Best cars eligible for the Electric Car Grant

The government launched the Electric Car Grant (ECG) in July 2025 offering a discount of up to £3,750 off the price of selected new electric models. Now, a year later, there are around 60 eligible models ranging from large family SUVs like the Skoda Enyaq to compact city cars like the Kia EV2 and van derived models like the Ford E-Tourneo Courier – there’s really something for everyone.

Qualifying electric vehicles (EV) receive a grant of either £3,750 or £1,500 depending on their sustainability credentials and the application process remains open so new models regularly become eligible.

If you are looking for an affordable electric vehicle there’s an ever-increasing choice of options. Here are 10 of our favourite electric cars eligible for a grant.

For the full list of cars eligible for the ECG click here.

1 | Renault 5 E-Tech Electric

Thanks to its combination of retro yet modern styling, usable driving range and city-friendly proportions the Renault 5 is a fantastic package. We certainty enjoyed living with a Renault 5 on long-term test and we can see why owners voted it the Best Car for City Drivers, Most Fun Car to Drive and overall New Car of the Year at the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards 2026 – an impressive hat-trick indeed! As an extra cherry on top of an already appealing cake, the Renault 5 with the largest battery option scores the full £3,750 grant and models with the smaller battery bag a £1,500 discount.

Find out more about the Renault 5 here

2 | Mini Countryman Electric

Everything you love about the Mini brand but with enough space for the whole family. The electric Countryman has more personality than any rivalling SUV and we particularly love the interior with its textured dashboard and funky circular infotainment screen. Features like ‘Go-kart’ mode are a uniquely Mini touch, too. If all this isn’t enough to win you over, the Countryman is eligible for the full £3,750 grant – just don’t get carried away with the options list as by the time you’ve personalised your Mini with jazzy wheels, option packs and go-faster stripes, you’ll end up spending all the money you’ve saved!

Find out more about the Mini Countryman Electric here

3 | Nissan Leaf

Nissan was a pioneer of electric mobility, and the original Leaf signalled the beginning of the electric revolution. 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 and provides a range of just under 400 miles, a modern interior and an array of tech. Plus, the new Leaf is manufactured in the UK at Nissan’s Sunderland plant which helps it to meet the sustainability criteria for the maximum £3,750 government grant. For these reasons the Nissan Leaf won the Editor’s Choice Award at our 2026 Drivers’ Choice Awards. 

Find out more about the Nissan Leaf here

4 | Peugeot E-208

5 | Ford Puma Gen-E

The Ford Puma is the UK’s best-selling car and now there’s an electric version. This takes the Puma’s tried and tested formula and swaps out the engine for a battery. The Gen-E will feel reassuringly familiar to previous Puma owners helping to make the switch to electric as seamless as possible. Plus, the Puma Gen-E was one of the first cars to be eligible for the full £3,750 grant, so it’s an even more affordable package. In addition to an array of mod-cons and safety features the Puma Gen-E has a unique party trick in the form of a ‘Gigabox’ in the boot. This extra bit of storage is waterproof and even has a plug so you can hose it down for easy cleaning. Simple, yet very effective.

Find out more about the Ford Puma Gen-E here

6 | Cupra Born

7 | Citroën ë-C3

8 | Renault 4 E-Tech Electric

9 | Kia EV2

Kia makes some of our favourite electric cars including the EV3 to the VW ID.Buzz-rivalling PV5 Passenger which both receive the £1,500 ECG, however it’s the compact EV2 which makes this list. While models with the smaller battery are eligible for a £1,500, the Long Range EV2 receives the maximum £3,750 discount and we think this is the one to go for. This version combines an efficient use of space and stylish looks with a range of up to 280 miles which should be plenty for most people’s needs. Out on the road the EV2 is surprisingly grown-up to drive for a small car, and it comes with a decent amount of tech as standard, too. 

Find out more about the Kia EV2 here

10| Skoda Elroq