Ford has announced that two of its electric models have become the first vehicles to qualify for the maximum £3,750 discount under the government’s Electric Car Grant scheme.
The Puma Gen-E and E-Tourneo Courier both received approval for the full band 1 grant – designed to accelerate EV adoption across the UK.
With the grant applied, the Puma Gen-E now starts at £26,245. This brings Ford’s electric crossover closer to competitors like the £24,495 Renault 4 and £22,495 Vauxhall Frontera.
The E-Tourneo Courier – essentially a passenger version of Ford’s compact electric van – drops to £29,940 after the discount.
That pricing undercuts rivals including the Vauxhall Combo Life and Peugeot E-Rifter, which both cost just under £31,000 even with their smaller £1,500 band 2 grants.
Lisa Brankin, Ford UK chair and managing director, welcomed the development.
“We welcome the government’s decision to accelerate the transition to electric mobility and are proud that Ford’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised with the full EV grant.”
Six Models Added to Grant Scheme
The two Ford models joined four other vehicles recently added to the Electric Car Grant eligibility list. However, they’re the only ones qualifying for the maximum discount.
The Peugeot E-308 and E-408, plus the DS 3 and DS No.4, all received approval but only for the smaller £1,500 band 2 grant.
Government officials say grant banding depends on verified “Science-Based Targets” related to carbon emissions from vehicle and battery production. The exact thresholds for different bands haven’t been disclosed.
But the system appears designed to favor UK-built vehicles.
Both Ford models have powertrains constructed in the UK – which may explain their band 1 status. Meanwhile, the Renault 5 and Nissan Micra don’t qualify for the higher grant despite being built at Renault’s sustainability-focused Douai factory in France.
Nissan expects its new Leaf – manufactured entirely in Sunderland – to qualify for the full grant when it launches.
Surge in EV Interest
The government reports an 80% increase in buyer interest since announcing the Electric Car Grant. Online marketplace Autotrader has documented a corresponding surge in EV searches.
Ian Plummer, commercial director at Autotrader, described the impact.
“The Electric Car Grant prompted the highest uptick in consumer demand for EVs in three years on Autotrader, and interest in cars priced below £37,000 almost doubled.”
Research shows price remains the biggest barrier to EV adoption for half of potential buyers.
“With additional money off from both the industry, which has launched additional offers and grants and government, annual running costs savings of up to £1,500 and 9 in 10 EV drivers saying they wouldn’t go back, now’s a great time to consider going electric.”
The grant scheme caps eligibility at vehicles priced under £37,000 before the discount is applied.
