

The Electric Car Grant is new government funding designed to increase the uptake of electric cars over the next three years.
The new grant works alongside other existing subsidies for electric vans, trucks and motorcycles.
As policies have changed and the EV market has evolved, the grants available have been through a number of changes since the first support was introduced back in 2011.
Now in 2025, a £650 million Electric Car Grant has been introduced to make EVs more affordable.
Here’s a rundown of the current grants available for electric vehicles.
What is the Electric Car Grant and how can I claim it?
The Electric Car Grant (ECG) was launched in July 2025, offering up to £3,750 off new EVs priced at or under £37,000.
With 33 new electric cars now available for under £30,000, the grant will make owning an EV a reality for thousands of people.
The scheme is operated by manufacturers applying for their zero emissions cars to be part of the grant, with eligibility dependent on meeting manufacturing sustainability standards.
That means you’ll start seeing cars advertised with the discount imminently and there’s no admin for you to do to secure the grant.
The discount will range from £1,500 to £3,750, with the most environmentally friendly vehicles offering the top rate.
The funding, which officially starts from 16th July, totals £650 million and is available until the 2028 to 2029 financial year.
How is the Electric Car Grant different to the Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG)?
The ECG replaces the Plug-in Car Grant which was launched in 2011 and provided a discount of up to £5,000 on the purchase price of a new zero-emission car.
Over the next decade, the PiCG was gradually reduced from £5,000 to £1,500, while the vehicle eligibility criteria shrunk. And in June 2022, the government officially ended the grant.
The Plug-in Car Grant was designed to kickstart the UK’s electric car revolution and, in the eyes of many, the scheme was considered hugely successful. From less than 1,000 EVs registered in 2011, there are now hundreds of thousands registered each year.
What is the Plug-in Van Grant?
While the PiCG was ended, the Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG) was continued as the government continued to incentivise businesses to go green. The size of the Plug-in Van Grant is dependent on the size of the vehicle being purchased.
Small vans – those weighing less than 2,500kg, with CO2 emissions under 50g/km and with a range of at least 60 miles – are eligible for a discount of up to £2,500.
These include vans from mainstream brand such as Renault, Citroen, Vauxhall and Toyota, plus commercial vehicle specialists like Maxus.
For large vans – those weighing between 2,500kg and 4,250kg – the maximum discount is £5,000. Eligible vans include larger models from Ford, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, as well MAN, LDV and Maxus.
For a complete list of the latest visit the government portal.
Grants for electric wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs)
The Plug-in Van Grant extends to those passenger vehicles that have been converted into wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), with support increased in February 2025.
To be eligible, the vehicle must be converted from a passenger vehicle (sometimes known as a category M1 vehicle), be completely zero emissions with a range of at least 70 miles.
The list price of the vehicles must be less than £50,000 (not including the cost of the conversion) and is applied for by the manufacturer.
Taxi drivers are also supported to make the switch to electric with £4,000 available to buy an iconic zero emission black cab amongst other models, making journeys cleaner and more comfortable for passengers.
What about grants for electric trucks?
Some trucks can be sold with a 20% discount and, just like vans, the total is dependent on size.
Small trucks, which weigh between 4,250kg and 12,000kg and have an EV range of at least 60 miles, are eligible for up to £16,000 off. For larger trucks, those over 12,000kg and often referred to as N3 vehicles, the grant is up to £25,000.
Are electric motorcycles eligible for a grant?
Although rarer than electric cars and vans, plug-in motorcycles are also eligible for a grant discount of up to £500. To qualify it must be completely emission-free, capable of at least 31 miles between charges and have a list price of less than £10,000.
Similarly, electric mopeds are eligible for a discount of up to £150. Mopeds must be zero-emission, have a range of 19 miles and a price under £10,000.