The electric car price war sparked by the government’s bungled announcement and roll-out of its new electric car grant has taken an interesting turn with Hyundai stepping into the fray and offering its largest discount on its cheapest – and coolest – EV, the Inster.
Hyundai’s new Electric Grant scheme offers up to £3,750 off its electric models. The Inster city car gets the full £3,750 discount, while £1,500 is taken off the price of other Hyundai EVs, including the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and the new Ioniq 9. The discount is applied automatically at point of sale and is available immediately.
This new grant stacks with other promotions including an additional £500 discount on the Inster and Kona Electric as part of the Electrifying Summer Event. Hyundai’s retail, Affinity and Contract Hire customers can all benefit from the deal, which runs until 31 August 2025. Test drives are also being made more accessible, with Hyundai offering 24-hour loans to help buyers see how an EV fits into their lifestyle.
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai and Genesis UK, said: ‘Our diverse EV portfolio means we can offer something for every driving need, from the compact and efficient Inster to our flagship Ioniq 9 SUV. By providing immediate financial support through our grant programme, we’re ensuring more customers can experience the long-term savings of electric driving.’
What this means for you
If you’re considering a new electric car, this new Hyundai Electric Grant could make it significantly more affordable. With the Inster now priced below many rivals in the city car class, it could be the tipping point for first-time EV buyers. And for families, £1,500 off an Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 9 brings mainstream EV ownership within closer reach.
There’s no need to apply or haggle – the discount is applied automatically, making the process straightforward. Whether you’re buying outright, using finance, or choosing a salary sacrifice scheme, the saving applies.
Combined with the existing summer event discounts and Hyundai’s five-year warranty and strong EV reputation, this is a compelling package for anyone looking to make the switch.
Editor’s view: The electric car price war is getting serious
This is smart timing from Hyundai. With the government’s new electric car grant scheme causing confusion, Hyundai has cut through the noise with a clear, no-nonsense offer. No eligibility criteria, no postcode lottery – just money off at the point of sale. What’s significant is that it’s gone for the largest discount on the Inster, which means it’s going to fall to below £20,000 in base-level trim.
The Inster is already one of the most interesting new EVs of 2025, and this discount makes it the UK’s most affordable high-quality electric car. We’re also pleased to see the bigger Ioniq 5 and 9 included, as these (mostly) wouldn’t have fallen into the clutches of the government grant.
With other carmakers either holding firm on prices or reacting slowly to the new eco rules, Hyundai is clearly on the front foot here. If you’re in the market for an EV, this deal is hard to ignore.
Keith Adams – Editor, Parkers
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