- Today marks one-year since the launch of the Government's
Electric Car Grant - a £2 billion scheme helping drivers up and
down the country save up to £3,750 off the cost of a new EV.
- In the past year alone, over 140,000 drivers have made the
switch, and demand for EVs is stronger than ever. March 2025
saw the highest EV sales volume on record, and sales are up 35%
compared to June last year (see here).
- We've made it easier and cheaper than ever before to own an
EV by tackling one of the biggest barriers to drivers going
electric: the upfront cost.
- Electric cars are now cheaper to buy, on average, than petrol
models for the first time, according to recent figures from
Autotrader.
- Savings of up to £1,400 are on offer for EV drivers who can
plug into cheaper chargers at home - a huge benefit, especially
against the backdrop of high and fluctuating prices at the
pumps as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
- The range of eligible models continues to grow with 58 models
now available with some of the UK's best loved brands to choose
from, including the Nissan Leaf, Ford Puma Gen-E and Skoda Elroq.
- The ECG is also giving a boost British manufacturing with
Nissan's new Leaf being built at its Sunderland plant by its
6,000 strong workforce. The LEAF qualifying for the grant will
help drive sales for the manufacturer, supporting jobs and growth
in the region and cementing the North East as one of
the UK's manufacturing strongholds.
- We're investing £7.5 billion to support the transition,
grow the market, boost EV manufacturing, increase sales
and expand the UK charging network.
- The UK's charging network is rapidly growing, with an extra
£600 million announced just last year to roll out even more,
building on the over 120,000 already
available; that's nearly twice as
many chargers as fuel pumps.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister said:
"In just one year, our Electric Car Grant has helped over 140,000
drivers save up to £3,750 on a new EV, and with nearly one in
three cars sold now electric and sales up 35%, demand is stronger
than ever and only going in one direction.
We've made it easier and cheaper than ever before to go
electric, and with savings of up to £1,400 on running costs
there's never been a better time to make the switch, especially
against the backdrop of global fuel price fluctuations.
RAC Head of Policy Simon said:
"The reintroduction of the Electric Car Grant is something we'd
been calling for, so it's great to see it making such a positive
difference to EV sales in its first year. The high upfront cost
of a new EV has long been the biggest obstacle in the way of
wider adoption. With 58 models now qualifying for the discount
drivers have more choice than ever at varying price points.
"And, of course, every new vehicle that comes on to the road will
at some point feed through to the second-hand market enabling
those drivers who don't buy new to go electric too."
CEO at Carwow Group John Veichmanis said:
"A year on, the direction of travel is clearly positive - our
data shows EVs now account for 34% of car-buying enquiries on
Carwow, up from 24% before the grant landed. Add in fuel prices
that remain volatile and the growing cost advantage of charging
at home, and it's easy to see why more drivers are making the
switch."
