Electric car grants are back! Cheapest, greenest EVs to be discounted by £3,750
And only cars costing less than £37k will qualify. So you won't be funding next door's new Tesla… Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
The weekend rumours were true: the government has announced a new Electric Car Grant, which will see up to £3,750 knocked off the price of a new EV costing less than £37,000.
But rather than a blanket discount, cars that qualify will be split into two bands: those with the lowest CO2 manufacturing footprint will get the full amount, but above a certain threshold the subsidy will be lowered to £1,500.
Advertisement - Page continues below
The Department for Transport hasn't, er, actually said what those thresholds are. Anyway.
The ECG (not to be confused with an electrocardiogram) will be in place until the 2028/29 financial year, although if demand is strong enough the £650m pot could run dry before then. You might like
Unlike the previous Plug-In Car Grant – which was killed off in 2022 – it's car manufacturers and not customers who will be in charge of applying for the new grant.
Carmakers can apply from tomorrow (July 16), so you could start seeing lower prices within weeks. Or possibly even earlier than that if a manufacturer is really confident that its paperwork will be rubber stamped.
Advertisement - Page continues below
'This EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money – it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century,' said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
'And with over 82,000 public chargepoints now available across the UK, we've built the infrastructure families need to make the switch with confidence.'
A cynic might suggest that if that last bit were true, the government wouldn't have announced more funding for home charging solutions just two days ago.
Anyway, news of the Electric Car Grant has been pretty universally welcomed within the industry. Mikes Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT said the move is 'a clear signal to consumers that now is the time to switch', while Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK has called it 'brilliant news for drivers and for the UK's transition to electric vehicles'.
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox.
Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
READ MORE Are electric car grants about to make an Oasis-style comeback?
And Adam Wood, MD at Renault UK, said: 'These incentives are extremely welcome, and a much-needed signal that government is ready to put tangible action behind the ambitious plans for the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) that it has outlined.'
Will the money off tempt you to go electric, or are you staunchly sticking to ICE until the arctic has vanished?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
Exmouth homes approved amid sewage capacity concerns
Initial plans for a housing development in Devon have been approved by council planners despite concerns being raise about sewage network scheme would see 75 homes built in Exmouth, on land to the north east of King's Garden and Leisure Centre on Hulham councillors raised concerns about the ability of the sewage network to cope with the number of homes despite reassurances from South West Water (SWW).East Devon District Council planning committee approved the outline scheme at a meeting on Tuesday but included a condition that sewage capacity was proven before homes were occupied. SWW told the committee it had conducted a thorough assessment of the sewage network, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Geoff Jung said he was concerned after the company said the system "should" be able to cope with the development. "I'm worried because they have only looked at the first 260m (about 850ft) of pipes from the development, yet there are another three miles (4.8km) of network," he said. 'Investing millions' Councillor MIke Howe said there was "no faith" in SWW."With all the facts we know about Exmouth and sewage overflows into the sea in particular, that have been increasing year over year, how can we stand with the SWW response that putting more sewage into a system won't increase overflows?" he asked. Ed Freeman, the assistant director for planning at the council, said he could "understand member concerns and lack of trust in SWW".However, he said: "We don't have contradictory evidence to their evidence, and the company is investing millions of pounds in the town. "We have also been conducting a water cycle study and it shows there is some capacity at the Maer Lane treatment works, so we don't have reason to question SWW."The committee voted in favour to approve the scheme, but attached a condition to include proof to be presented to the council that drainage is developer will now have to submit a more detailed application, which will include aspects like the exact number of homes, their design and layout on the site.
