BMW has become the first premium German manufacturer to qualify for the UK Government's Electric Car Grant, with selected BMW iX1 and BMW iX2 models now eligible for the maximum £3,750 Band 1 award.
The result is a significant shift in what a premium all-electric BMW costs to buy. Combined with revised list pricing, the grant brings the BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport and the new BMW iX2 eDrive20 Sport down to £33,315 OTR. To put that into perspective, a comparable petrol-powered BMW X1 sDrive20i Sport starts from £37,540 OTR. For the first time, choosing electric in this part of the range can cost less than choosing petrol.
What the Electric Car Grant means for you.
The Electric Car Grant is a government-backed scheme designed to make new electric vehicles more affordable. It operates in two bands, with Band 1 offering the higher £3,750 amount. Qualification is not automatic. Manufacturers have to demonstrate that their production processes meet the Government's environmental criteria, which is where BMW's wider sustainability work comes into play.
BMW Group's successful Band 1 application was supported by its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative and by evidence of renewable electricity procurement across its production network. At BMW Group Plant Regensburg, where over 1,400 BMW X1 and X2 derivatives are built each day, more than 25,000 square metres of photovoltaic panels sit on the plant's roof. That system generates an estimated 2.9 GWh of renewable electricity a year, roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of over 1,000 single-family homes.
Updated pricing
The table below shows how pricing has changed across the qualifying models, both before and after the grant is applied.
| Model | Previous OTR from | New OTR from | New OTR with ECG from |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport | £43,555 | £37,065 | £33,315 |
| BMW iX1 eDrive20 xLine | £45,555 | £39,065 | £35,315 |
| BMW iX1 eDrive20 M Sport | £48,305 | £41,815 | £38,065 |
| BMW iX2 eDrive20 Sport | N/A | £37,065 | £33,315 |
| BMW iX2 eDrive20 M Sport | £49,705 | £41,815 | £38,065 |
To qualify for the Electric Car Grant, the final purchase price of a BMW iX1 or BMW iX2 must be below £42,000.
A new entry point for the BMW iX2
Alongside the pricing news, the BMW iX2 range gains a new derivative. The BMW iX2 eDrive20 Sport joins the line-up as an additional qualifying model and sits below the existing M Sport versions.
Specification includes 17-inch alloy wheels, High-gloss Shadowline exterior detailing and front Sport seats. It offers the same coupé-inspired silhouette and elevated driving position that define the iX2, at a more accessible starting point.
What BMW says
Debbie McIntosh, Sales Director at BMW UK, said: "Securing the full Electric Car Grant for the BMW iX1 and BMW iX2 is an important step in making premium electric mobility more accessible to customers across the UK."
She added that the combination of driving enjoyment, quality and everyday practicality makes both models a compelling choice for customers considering an all-electric BMW.
Find out more at Halliwell Jones
Both the BMW iX1 and the BMW iX2 are available to order now through Halliwell Jones, with centres in Southport, Chester, Warrington, North Wales and Wilmslow.
Our team can talk you through the grant, the available specifications and the ownership costs in full, and arrange a test drive at a time that suits you. Get in touch with your nearest centre to find out more.
Pricing correct at the time of publication. Electric Car Grant eligibility is subject to the terms of the Government scheme and a final purchase price below £42,000. Please contact your local Halliwell Jones centre for the latest information.
