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, which opened to applications from manufacturers last month with discounts of up to £3,750.

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.

The ECG allows manufacturers to offer point-of-sale discounts on EVs that meet high sustainability standards. While the grant initially offers £1,500 off, discounts of up to £3,750 will be available for future qualifying models.

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.