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Decision on Stockton market's future set to be put on hold
A decision on the fate of a market hall could be delayed after pressure from concerned business owners and at Stockton Shambles said having to move could mean "the end of the road" after they were notified that Stockton Council's cabinet was due to vote on proposals to market the hall as a "food and beverage opportunity".Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West, raised the issue in the Commons on Tuesday claiming it was an "absolute disgrace".Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration, said he would recommend the decision on Thursday be delayed until "thorough engagement" had taken place. Vickers said the council's proposal was "a shameful betrayal" of hard-working businesses who had kept the high street alive, according to the Local Democracy Reporting service."To be told out of the blue that they are being thrown out of their premises, with barely a day's notice of the meeting, is an absolute disgrace," he said. 'Unclear future' Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, has also written to council leader Lisa Evans, requesting a "pause and review". He said the issue had "rightly" become emotive, with a "significant" toll on business owners."These are businesses who've served our town loyally through tough years," he said."Many of them feel anxious about what comes next and, in several cases, unclear on whether they have any real future in the town centre at all."The proposal was set to be considered with a raft of other plans for the town and the council said it remained committed to the regeneration of the authority added that it would provide "tailored support" to the six affected traders to explore relocation options and help develop their business said: "We appreciate the uncertainty that the businesses will be feeling at the moment but we want to reassure them that there is plenty of time for us to work constructively together and help them develop plans for the future." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
The smarter vehicle tech that's keeping British fleets safer on the road
Brigade Electronics is a Business Reporter client In an age of expanding cities and increasing delivery demands, keeping people safe around commercial vehicles has become a vital concern. A British company, Brigade Electronics, is at the forefront of efforts to reduce risks through practical technology that supports drivers and empowers safer decisions on the road. From its headquarters in Kent, Brigade has spent nearly 50 years improving commercial vehicle safety. What began with a reversing alarm inspired by one spotted in Tokyo in 1976 has grown into a global operation, employing more than 300 people and selling products in over 80 countries. Brigade's mission is rooted in a belief that safety is everyone's responsibility – and that positive outcomes come from aligning the best of human judgment with the right technology. 'Technology alone can't make roads safe,' says Managing Director Philip Hanson-Abbott. 'But it can help people make safer choices. The goal is to support the skill and judgement of drivers and fleet managers.' Vision Zero: a shared ambition Brigade's work contributes to Vision Zero, the global initiative working towards a future with no serious injuries or fatalities involving vehicles. It's an ambitious goal – but one Brigade sees as achievable with the right tools and attitudes in place. 'Vision Zero is about collaboration,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'We all have a part to play – from drivers and operators to fleet managers and councils. Our job is to make sure people have the information and confidence they need to act safely.' Brigade's products are designed to address real-world risks, such as blind spots around large vehicles or moments of distraction during long shifts. Its camera and sensor systems give drivers better visibility and timely warnings, helping them manoeuvre with more confidence and less stress, especially in busy urban environments. Smart tools, not just smart tech Recent advances in artificial intelligence have enabled Brigade to take a leap forward. Older sensor systems often triggered false alerts – treating a lamp post the same as a cyclist, for example. Over time, this could overwhelm drivers and lead to warning fatigue. AI systems now provide targeted alerts only when there's a meaningful risk. A cyclist in a blind spot triggers a visual warning; audible alarms only sound if a collision seems imminent. It's a more focused, less stressful experience for drivers – and one that enhances their awareness, rather than distracts from it. The same approach powers Brigade's driver fatigue and distraction monitoring. Cameras track signs of inattention and deliver alerts when needed. These tools aren't about surveillance – they're there to help drivers stay sharp and supported. 'Drivers carry a huge responsibility,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'We're not here to take over – we're here to give them the tools to do their jobs as safely and effectively as possible.' Insights that prevent, not just report Brigade's technology offers fleet managers a more proactive role in safety. Its video telematics and multi-camera systems deliver real-time data and video insight – not only recording what happened but helping to prevent it altogether. By analysing trends, behaviours and near misses, managers can address issues early, tailor driver support and improve fleet efficiency across the board. Brigade is investing heavily in an upgraded telematics platform, positioning it as a core component of its future offering and long-term growth strategy. Built on a tradition of innovation Brigade's influence stretches well beyond its own products. Many of the technologies it developed decades ago – such as blind spot detection systems and rear-view cameras – have now been mandated across the EU for all new vehicles. The team sees this not as an endpoint, but as encouragement to keep moving forward. 'We've always had followers, but we focus on leading,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'By innovating continually, we move the conversation forward and help shape the standards of tomorrow.' The company's achievements in international growth have earned it both the Queen's Award and the King's Award for Enterprise – recognition, Hanson-Abbott says, of the team's hard work and its commitment to improving safety, globally. A safer road ahead As talk of self-driving vehicles grows louder, Brigade remains grounded. Full autonomy in open environments may be years if not decades away. In the meantime, practical, intelligent solutions can make a meaningful difference now. 'Safety is about more than technology,' says Hanson-Abbott. 'It's about people – drivers, families, pedestrians. Our systems don't replace responsibility; they reinforce it. And if we all take steps together, we really can move towards a future where everyone feels safer around commercial vehicles.'
