Overview
- MINI Countryman, Renault 4, Renault 5 and Alpine A290 now qualify for the maximum £3,750 Electric Car Grant, taking the top band to eight models.
- Since the grant launched in July, more than 40,000 drivers have used it, with September and October seeing about one in four new UK car sales as electric.
- The Autumn Budget committed an extra £1.5 billion, with £1.3 billion to extend and expand the grant and £200 million to accelerate chargepoint deployment.
- Renault and Alpine introduced '+’ variants that qualify for the top grant when fitted with the 52kWh battery produced at Douai, with grant-inclusive prices such as Renault 5 techno+ at £23,945 and Alpine A290+ from £30,245.
- Alpine says interest in the A290 has surged and plans to begin UK deliveries early next year, while the government is also reviewing public charging costs and easing installation rules.