Nissan GB Managing Director Praises UK’s Electric Car Grant Scheme
Nissan GB managing director James Taylor has lauded the Electric Car Grant (ECG) as a significant step towards prioritizing the uptake of electric vehicles in the UK and providing affordable options to consumers. He highlighted the upcoming release of three new EVs from the Japanese automaker, including the electric Juke, Qashqai, and Leaf, with the latter being positioned to benefit from the maximum £3750 grant.
Taylor emphasized that the Nissan Leaf, produced in Sunderland, stands out due to the locally supplied battery from the AESC factory, distinguishing it from other models like the UK-built Citroën e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, which received a lower discount possibly due to imported batteries.
While the government has not disclosed the timeline for the next batch of ECG-eligible EVs, several sub-£37k electric vehicles have already been discounted by manufacturers, particularly those with lower manufacturing and export CO2 footprints.
Unlike the previous Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) scheme, the ECG does not require buyers to register for the discount as it is automatically applied to eligible models at the point of sale.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander expressed optimism about the scheme, stating, “This summer, we’re making owning an electric car cheaper, easier, and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.”
To qualify for the grant, EV models must meet emission-footprint criteria and be priced under £37,000 in base trim. The amount of discount (£1500 or £3750) is determined by the environmental impact of the vehicle’s production, assembly, and battery manufacture.
While any manufacturer can apply for inclusion in the scheme, it is expected that cars produced in Asian countries may not meet the criteria due to emission thresholds. The specifics of these criteria have not been publicly disclosed.
