Drivers in the UK just got a welcome nudge toward greener roads. A £650 million government grant scheme launched last week is offering motorists up to £3,750 off the price of a new electric car—but there’s a twist.

To qualify, the EV must have a list price below £37,000, and the final discount depends on how sustainable the manufacturer’s production practices are. Cars fall into two bands:

• 
  Band 1 (full £3,750 discount)
• Band 2 (up to £1,500 discount)

But there’s already “chaos and confusion,” as car dealers report a flood of inquiries with very little official information to offer buyers. Big names like Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar are out of the running—they don’t currently sell EVs under £37,000 in the UK.

Chinese-assembled vehicles are excluded due to warranty and sustainability restrictions, but Chinese manufacturers like MG, GWM, and Leapmotor have introduced their own matching discounts.

So, what are the smartest options for drivers looking to save money and go electric right now? Here are five of the best electric cars that qualify for the new grant.

1. Best for Long Commutes

Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric Techno Long Range — £36,995
With a real-world range of 300+ miles and rapid charging capabilities (15% to 80% in just 37 minutes), this is a standout for those who regularly rack up motorway miles. Its heat pump system preserves battery life and the 12-inch Google-powered infotainment screen comes with Waze and Amazon Music built-in.

Pros: Excellent range for price
Cons: Lacks driving excitement

Renault Scenic E-Tech

2. Best for Families

Vauxhall Grandland Electric — £36,455
Spacious, practical, and tech-equipped, the Grandland Electric offers comfort for growing families. It includes Apple CarPlay, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, all wrapped in a solid, no-nonsense SUV body.

Pros: Huge boot space (550L)
Cons: Feels a bit sluggish on the road

Vauxhall

3. Best Value Pick

Citroën E-C3 — £22,095
A fun-sized, urban-focused EV that doesn’t skimp on essentials. With a 199-mile range, heated front seats, and active lane departure warning, the E-C3 punches above its price point. The 44kWh battery charges from 20% to 80% in 26 minutes at a fast charger.

Pros: Budget-friendly and stylish
Cons: Interior materials feel cheap

Citroën

4. Best Performance Option

Alpine A290 — £33,500
This one’s for the petrolheads-turned-green. The Alpine A290, built on the Renault 5 platform, delivers thrilling performance with 220hp, 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, and Formula 1-inspired styling.

Pros: Hot hatch feel, engaging handling
Cons: Renault 5 offers similar fun for less

Alpine (car)

5. Best Style Statement

Mini Cooper SE — £26,905
Looking good while saving the planet? The electric Mini Cooper SE brings iconic design with a leather-free interior, panoramic sunroof, and recycled materials. A full charge takes just 30 minutes (10% to 80%).

Pros: Stylish, fun to drive
Cons: Not the best value for money

Mini (marque)

Read This Before You Buy

If you’re planning to upgrade trim levels or add options, be careful: a few hundred pounds extra could push you over the £37,000 limit—and disqualify you from the grant altogether.

And while this grant makes new EVs more accessible, don’t overlook second-hand electric cars, which may still offer better long-term value due to heavy depreciation Many drivers are rushing to take advantage of the grant, but limited model availability and unclear guidelines are causing frustration at dealerships. Experts recommend acting quickly before production slots fill up or policy changes occur. With EV adoption on the rise, this could be one of the last chances to go electric with a major government discount.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

After months of mystery and speculation, Elon Musk has finally pulled the curtain back on Tesla’s much-hyped cheaper electric vehicle. And in a surprising twist, it’s not a new car at all.

“It’s just a Model Y,” Musk said flatly during Tesla’s Q2 earnings call this week. “Let the cat out of the bag there.”

That “cat” was expected to be Tesla’s long-rumored “Model 2”, a $25,000 compact EV that would disrupt the market and open up a new chapter in affordable electric mobility. Instead, Musk confirmed the upcoming vehicle is simply a more affordable version of the existing Model Y — the company’s global best-seller.

So, What Exactly Is Tesla’s “Cheaper EV”?

Tesla began initial production of the cheaper Model Y variant in June 2025, with mass production expected in the second half of the year, according to the company’s earnings release.

The new variant is not a revolutionary redesign, but rather a cost-reduced trim of the same Model Y we already know. It’s expected to feature cheaper materials, potentially a smaller battery, and scaled-back interiors — think cloth seats, fewer software features, and no frills.

“The desire to buy the car is very high. Just people don’t have enough money in their bank account,” Musk said. “So the more affordable we can make the car, the better.”

Tesla’s Lars Moravy, Vice President of Engineering, said that volume production won’t ramp up meaningfully until late Q4, noting the company will keep pushing current models to avoid complexity during Q3 — especially as the $7,500 EV tax credit is set to expire after September 30.

How Much Cheaper Will It Be?

Right now, the base Model Y starts at $44,990 (before incentives). Industry watchers believe the cheaper variant could land closer to $35,000, making it one of Tesla’s most accessible vehicles to date.

That price point could allow Tesla to unlock an entirely new customer base—but whether it will be enough to reignite growth remains to be seen.

