Drivers could save up to £3,750 on new car under Government scheme | UK | News

December 12, 2025

Buying a car is undoubtedly costly – but drivers might not realise that a Government scheme could provide significant savings. Launched earlier this year, the Electric Car Grant (ECG) aims to make electric vehicles more accessible, with eligibility covering almost 40 different models.

Currently, the ECG programme functions through two main ‘bands’, with the overwhelming majority of qualifying vehicles (35) situated in Band 2. Therefore, cars including the Cupra Born, Nissan Micra and many others are entitled to a maximum discount of £1,500, which is subtracted at the point of final purchase.

A further four vehicles are categorised under Band 1 within the scheme and qualify for an even more substantial discount of up to £3,750. The Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range, the Ford E-Tourneo Courier, and the Ford Puma Gen-E all appear here, along with the Nissan LEAF, which was included on the list in November.

Starting from £32,249, the Nissan LEAF provides a driving range of up to 386 miles and can charge from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes. Production was scheduled to begin at Nissan’s Sunderland facility, employing its 6,000-strong workforce from December.

Following this announcement, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said last month: “Nissan helped pioneer early EV ownership through the original Leaf, so it is great to see them join our drive to make going electric cheaper and more accessible for families. Alongside saving drivers thousands, this news is also a big boost for manufacturing in the North East – supporting thousands of jobs in the region whilst backing the industry to grow and deliver our Plan for Change.”

To be eligible for the grant, vehicles must generally be M1 passenger cars, produce zero exhaust emissions, and offer a minimum battery range of 100 miles (160 km). They must also meet a ‘minimum sustainability criteria’ and various other Government requirements.

Motorists don’t need to submit a separate application for the grant, as the discount will be automatically reflected in the final purchase price.

The Nissan LEAF’s inclusion in the ECG scheme follows the success of over 35,000 drivers who have already utilised the grant to switch to electric vehicles since its launch in July. This latest development comes as electric vehicle ownership hits record levels, now accounting for one in four new car sales.

According to the Express, James Taylor, Nissan GB Managing Director, also said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to confirm LEAF’s pricing at £32,249 including the electric car grant, which will deliver an accessible route to EV ownership for our customers.

“This is fantastic news for people looking to switch to fully electric motoring as they now have the reassurance that comes from a car with up to 386 miles of range, all the tech they could want and the real-world benefits that come from Nissan’s 15 years of EV expertise. Best of all, it’s proudly built right here in the UK.”

Which vehicles qualify for the ECG scheme?

The ECG scheme covers a total of 39 vehicles—35 Band 2 models and four Band 1 models. Band 1 vehicles are eligible for discounts of up to £3,750, while Band 2 models can get discounts of up to £1,500.

The cars eligible for the scheme include: