Drivers could save up to £3,750 on new car under Government scheme | UK | News
Buying a car is undoubtedly costly; but motorists may not be aware that a Government scheme could deliver significant savings. The Electric Car Grant (ECG), launched earlier this year. Electric vehicles are more accessibleavailability covers almost 40 different models.
Currently, the ECG program operates through two main ‘bands’, with the majority of eligible instruments (35) falling within Band 2. So cars including the Cupra Born, Nissan Micra and many others are eligible for a maximum discount of £1,500, which is deducted at the final point of purchase.
A further four vehicles were classed as Group 1 under the scheme and were eligible for an even more significant discount of up to £3,750. Along with the Nissan LEAF, which was added to the list in November, Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range, Ford E-Tourneo Courier and Ford Puma Gen-E are included here.
Priced from £32,249, the Nissan LEAF provides a driving range of up to 386 miles and can charge from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes. Production planned to start at Nissan Sunderland The facility has been employing a 6,000-strong workforce since December.
Followed by announcementTransport Minister Heidi Alexander said last month: “Nissan pioneered electric vehicle ownership through the original Leaf, so it’s great to see them join our drive to make electricity cheaper and more accessible for families. As well as saving thousands of motorists, this news is also a huge boost for manufacturing in the North East, supporting thousands of jobs in the region whilst also supporting the industry to grow and deliver on our Plan for Change.”
To qualify for the grant, vehicles must generally be M1 passenger cars, produce zero tailpipe emissions, and offer a minimum battery range of 100 miles (160 km). They must also meet ‘minimum sustainability criteria’ and various other Government requirements.
Drivers do not need to make a separate application for the grant as the discount will be automatically reflected in the final purchase price.
The inclusion of the Nissan LEAF in the ECG program follows the success of more than 35,000 drivers switching from the grant to electric vehicles since its launch in July. This latest development comes as electric vehicle ownership has reached record levels and now accounts for one in four new car sales.
According to the Express, Nissan Great Britain Managing Director James Taylor also said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm the price of the LEAF at £32,249, including the electric car grant, which will offer our customers an accessible route into electric vehicle ownership.
“This is great news for people looking to go fully electric because they now have the reassurance of a car with a range of up to 386 miles, all the technology they could want and the real-world benefits that come from Nissan’s 15 years of EV expertise. Best of all, it’s proudly built right here in the UK.”
Which tools are suitable for the ECG plan?
The ECG scheme covers a total of 39 instruments; 35 Band 2 models and four Band 1 models. Band 1 vehicles can benefit from discounts of up to £3,750, while Band 2 models can benefit from discounts of up to £1,500.
Cars eligible for the program are as follows:
Group 1 cars
- Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range
- Ford E-Tourneo Courier
- Ford Puma Gen-E
- Nissan LEAF
Group 2 Cars
- Citroën ë-C3, Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
- Citroën ë-C4 and Citroën ë-C4
- Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
- Citroën ë-Berlingo
- Citroën ë-SpaceTourer
- Birth of Cupra
- DSDS3
- DS N°4
- MINI Countryside Electric
- Nissan Ariya
- Nissan Micra
- Peugeot E-208
- Peugeot E-2008
- Peugeot E-308
- Peugeot E-408
- Peugeot E-Rifter
- Peugeot E-Traveller
- Renault4
- Renault5
- Renault Alpine A290
- Renault Megane
- Renault Landscape
- Skoda Elroq
- Skoda Enyaq
- Toyota Proace City Verso
- Vauxhall Astra Electric
- Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric
- Vauxhall Frontera Electric
- Vauxhall Grandland Electric
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Volkswagen ID.5
More information available at GOV.UK.
