Government grants

Plug-in Car Grant UK: What Replaced It and How to Get Up to £3,750 Off in 2026

The original Plug-in Car Grant no longer exists for cars. It was replaced by the Electric Car Grant in 2025, which offers up to £3,750 off a new eligible EV priced at £37,000 or under — with no application needed from the buyer.

Key Takeaways

  • The original Plug-in Car Grant was scrapped for cars in September 2022; the Electric Car Grant relaunched in 2025.
  • Band 1 cars receive up to £3,750 off; Band 2 cars receive up to £1,500 off.
  • Only new electric cars priced at £37,000 or under are eligible.
  • You do not need to apply — the discount is deducted automatically at the dealer.
  • The eligible car list changes regularly; always confirm on GOV.UK before buying.

What happened to the Plug-in Car Grant?

The original Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) was introduced in 2011 to encourage uptake of low-emission vehicles. It initially offered up to £5,000 off eligible EVs. Over the following decade, the government reduced the grant amount several times as EV adoption grew and list prices fell.

In September 2022, the government scrapped the Plug-in Car Grant entirely for passenger cars.

The Electric Car Grant relaunched in 2025 with a different structure: two discount bands based on the sustainability credentials of the vehicle manufacturer rather than a flat amount. The 2025 Autumn Budget committed £1.3 billion in funding, and the scheme is confirmed to run until at least 31 March 2029 — figures vary, so verify current data before purchasing.

How much is the Electric Car Grant in 2026?

The grant operates across two bands. The band a car falls into is determined by the manufacturer's environmental credentials, assessed annually. It is not something the buyer chooses.

Band 1 Band 2
Maximum discount £3,750 £1,500
Sustainability requirement Verified Science Based Target (SBT) or TPI Level 4+ assessment ISO 14001 or equivalent; transparent carbon reporting; formal renewable energy commitments
Example manufacturers Ford, Nissan, Renault, MINI Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, Toyota, Vauxhall

The car's recommended retail price must be £37,000 or under, inclusive of VAT, before any other discounts. The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) assesses technical criteria and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) assesses environmental criteria for each model.

Which cars qualify for the Electric Car Grant?

Every eligible car must meet the following technical requirements, regardless of band:

  • Zero tailpipe CO2 emissions
  • Minimum 100-mile battery range
  • 3-year or 60,000-mile vehicle warranty (whichever comes first)
  • 8-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty (whichever comes first)
  • Listed on the OZEV-approved vehicle register

Band 1 eligible cars (as at May 2026)

The following ten models currently qualify for the maximum £3,750 discount:

  • Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range
  • Ford E-Tourneo Courier
  • Ford Puma Gen-E
  • MINI Countryman Electric
  • Nissan LEAF
  • Nissan Micra (52 kWh)
  • Renault 4
  • Renault 5 (52 kWh)
  • Renault Alpine A290
  • Renault Scenic

This list is updated regularly by OZEV. Confirm on GOV.UK before purchasing.

Band 2 eligible cars

Over 35 models qualify for the £1,500 discount, from manufacturers including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Cupra, DS, Fiat, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen.

This list is updated regularly. Confirm on GOV.UK before purchasing.

How do you claim the Electric Car Grant?

You do not need to take any action to claim the grant. The process is handled entirely by the dealer or manufacturer.

  1. Confirm the car you want is on the OZEV eligible vehicle list and priced under £37,000.
  2. Purchase the car from an authorised dealer — no separate application is needed.
  3. The dealer applies to OZEV via an online portal on your behalf.
  4. The grant is deducted from the vehicle price at the point of sale — you pay the reduced price.

If a dealer does not apply the discount on an eligible car, ask them to check the vehicle's eligibility via the OZEV portal. The grant is applied automatically on eligible models by most franchised dealers, but it is worth confirming before signing any paperwork.

Are there any other plug-in vehicle grants?

Plug-in Van Grant

A separate Plug-in Van Grant offers up to £2,500 off vans with a gross vehicle weight under 2.5 tonnes. Eligible vans must have CO2 emissions under 50g/km and a minimum range of 60 miles on a single charge. Both fully electric and plug-in hybrid vans can qualify.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Grant

A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle grant is available for cars converted to WAVs, provided the vehicle has a recommended retail price below £50,000. This is administered separately from the Electric Car Grant.

Home Charger Grant

If you are buying an EV, you may also be eligible for up to £500 towards a home charging point. See our guide to the EV charger grant UK for full eligibility details, including who can and cannot claim in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the plug-in car grant still available in 2026?

The original Plug-in Car Grant for passenger cars was cancelled in September 2022 and is no longer available. However, the Electric Car Grant relaunched in 2025 and offers up to £3,750 off eligible new EVs priced under £37,000. The scheme is confirmed to run until at least 31 March 2029, though figures vary — verify current data on GOV.UK before purchasing.

Which cars are eligible for the Electric Car Grant?

Only battery electric vehicles producing zero tailpipe CO2 with a minimum 100-mile range and priced at £37,000 or under are eligible. Cars are assessed as Band 1 (£3,750) or Band 2 (£1,500) based on the manufacturer's sustainability credentials, assessed annually by OZEV. Check the current list on GOV.UK before purchasing, as it is updated regularly.

How do I get the Electric Car Grant discount?

No action is needed from you. The dealership or manufacturer applies on your behalf and deducts the grant from the vehicle price at the point of sale. Simply verify the car appears on the OZEV eligible vehicle list and is priced under £37,000 before agreeing to purchase.

Can I get the Electric Car Grant on a used car?

No. The Electric Car Grant applies only to new vehicles. There is no equivalent government grant for used EV purchases in 2026, though rising new-car grant availability has contributed to lower used EV prices across the market.

What is the price limit for the Electric Car Grant?

The car's recommended retail price must be £37,000 or under, inclusive of VAT, before any other discounts are applied. If a model has multiple trim levels, only those priced at or below £37,000 qualify.

Comparing your options? See our full overview of UK electric car grants and incentives to understand every scheme available in 2026, from the Electric Car Grant to salary sacrifice.

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