Four Citroën models have been confirmed as the first electric vehicles (EV) eligible for the UK Government’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG).
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the £1,500 discount will be available on the Citroën ë-C3, ë–C4, ë-C5 and the ë-Berlingo.
The discount will be automatically applied in the purchase of the vehicle and customers do not need to complete any paperwork.
The 4 models are the first to be approved for the discounts under the government’s new £650 million ECG scheme, with more models to approved “in the coming days and weeks”, the UK Government said.
The move follows a number of vehicle manufacturers applying their own ‘grants’ to vehicles ahead of the official announcement around eligibility.
The UK Government said it was “working closely with the industry to make the discounts available to drivers quickly”, with new guidance published by the Department for Transport to help manufacturers apply as easily as possible.
Transport Secretary Heidi 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.
“Once again we’re delivering our Plan for Change by standing firmly on the side of motorists and manufacturers, driving down costs for consumers, supporting jobs and putting money back in people’s pockets.”
Greg Taylor, Managing Director, Citroën UK, said:
“We welcome the support of the Electric Car Grant and are delighted to be the first to have our electric range, including the New ë-C3, New ë-C4, New ë -C5 Aircross and ë-Berlingo, approved and eligible. At Citroën we want everyone to have the opportunity to make the switch to an electric car and this support will help make our cars more accessible for our customers.”
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.”
Image courtesy of Citroen
