The best electric cars eligible for the £3,750 grant
The £650 million scheme has its limitations, however. It applies only to new cars with a list price of less than £37,000. This means that it does not cover all manufacturers: BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Audi, Polestar and Tesla do not sell vehicles below £37,000.
Registration for the scheme opened last Wednesday. So far, the grant has brought 'chaos and confusion' as car dealers said they had been left fielding calls from potential buyers but had no information.
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Qualifying vehicles fall into two bands based on the manufacturer's sustainability efforts and production emissions. Greener band 1 vehicles qualify for the full £3,750 discount and buyers of band 2 vehicles get up to £1,500 off. Manufacturers must apply for their vehicles to be part of the grant scheme, then they will find out which band their cars fall into.
Sustainability stipulations and warranty conditions rule out Chinese-assembled vehicles, although the Chinese companies MG, GWM UK and Leapmotor have announced their own discounts in line with the electric car grant bands.Drivers should be mindful about upgrading to the next trim level or adding other options because the increase in price could tip could tip them over £37,000.With improvements in battery longevity and heavy depreciation, second-hand electric cars are increasingly popular and may still prove more cost-effective than a new car with a grant. But if you're keen to take advantage of the scheme, here are five of the best qualifying vehicles.
With one of the best range-to-cost ratios, the Renault Scenic E-Tech is designed to make long journeys easier. In the real world 381 miles might be ambitious but owners should expect more than 300 miles per charge and compatible rapid chargers can take the Scenic's battery from 15 per cent to 80 per cent in 37 minutes.
Driving range is preserved by an efficient heat pump that controls cabin temperature, and the Renault app helps drivers to check range and plan charges en route. It has extensive safety features and driver aids, and the 12-inch Google-based touchscreen has apps such as Waze and Amazon Music built in.Pros Goes far for the moneyCons Could be more fun to drive
The Vauxhall Grandland Electric offers excellent battery range and space for the money, easily accommodating bulky baby car seats, gigantic teenagers and associated kit.
It's a decent-looking large family SUV that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control. While it may not be the nippiest or most exciting car on the road, the interior is comfortable and there's 550 litres of space in the boot.Pros Spacious insideCons Feels underpowered
The Citroen E-C3 is a characterful little city car that can handle the occasional longer jaunt with an advertised range of 199 miles. Its front seats and steering wheel can be heated, and you get all the required safety features such as active lane departure warning. The 44kWh battery charges from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in 26 minutes at a fast public charger.
The infotainment system is accessed via the 10.25-inch touchscreen display, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It has a playfully chunky design and a higher driving position, and the compact interior is clean and stylish.Pros AffordabilityCons Some cheap materials inside
Any sceptics who complain that electric cars take the fun out of driving should climb behind the wheel of an Alpine A290. Based on the Renault 5, with more performance and sportier handling, it's a proper little electric hot hatch, zipping from 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds.
The 220hp maximum power, 300 NM maximum torque and overtake button are complemented by muscular lines, rally-style lighting and a Formula 1-inspired steering wheel.
With a range of up to 226 miles, five doors, five seats and 326 litres of boot space, it can handle errands as well as bringing the fun.Pros Engaging handlingCons The Renault 5 is a lot cheaper and almost as fun
For an electric car that turns heads at a decent price, the Mini Cooper SE is hard to beat. It has a sleek, minimalist exterior, 16 to 18-inch alloys, panoramic sunroof, and stylish interior. The distinctive circular interactive display comes with a cutesy digital companion, while the upholstery is leather-free and recycled.
Billed as bringing a 'go-kart feeling', the Mini Cooper SE's low centre of gravity makes it enjoyable to sling around corners, taking on city driving and longer trips with comprehensive safety and driver assist features. It can charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.Pros Desirable stylingCons Not the best value
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