Hyundai’s KONA Electric has been approved for the full £3,750 (about $4,988) Electric Car Grant in the UK, an increase of £2,250 (about $2,993) over the £1,500 (about $1,995) Band 2 award it previously held. Hyundai Motor UK says the upgrade follows a review of the environmental credentials of the KONA Electric’s supply chain and manufacturing process. With the grant applied, the entry price drops from £35,000 (about $46,550) to £31,250 (about $41,563), and the company’s 0% APR finance offer remains in place alongside the higher award.
Highlights
- The KONA Electric moves from the £1,500 (about $1,995) Band 2 award to the full £3,750 (about $4,988) Band 1 grant, a £2,250 (about $2,993) increase.
- Entry pricing falls from £35,000 (about $46,550) to £31,250 (about $41,563) with the grant applied.
- Two battery options are offered: a 48.4 kWh standard range pack and a 65.4 kWh long range pack rated at up to 319 miles on the WLTP cycle.
- Hyundai’s 0% APR finance offer is maintained alongside the enhanced grant.
What Does Band 1 Eligibility Require?
The Electric Car Grant scheme is administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and applies a point-of-sale discount to the purchase price of qualifying new electric vehicles. Band 1 is the scheme’s highest level of support. According to Hyundai, it is reserved for vehicles that meet the most stringent environmental supply chain criteria, on top of the standard price cap and vehicle eligibility requirements that govern the program.
The KONA Electric had previously cleared the lower Band 2 threshold. The reclassification means UK retail customers ordering from this week receive the additional £2,250 (about $2,993) at the point of sale.
KONA Electric Powertrain and Pricing
The second-generation KONA Electric is offered in two powertrain configurations:
| Variant | Battery | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Range | 48.4 kWh | 154 hp (156 PS) |
| Long Range | 65.4 kWh | 215 hp (218 PS) |
Hyundai quotes a WLTP range of up to 319 miles. North American readers should note that WLTP figures are generated on the European test cycle and typically run higher than EPA estimates for the same vehicle, so the number is not directly comparable to a US range rating.
Where the KONA Electric Sits in Europe
Hyundai says the KONA Electric ranks among the best-selling electric SUVs in Europe, with more than 100,000 units sold across the continent since the model line launched in 2017. The company describes the grant reclassification as the first in a series, with additional models from its lineup expected to enter the scheme later in the year.
Ashley Andrew, President, Hyundai Motor UK, said: “The KONA Electric has always offered one of the most compelling combinations of range, practicality and value in its class, and now it’s greater value than ever. The £3,750 grant is a meaningful contribution towards the cost of going electric, and the first step to welcoming more models from our line-up into the scheme as the year progresses.”
The KONA Electric is available to order now.
Sign up for our popular weekly email to catch all the latest EV news!
