The Hyundai Kona Electric has been officially approved for the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG), reducing its price by £1,500 for buyers. This makes the Kona Electric, starting at £33,500, a more competitive option against rivals like the Vauxhall Mokka Electric, which has benefited from the ECG for several months.
Why This Matters: The Shift in Incentives
Previously, Hyundai models were excluded due to the absence of a Science Based Target (SBT) – an official commitment to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. The ECG requires manufacturers to demonstrate these targets, and Hyundai’s recent compliance opens the door for increased sales through direct customer savings. This highlights how government incentives increasingly tie EV eligibility to broader corporate sustainability efforts.
Kona Electric: Specs and Performance
All trims of the Kona Electric now qualify, including the high-spec Ultimate model, which remains under the £42,000 price cap for the grant. The SUV features a 215bhp electric motor and a 65.4kWh battery, delivering a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds and a WLTP-tested range of up to 319 miles.
What’s Next? Expanding Eligibility
Hyundai’s qualification for Band 2 of the ECG (Band 1 offers a larger £3,750 grant) suggests that other models, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia Niro EV (the Kona’s sister vehicle), could soon become eligible. A lower-priced Ioniq 5 variant, in particular, may meet the grant’s requirements, broadening access to government funding for Hyundai-Kia vehicles.
The approval of the Kona Electric marks a strategic shift for Hyundai in aligning with government incentives and underscores the growing importance of SBTs in the EV market.
