Drivers will soon find out which electric vehicles (EVs) qualify for the government’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG).
Although 11 August has been mentioned as an important date, it’s only an internal milestone. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that buyers will be given a list of eligible EVs before that date, so they’ll know which models qualify for the discount in advance.
The DfT is processing applications as quickly as car makers submit them. An initial list of approved models is expected in early August, but more vehicles will be added later as further applications are reviewed. This means some buyers may need to wait a bit longer for the full list.
A DfT spokesperson said that dozens of EV models are expected to qualify, offering significant savings for drivers and boosting the car industry. The government has issued guidance to help manufacturers apply easily and wants to get discounts live as soon as possible.
At the moment, there are around 150 new electric cars on sale in the UK. However, to qualify for the grant, EVs must meet two key criteria:
- The price must be £37,000 or less
- The vehicle must meet strict environmental standards, including how sustainably the car and its battery are made
How much discount each model gets depends on how green it is. The top grant is £3,750, but some cars may only get £1,500.
There has been criticism of the rollout. Manufacturers were asked to apply without being told which vehicles would qualify, leading to frustration and delays. Some are still navigating complex rules and paperwork.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has voiced concern that excluding certain vehicles from the grant will make it harder for car brands to meet the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) sales targets. By 2026, 28% of cars and 16% of vans sold by each manufacturer must be electric.
The SMMT welcomed financial support in principle but warned that helping only some brands is not ideal. Reports suggest that Chinese and South Korean EVs may be left out of the scheme - potentially excluding affordable models from MG, BYD, and Kia.
In response, some Chinese brands have launched their own EV discounts. MG is offering £1,500 off two models, GWM has cut £3,750 off the Ora 03, and Leapmotor is offering between £1,500 and £3,750 off its UK models. BYD, however, has dismissed the grant entirely, calling it "too little, too late" and criticising it as damaging in the long run.
Despite this, the DfT has stressed that all vehicles are judged by the same criteria, regardless of where they are made. Officials say the goal is to reward cars that are truly sustainable, not just those with zero emissions from the exhaust.
The government has also said it aims to support local car manufacturing where possible, and industry experts believe that buyers will welcome the discounts once the full list of qualifying EVs is confirmed.
