Two Ford electric vehicles (EV) have received the £3,750 Electric Car Grant discount from the UK Government, the first time the full discount has been applied.
The Ford Puma Gen-E and Ford e-Tourneo Courier received the discount, bringing the total list of current eligible vehicles in the UK to 28.
It came as it was also announced that two Peugeots, the E-308 and E-408 and two DS cars, the DS3 and No.4, would receive the lower grant of £1,500.
The UK Government said the level of the grant would be decided by the sustainability in the production process of the vehicles, with those who are manufactured to the highest standards receiving the biggest discount.
Ford has ambitious sustainability goals, with the aim to be carbon neutral by 2035 across its European manufacturing operations. It currently uses renewable energy across its manufacturing in the UK and Europe, including solar panel installations, as well as zero waste to landfill.
The news also came as recent Autotrader data shows the ECG is driving growth across the sector, with eligible car models seeing up to an 80% increase in interest.
More models are expected to be approved in the coming weeks, the government said, as manufacturers’ applications are assessed against the scheme’s sustainability standards – ensuring “only the cleanest cars are eligible”, it added.
Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), said:
“Franchised dealers are EV ready, but the perception that EVs do not yet offer value for money has slowed sales.
“The inclusion of the Ford Puma Gen-E and e-Tourneo Courier at the maximum £3,750 discount is a significant step in helping more drivers make the switch.”
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:
“We’re putting money back in people’s pockets and making it easier and cheaper for families to make the switch to electric, by delivering discounts of up to £3,750 on EVs.
“In total, the government is investing over £4.5 billion to turbocharge the switch to EVs for both industry and consumers, securing the UK’s position as a world-leader in EV adoption – with Britain Europe’s largest EV market in 2024 and sales up almost a third so far this year.”
Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair and Managing Director, said:
“We welcome the government’s decision to accelerate the transition to electric mobility and are proud that Ford’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised with the full EV grant.”
Nicola Dobson, Managing Director at Peugeot UK, said:
“With 6 of our all-electric models now confirmed for the Electric Car Grant, Peugeot is proud to give customers more opportunities to benefit from lower upfront costs and greater choice.
“This government support is welcome to help make the switch to electric more accessible and give consumers greater confidence to choose the electric Peugeot that best fits their lifestyle, while driving forward the UK’s transition to cleaner mobility.”
Jules Tilstone, Managing Director, DS Automobiles UK said:
“We are delighted DS3 and DS Nº4 models have been included in the UK Electric Car Grant. We welcome the support which makes premium electric mobility more accessible to a wide range of drivers.
“As we continue to expand our electrified range, we remain focused on supporting the UK’s transition to sustainable mobility.”
Edmund King, AA President, said:
“Drivers frequently tell us that the upfront costs of new EVs are a stumbling block to making the switch to electric.
“It is great to see some of these more substantial £3,750 discounts coming online because for some drivers, this might just bridge the financial gap to make these cars affordable.
“As more cars qualify for the biggest savings, more drivers will be tempted to go electric.”
Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Autotrader, said:
“The Electric Car Grant prompted the highest uptick in consumer demand for EVs in 3 years on Autotrader, and interest in cars priced below £37,000 almost doubled.
“Half of consumers say price is the biggest barrier to going electric, so it’s fantastic to see the first tranche of models qualify for the full £3,750 grant.
“With additional money off from both the industry, which has launched additional offers and grants and government, annual running costs savings of up to £1,500 and 9 in 10 EV drivers saying they wouldn’t go back, now’s a great time to consider going electric.”
Image courtesy of Ford
