The Government has confirmed that Citroen’s upcoming E-C5 Aircross qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant. The French manufacturer becomes only the second brand to secure maximum grant eligibility for one of its models.
The E-C5 Aircross joins just two other vehicles in the top grant tier. A total of 38 new cars qualify for government support, but 29 receive only the reduced £1,500 band 2 allowance.
Citroen hasn’t announced pricing yet – but the SUV must start under £37,000 to maintain grant eligibility. Only models priced up to £42,000 qualify for any government support.
Range and Market Position
The E-C5 Aircross claims a 422-mile range on a single charge. When it arrives in coming weeks, it’ll rank among the longest-range EVs available in the UK.
It’s expected to significantly undercut other 400-mile+ models on price.
Greg Taylor, managing director of Citroën UK, emphasized the company’s accessibility focus:
“It’s really important to us at Citroën that the transition to electrification is made as accessible as possible and we price all of our vehicles accordingly.”
He added that the E-C5 Aircross represents the first vehicle of its size and type to receive the full grant.
Grant Structure and Competition
The Electric Car Grant operates on two tiers. Eligibility depends on technical and sustainability criteria covering production methods and environmental impact.
Currently, only the Ford Puma Gen-E and Ford E-Tourneo Courier qualify for the higher grant tier. Both use powertrains manufactured in the UK.
Nissan expects its Sunderland-built Leaf to qualify for the full £3,750 grant, though official confirmation remains pending.
The grant structure reflects the government’s push toward domestic EV production and sustainable manufacturing practices. Citroen’s success in securing top-tier eligibility demonstrates that imported vehicles can meet the stringent criteria.
