The idea is clear: encourage the take of EVs with grants but ensure that only those meeting standards can be eligible. However, only around an eighth of EVs have so far been ratified as confusion remains of which other cars will, or will not, get the grant.

Manufacturers are expected to receive the grants from next week, and yet only 17 are on the list, all from Citroen, Renault, Nissan and Vauxhall.

To be eligible for a grant, the vehicle must be zero emission (of course!) have a minimum battery range of 100 miles, have a 3-year or 60,000 mile warranty, whichever is reached first, be powered by a battery with an 8-year or 100,000 mile warranty, whichever is reached first, and, critically, meet minimum sustainability criteria.

To be eligible, any model and its core battery must be manufactured under sustainable conditions, effectively denying Chinese cars a grant. But many US and European cars have not yet been vetted, with even those that have been passed not receiving the full grant amount.

James Taylor, MD, Nissan Motor GB, said: Nissan has always been an electric vehicle pioneer, and this announcement is an exciting step in the UK’s electrification journey. Micra and Ariya are first, and we have three new EVs on their way, including the all-electric British-built LEAF, which will go on sale later this year.”

It is expected that the Leaf will be the first vehicle to receive the full grant, that is be in Band 1. All current EVs are in Band 2.

---