First EV car models approved for £1,500 discount

05/08/2025 | GEORGE BARKER

First EV car models approved for £1,500 discount

The first four models approved for a £1,500 discount from the Department for Transport (DfT)’s Electric Car Grant have been announced.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has announced today that four models from French car manufacturer Citroën – the ë-C3, ë–C4, ë-C5 and the ë-Berlingo – are now eligible for the band 2 discount of £1,500 knocked off their price tag.

According to the DfT, for a car to be deemed eligible for the scheme, it must first meet ‘the highest manufacturing sustainability standards’. This includes being an M1 passenger vehicle, producing 0gCO2/km at the tailpipe, having a minimum battery range of 100 miles (160km), an 8-year warranty and meeting minimum sustainability criteria.

As it stands, no car models have been deemed eligible for the band 1 discount, which will see £3,750 removed from the total cost of the vehicle.

Ms Alexander said: ‘With the first four models approved today and more to come over the next few weeks, this summer we’re making owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.’

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘It’s great to see the first qualifying models announced for the Government’s new Electric Car Grant.

'Not only does this mean more drivers will benefit from the lower cost of running an electric vehicle, but it’s hopefully the sign of more to come from other manufacturers in the weeks ahead. With nearly 1.6 million battery electric vehicles on the road already, it’s a real boost for the switch to electric.’

The ECG is funded by £650m from the Department for Transport (DfT) and accessed by manufacturers for EVs priced at or under £37,000.

When asked by Highways how the Government intended to ensure that customers benefited from the discount, the DfT stated that the dealer will be required to put the full amount of the grant on the invoice so that the customer can clearly see that the discount has been applied.

Image credit: ZayacSK / Shutterstock.com

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Engineer External Contracts

Grade 11 £39,865 - 43,270 per annum
You will lead a team of Clerks of Works Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Technician - Clerk of Works

Grade 9 £32,347 - 34,317 per annum
You will supervise works on site and liaise with developers, contractors and internal teams Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Director of Transport

£103,292 - £114,280
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Hire Desk Operative

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Well-developed IT skills and an excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite are required. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver - WMF2214e

£28,598 - £29,540
Applicants must hold a current full LGV Class C driving licence Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (2 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,989 - £26,458 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker/Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for roadworker/drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Engineer - Public Realm

£28,624 - £36,124
We are looking for a Senior Engineer to support the development Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Mobile Cleansing Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
We’re seeking a permanent Mobile Street Cleansing Operative to join our dedicated team serving a variety of urban and rural locations Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for experienced Roadworker/LGV Drivers High Peak, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer - Hosting and Security

£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within our Hosting and Security Team for an experienced, enthusiastic, and flexible Engineer, with the aim of helping to ensure t Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Senior Engineer - Highways Safety

£28,624 - £36,124
Senior Engineer - Highways Safety Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

HGV & Municipal Vehicle Technician

Scale 5 (scp 16-19) £30,518 to £32,061 pa
An LGV category C driving licence is an essential requirement, as is a National Craft Certificate Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recruiter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Head of Parking

£86,274 - £89,667
Our borough is beginning a huge transformation. Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure

£115,958 - £120,407
Dumfries and Galloway Council is ambitious for our region. Dumfries and Galloway
Recruiter: Dumfries & Galloway Council

Senior Highway Technician - Senior Inspector CDC

Grade 7 - £28,132 - £30,914
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Highway Technician Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Technician - Highway Inspector CDC

Grade 6 - £25,981 - £26,815
We are currently recruiting for a Highway Technician to work primarily as a member of a team Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £49,178 - £52,937 per annum
Shape the Future of Highways
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Mechanic Vehicle & Plant Craftperson

£32,061 to £34,434 Grade 7 and £35,412 to 38,220, Grade 8.
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council's Transport Services for seven Mechanic Vehicle & Plant Craft Persons Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW