Drivers can enjoy £3,750 on two new Ford electric vehicles starting today, as Ford Pumagen-E and Ford e-Tonan Courier, and four other models will be eligible for the UK government’s electric vehicle subsidy.
Six new eligible models have reached 28 total vehicles available under the Electric Vehicle Grant (ECG).
The Ford model is the first to offer the biggest savings, and 28 electric vehicles are currently eligible to receive a grant of £3,750 or £1,500.
With the latest addition, part of the government’s £650 million plan is part of the plan to make owning an EV cheaper and easier than ever.
Electric Vehicle Subsidies are driving sector growth
The electric vehicle grant will boost the UK’s automotive industry, a key sector identified in the UK’s latest industrial strategy. It supports 133,000 jobs in the UK and another 320,000 jobs in the wider economy.
Recent Autotrader data shows that ECG is driving growth across the sector, so eligible car models are increasing interest by up to 80%.
In total, the government has invested more than £4.5 billion to turbocharge both industrial and consumer switch to EVS, securing its UK status as a global leader in EV adoption.
Furthermore, the UK is set to become Europe’s largest EV market in 2024, with sales up almost a third so far this year.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander commented: “Our measures are driving competition in the UK EV market, boosting economic growth and supporting jobs and skills as part of their change plan.”
Which EV models participated in the scheme?
The new models to participate in the electric vehicle grant include:
Ford Puma Gen-E – £3,750 Discount Ford E-Tourneo Courier – £3,750 Discount Peugeot E-308 – 1,500 £1,500 Discount Peugeot E-408 – £1,500 Discount DS 3 – £1,500 DSNº4 – £1,500 Discount
It is expected that more models will be approved in the coming weeks as manufacturers’ applications will be assessed against the sustainability criteria of the ECG scheme and ensure that only the cleanest cars are eligible.
“We are pleased to announce that for the sake of our efforts,” said Risa Santorikin, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford UK.
Nicola Dobson, managing director of Peugeot UK, added: “With six all-electric models confirmed for electric vehicle subsidies, Peugeot is proud to increase the opportunities for customers to benefit from lower pre-costs and greater choices.
“From the popular E-208 to the capacity e-lifters, and now the E-308 and E-408, we have one of the broadest electric lineups on the market.”
Targeting barriers to widespread adoption of EVs
Electric vehicle subsidies target one of the main barriers to consumers switching to electric vehicles, and people often cite advance costs as a barrier.
The discount is designed to lower prices, so it closely matches comparable petrol and diesel vehicles.
The government also supplies trust in the UK’s charging network, with over 83,000 public charging devices currently available, with over 100,000 more from the government’s £381 million local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) fund.
In further bids to cut costs and encourage people to make the switch, the government announced a £63 million billing package in July. This means that EV owners without driveways can charge their EVs at just 2p per mile.
Ian Plummer, commercial director at Autotrader, concluded: “The electric vehicle subsidies have driven the top speed of consumer demand for EVs over three years with Autotrader, almost doubled interest in cars priced below £37,000.
“Half of consumers say price is the biggest barrier to getting to electricity, so it’s great to see the model’s first tranches qualify for a full £3,750 grant.”
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