Website of the UK government

£5,000 ultra-low carbon car grant

Who can get a grant

The government grant will be open to both private and business fleet buyers across the UK. The level of the grant (25 per cent, capped at £5,000) has been agreed until 31 March 2012.

Which cars can get the grant

To qualify for the grant, an ultra-low carbon car has to meet certain safety and performance criteria. Previously, these were listed as:

• a minimum range of 70 miles each time the vehicle is charged
• a minimum top speed of 60 miles per hour
• a minimum three-year warranty

The full updated list of criteria will be published by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles when it is confirmed. Follow the link below for more information.

• Low carbon cars - information from BIS Opens new window

• Office for Low Emission Vehicles (Department for Transport) Opens new window

The incentive aims to kick start the market for ultra-low carbon vehicles and was originally announced in 2009 under the last government. A total of £43 million has been made available for the programme up to 31 March 2012.

The level of grant support beyond that date will be reviewed in January 2012, with the final budget beyond 2011-12 to be confirmed at the spending review.

Green cars: more refuelling points

A programme is under way to increase the number of refuelling points across the country for gas and electric vehicles. Six successful bidders will share £660,000 government matched funding for infrastructure projects to support low carbon vehicles. 

This is on top of the half a million pounds committed by the Department of Transport earlier this year. A wide range of gas, bio-gas and electric vehicles are to be trialled as part of the government's commitment to build a low carbon economy.

Further information

• Buying a car: green tips

• Exemptions from paying vehicle tax