Best cars eligible for new electric car grant

The government’s new Electric Car Grant makes certain electric cars cheaper to buy, slashing the cost of selected models by as much as £3,750 at the point of purchase. Great news if your budget is within the £37,000 ceiling below which cars need to sit to stand a chance of qualifying for the grant, of which there are nearly 70 at the time of writing. Exactly which of those will score the discount, and whether that will be the full amount or a lower £1,500 rate, will depend on the sustainability of the vehicle’s manufacturing process, with details of how that will be judged still to be confirmed. Given the government hopes to support local manufacturing where possible, and using some informed guesswork, we’ve selected 10 affordable electric cars we hope meet the criteria and will be even more affordable once everything is confirmed.

The Renault 5 gained so much attention when it first appeared as a concept, and impressively the production version lives up to the hype. Thanks to its combination of retro and modern styling, its usable driving range and its city-friendly proportions, the Renault 5 is a fantastic package and offers great value for money too. It was a deserving winner of the Erin Baker Award at the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards this year and being eligible for the new electric car grant would be the cherry on top of a very appealing cake.
Find out more about the Renault 5 here

The Vauxhall Corsa offers a no-nonsense approach to going electric, with its reassuringly familiar looks and intuitive layout, it is a great option for any first-time EV owner. The Corsa may not have the French flair of the closely related Peugeot e-208, but does have sharp looks, and it is strong on value. Vauxhall’s Electric Streets campaign is aiming to make it easier for those without the luxury of off-street parking to make the switch to an EV. So, if the Corsa makes the cut for the new government grant, it could seal the deal for a lot of potential buyers.
Find out more about the Vauxhall Corsa Electric here

Nissan was a pioneer of electric mobility, and the original Leaf signalled the beginning of the electric revolution as we know it. Now in its third generation, the Nissan Leaf has had a total glow-up so it’s out with the slightly awkward looking hatchback and in with a sleeker crossover body shape. This iteration of the Leaf builds on all of Nissan’s EV experience with its range of up to 375 miles, its modern minimalist interior and its array of latest tech. Plus, the new Leaf will be manufactured in the UK at Nissan’s Sunderland plant which will hopefully mean it meets the sustainability criteria for the maximum government grant.
Find out more about the Nissan Leaf here

We love how Skoda consistently takes all the best bits from Volkswagen and manages to make them even better by adding distinctly Skoda touches. For this reason, we hope the Skoda Elroq will be eligible for the new grant. While the Elroq may look a little dull compared to rivals like the Kia EV3 or the Renault Megane E-Tech, it certainly packs a punch when it comes to practicality – just watch Rory’s video if you don’t believe us. The Elroq is spacious, classy and, even though only the models with the smaller batteries are likely to get the grant, it still offers a decent range.
Find out more about the Skoda Elroq here

The plucky Fiat Grande Panda can’t help but make you smile – we dare you to look at it without beaming from ear to ear. The Grande Panda is such a jolly car with its funky looks, colourful interior and thoughtful touches like the ‘bambox’ made of actual bamboo. Few cars in this modern age are so refreshingly playful, nor are they so reasonably priced. The electric version would make a great runabout and with an official range of nearly 200 miles, it would fit into most people’s lifestyles. So, if the Grande Panda is eligible for the grant it can only be an added bonus.
Find out more about the Fiat Grande Panda here

The e Vitara is Suzuki’s first foray into building an electric car. Like the Jeep Avenger, the e Vitara offers rugged looks, but unlike the Jeep it can back them up with some light off-roading capabilities. There are both two-wheel and all-wheel drive versions of the e Vitara which are available from under £37,000, so hopefully Suzuki will have the sustainability creds to meet the grant criteria. We enjoyed our short test drive in the e Vitara and appreciated the amount of tech you get as standard. It may not be a sporty SUV, but it is spacious, comfy and true to Suzuki’s practical Japanese spirit.
Find out more about the Suzuki e Vitara here

This Citroën ë-C3 is the Fiat Grande Panda’s Gallic cousin and, true to form, it uses the same ingredients to create another well-priced compact EV. The interior is light and airy, while the ride quality is akin to driving around on a pillow thanks to Citroen's unwavering devotion to comfort. We love how it has a boxy SUV-like shape while maintaining relatively petite proportions. The ë-C3 is very French, very comfy and if it gets the electric car grant it could be very, very affordable.
Find out more about the Citroen e-C3 here

If you like the Renault 5, but you need a tad more space, than the Renault 4 is just for you. With equally distinctive looks, the Renault 4 has its own unique vibe and is slightly more focused on comfort than its smaller sibling. With a larger boot and more legroom in the back than the Renault 5, the Renault 4 would make a great little family car, with bags more character than most of its rivals. We are particularly excited about the wide canvas sunroof which will become available shortly, making the Renault 4 one of the few convertible EVs on the market.
Find out more about the Renault 4 here

The Jeep Avenger may share parts with the closely related Fiat 600e and Vauxhall Mokka Electric, but it has a whole personality of its own. With its rugged looks it is ready to take on the urban jungle with the help of a suite of the latest driver aids to keep you out of trouble. This makes it very easy to live with and while its price was already appealing, the electric car grant won’t go amiss if it is applied to the Avenger.
Find out more about the Jeep Avenger here

Hyundai, like Kia has used the switch to electric cars to reposition itself as a modern tech-focused brand. The Kona is a mid-size electric car from Hyundai offering plenty of space, refinement and style which makes effortlessly easy to recommend. Only entry-level models look like they will fall under the £37,000 threshold, but despite this you won’t be short of mod-cons including keyless entry, a large central touch-screen and a heat pump to optimise efficiency in colder weather. Unlike the smaller Inster, the electric Kona is made in Europe, which should give it a better chance of being eligible for the new grant.
Find out more about the Hyundai Kona here