (44kWh), Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric. Customers benefit from up to £1,500 deposit contribution and the ‘Electric All In’ package, offering £500 towards home or public charging plus 10,000 miles of free home charging. Monthly payments start at £177 for the Frontera Electric GS, £300 for the Corsa Electric Ultimate, £334 for the Mokka Electric GS and £329 for the Astra Electric GS. Vauxhall confirms all electric cars remain below the £40,000 threshold for the new VED ‘Expensive Car Supplement’.
Suzuki
Suzuki has launched its self-funded “Suzuki Granted” offer for the upcoming e Vitara, its first electric car, ahead of the autumn 2025 launch. The deal includes a £3,750 saving on the 49kWh Motion model, reducing its price to £26,249, matching the higher-level Government Electric Car Grant. The offer applies across the five-model e Vitara range and runs until 31st December 2025.
Customers ordering within this period receive a free Ohme home charger. The e Vitara is available with 49kWh and 61kWh battery options, including the ALLGRIP-e electric 4WD system. Finance starts at 2.9% APR PCP over four years, with monthly payments from £299 on a 61kWh Motion 2WD model. The e Vitara carries up to 10 years’ vehicle and battery warranty. Suzuki plans to launch four more EV models by 2030.
No rebate from BYD
As other carmakers offer rebates or their own Electric Car Grants in the IK, Chinese automaker BYD has launched a five-year free servicing offer on selected new and approved used models to support EV ownership. BYD’s offer covers scheduled maintenance and labour based on two-year/12,420-mile service intervals for models including Dolphin Surf, Dolphin and Atto 3, plus all approved used vehicles bought via its UK retail network.
Additionally, BYD has extended its battery warranty to eight years or 155,342 miles with a minimum 70% state of health guarantee, applying across its EV and DM-i ranges. The servicing offer runs until the end of 2025.
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