Labour Expands Electric Car Grant in UK, Boosting Travel Options for Tourists and Commuters, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on September 13, 2025

The ECG has also been made available to an additional six vehicles – as part of a scheme to spend £650 million to make electric cars (EC) more accessible to consumers. The scheme supervising the latest updates hopes to offer additional choices of EVs to locals and tourists while traveling throughout the country, thereby increasing convenience while decreasing the dependency on internal combustion engines.

The government is investing more than £4.5 billion to accelerate the switch to EVs for both consumers and industry, cementing the UK’s position as a leading market for electric vehicles in Europe. In 2024, Britain became Europe’s largest EV market, with sales increasing by almost a third in the first half of the year alone.

More Vehicles Eligible for Government EV Grant

The newly eligible cars include the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Peugeot e-Traveller, Skoda Enyaq, Skoda Elroq, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Proace City Verso, and Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric. These models join 35 other vehicles already approved under the grant scheme, which allows drivers to claim up to £1,500 off the purchase price of qualifying EVs.

Labour Party Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander explained the rationale behind the expansion: “We’re putting money back in people’s pockets and making it easier and cheaper for families to make the switch to electric, by delivering discounts of up to £3,750 on EVs. This initiative also supports jobs, skills, and innovation across the UK automotive sector.”

Travel and Tourism Benefits: Cleaner, Cheaper Journeys

For tourists exploring the UK, the expansion of the ECG scheme is particularly significant. Electric vehicles provide a cleaner, quieter travel option, making journeys across cities, national parks, and coastal destinations more environmentally friendly.

Popular tourist routes, such as the Lake District, Scottish Highlands, and coastal drives along Cornwall and Wales, are now more accessible to drivers seeking sustainable travel. Tourists who rent or purchase an EV using the grant will benefit from lower running costs, reduced emissions, and easier access to city centres, many of which now have low-emission zones.

Hotel chains and rental companies are also likely to respond by expanding EV availability, ensuring that both domestic and international visitors can experience the UK without relying on petrol or diesel vehicles.

Industry Response: Strong Support from Car Manufacturers

Automakers have welcomed the government’s latest move. Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair and Managing Director, stated: “We are proud that Ford’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised with the full EV grant. This support helps accelerate the transition to electric mobility across the UK.”

Similarly, Nicola Dobson, Managing Director at PEUGEOT UK, highlighted the benefits for consumers: “With six of our all-electric models now confirmed for the Electric Car Grant, PEUGEOT gives customers more opportunities to benefit from lower upfront costs and greater choice. From the popular E-208 to the spacious E-RIFTER, this government support makes switching to electric easier and more affordable.”

How the Grant Affects Everyday Travel

The ECG scheme not only encourages new car purchases but also influences everyday travel patterns. Families commuting to work, tourists driving between cities, and business travelers using fleet vehicles can all benefit from lower running costs. Electric vehicles are cheaper to charge than petrol or diesel cars, require less maintenance, and are increasingly supported by expanding charging infrastructure across the UK.

For example, long-distance travel from London to Edinburgh, or along the scenic coastal roads of Cornwall, is becoming more viable in electric cars, reducing both environmental impact and travel expenses. Many EV models also feature extended battery ranges, which can comfortably cover major tourist routes without frequent stops.

Future Expansion: More Models Expected

The government plans to approve additional vehicles in the coming weeks as manufacturers’ applications are assessed against sustainability criteria. The goal is to ensure that only the cleanest cars receive grant support, further encouraging innovation and competition in the electric vehicle market.

This ongoing expansion means that both residents and visitors to the UK will have an increasing variety of affordable EV options. Tourists renting vehicles in cities such as London, Manchester, or Glasgow can expect more electric choices, while UK residents planning road trips to popular destinations across England, Wales, and Scotland can benefit from discounted EV purchases.

Boosting Confidence in Electric Travel

With incentives like the £1,500 grant, the Labour government aims to make EV adoption more accessible and build confidence among drivers who may be hesitant about transitioning from petrol and diesel vehicles.

Tourists, in particular, can now enjoy a smoother travel experience knowing that they can access eco-friendly vehicles at competitive prices. Reduced fuel costs, access to low-emission zones, and quieter, smoother drives all make the UK a more attractive destination for sustainable travel.

Labour’s commitment to cleaner mobility aligns with broader efforts to reduce emissions and improve air quality, particularly in urban areas and high-traffic tourist destinations. The government’s initiatives are designed to ensure that travel remains practical, safe, and environmentally responsible for everyone.

Electric Vehicles Shaping the Future of UK Travel

The UK is making great strides in sustainable travel with the progress they have made in the Electric Car Grant scheme. With the new allotments made by the government, the EVs will be accessible and more affordable to families, workers, and even tourists, therefore saving money, reducing pollution, and promoting better travel practices throughout the country.

More and more investments, together with strong support from car manufacturers, points to the ECG scheme successfully revolutionizing mobility in the UK for everyday workers to tourists undertaking long drives. Those touring England will find the EVs on offer to greatly enhance travel to the UK’s beautiful cities, countryside, and coastline.