Gateway2Lease reports positive Electric Car Grant impact but calls for scheme consistency
Vehicle leasing broker Gateway2Lease, has reported an 18% uplift in electric vehicle (EV) enquiries in August compared with July, following the launch of the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant scheme.
The Midlands-based business has seen particularly strong levels of interest across grant qualifying EVs including the Cupra Born, Renault 5 and Renault Scenic - highlighting the scheme’s potential to stimulate EV demand. However, Gateway2Lease warns that market inconsistencies in lease pricing and changes to grant parameters could risk undermining customer confidence.
Gateway2Lease says that manufacturer and funder concerns about EV residual value exposure are causing fluctuations in lease pricing, creating confusion for customers.
Grant eligibility rules have also already shifted since the scheme launched in mid July. At the end of August, the government introduced a new £42,000 price cap for qualifying models. Initially, eligibility was determined by the entry-level price of each powertrain variant, meaning higher-specification trims of the same model were also included if the base model fell under the original £37,000 threshold.
Commenting on the scheme, Kelly Marshall, Managing Director at Gateway2Lease, said: “We hope that The Electric Car Grant will be really positive for the motoring industry and our customers. The grant has been well received to date and the uptick in EV enquiries is encouraging - especially in August which can be quieter due to the holiday period.
What will be key is how the continued grant rollout is managed. For the scheme to be effective, we need consistency and clarity - for customers and the market as a whole. We’re optimistic that as more vehicle models are approved and the scheme matures, it will achieve its goal of increasing EV accessibility.”
Gateway2Lease has confirmed that both its business and personal customers are increasingly open to switching to electric vehicles. This trend echoes the wider market, with the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data showing new battery electric vehicle registrations were up almost 15% this August, compared with the same month in 2024.
