Citroen’s electric range approved for £1,500 discount under new government grant

Car buyers can now save £1,500 on four Citroën all-electric models, as the government confirms the first vehicles eligible under the new £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme.

Discounts will be automatically applied to the Citroën ë-C3, ë–C4, ë-C5 Aircross and ë-Berlingo, with no paperwork required from buyers. More models are expected to be approved in the coming weeks.

The initiative is part of the government’s wider £4.5 billion investment plan to make EV ownership more affordable and opened to applications from manufacturers last month with discounts of up to £3,750.

Electric vehicles in the greenest band will be eligible for grants of up to £3,750, while those in the second band can receive up to £1,500 under the new scheme.

To qualify, manufacturers must have a verified science-based target (SBT) in place and ensure their vehicles meet specific carbon limits. Vehicles from brands without an approved SBT will not be eligible for the scheme.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) estimates that around one-third of electric cars currently on sale will meet the criteria. The government said it is working closely with the industry to make the discounts available to drivers quickly, with new guidance published by the transport ministry to help manufacturers apply as easily as possible.

Greg Taylor, managing director of Citroën UK, welcomed the announcement: “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.”

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: "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 standing firmly on the side of motorists and manufacturers, driving down costs and supporting jobs."

The ECG forms part of the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which requires carmakers to ramp up the share of zero-emission vehicles sold each year.