Why Tesla Needs This EV Now More Than Ever

Tesla’s recent performance shows a clear loss of momentum. The company has struggled with:

• Declining deliveries of core models like the Model 3 and Model Y
• Underwhelming performance of its Cybertruck, with sales dropping 50% to just 4,300 units last quarter
• Slowing EV demand growth in the U.S. and abroad
• The looming expiration of the federal EV tax credit

Unlike competitors like Toyota, Volkswagen, or General Motors—who offer broad vehicle lineups across multiple price points—Tesla remains highly dependent on two models: the Model 3 and Model Y.

Without a compelling, lower-cost offering, Tesla risks being boxed out of a price-sensitive market that is now crowded with well-equipped alternatives from BYD, Hyundai, and even Ford.

Will This “Cheaper” Model Y Be Enough?

Musk’s confirmation squashes hopes for a groundbreaking new Tesla hatchback or a uniquely small, urban EV. While it may disappoint fans expecting innovation, it may prove a smart, pragmatic strategy to optimize existing production lines without incurring massive R&D or manufacturing costs.

Tesla has done this before — launching a stripped-down Model 3 variant in Mexico and a Model Y L with a third row in China earlier this year. This upcoming Model Y variant, rumored internally as Project E41, appears to be a continuation of that strategy.

Still, analysts remain cautious. A cheaper car might boost short-term sales, but can it solve Tesla’s bigger problems—from global competition to political controversy surrounding its CEO?

The Bottom Line

Tesla’s cheaper EV is not a new Tesla, it’s just a more accessible Model Y. And while that may seem underwhelming, it could be just what the company needs to survive a turbulent phase in the EV industry.

The question is, will this move help Tesla reclaim its dominance — or is it simply a temporary patch on deeper structural issues?
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

LOS ANGELES, CA — In true Elon Musk fashion, the launch of the first-ever Tesla Diner & Drive-In in Hollywood was anything but ordinary.

On Monday, July 21st, Tesla superfans lined up from dawn—some as early as 5:30 a.m.—outside the retro-futuristic diner located at the former site of a Shakey’s Pizza. The gates didn’t open until 4:20 p.m.—a number Musk often uses to cheekily reference cannabis culture—setting the stage for a launch that was both dramatic and meme-worthy.

Inside? Imagine The Jetsons meeting Silicon Valley.

Robots, Roller Skates, and Retro Screens

Guests were greeted by roller-skating servers who offered ice cream samples, while upstairs, Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus handed out popcorn like a futuristic maître d’. The entire venue oozed retro Americana, with a drive-in projector screening 1960s episodes of “The Jetsons,” and a Cybertruck-themed menu that included the now-viral “Tesla Burger with Electric Sauce.”

“Putting all this together is just very unique,” said Vera Hammar, a Tesla enthusiast who drove 80 miles from Beaumont with her family. “It’s kind of like Ruby’s Diner — but on another planet.”

Chef Eric Greenspan curated the menu, offering diner staples like chicken & waffles, grilled cheese, and tuna melts. The pricing? Reasonable, with fries at $4 and heartier plates maxing out around $15.

Cybertrucks, Superchargers, and the Waiting Game

Outside, Tesla vehicles lined the Hollywood sidewalk, their drivers anxiously monitoring dwindling battery percentages. One fan, Tracy Kuss, joked, “Elon, I need a charge here. I’m dying,” after arriving at 8 a.m. with only 25% battery left.

Despite a lack of communication about when the doors would open, the crowd remained upbeat. YouTuber Everyday Chris, who arrived before sunrise with his wife Janice, said the experience was classic Tesla: “With Tesla, a lot of stuff is always delayed or it’s never set in stone.”

Snacks circulated through the crowd—some handed out donuts, while others bought ice cream and chips from an opportunistic vendor. A political protester with a dog and a cardboard sign even showed up, urging Musk to “save America from evil Trump and his puppets.”

Optimus Impresses and Wobbles

Inside, all eyes were on Optimus, the humanoid robot that has become symbolic of Tesla’s AI future. While the robot drew curiosity, one attendee noted, “It’s kind of jittery. I tried to get it to make heart shapes with its hand.”

Still, it’s an enormous leap forward for consumer-facing robotics, and the crowd appreciated the novelty.

The Cult of Elon

The diner’s soft launch over the weekend had already generated buzz online, with videos of its space-themed bathrooms, kiosk ordering stations, and movie-theater-style screens flooding platforms like X, Reddit, and YouTube.

The facility itself stands as a tangible realization of a dream Musk publicly tweeted about back in 2018: a Tesla drive-in restaurant and movie theater at a Supercharger location. The fact that it now exists—complete with charging stations, burgers, a robot waiter, and a dedicated fan base—is telling of Musk’s ongoing cultural pull.

Even as the tech billionaire’s political affiliations and Department of Government Efficiency draw scrutiny, his followers remain loyal. The crowd outside the diner on Monday—many of whom recognized each other from Tesla-themed accounts or Reddit threads—proved that point.

The Verdict?

“It’s been fun waiting, just kind of talking to people,” said Vera Hammar. “It’s a very, very friendly crowd. [My husband] has seen a lot of people he follows on X.”

And the buzz won’t stop in LA.

Elon Musk has already teased expansion plans:

“If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well… @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world… An island of good food, good vibes & entertainment, all while Supercharging!”

As for fans still waiting in line or camping out overnight just to see the Optimus robot hand out popcorn? In the world of Tesla, it’s not just a burger. It’s a movement.
for more update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com