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Ford has quietly made two of its battery-powered SUVs more affordable in the UK: the Explorer and its coupé-style sibling the Capri now qualify for the Government’s electric vehicle subsidy, narrowing the gap with rival models and making purchase decisions a little simpler for buyers watching their budgets.
The change means both models now qualify for the Government’s lower-tier EV support rather than the higher Band 1 payment that some smaller cars receive. That matters because the level of grant directly affects the out‑the‑door price and can sway buyers choosing between similarly sized electric SUVs.
How the grants affect pricing and trims
Under the Government scheme the Explorer and Capri are eligible for the **Band 2** payment of £1,500. By contrast, Ford’s smaller Puma Gen‑E receives the full **Band 1** payment of £3,750, a benefit that has been linked in part to the Puma’s electric motor being manufactured in the UK — a factor cited in its environmental assessment.
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The headline prices after the Band 2 grant are now:
- Ford Explorer: from £33,685
- Ford Capri: from £35,485
Buyers of the Explorer can claim the grant across the **Style**, **Select** and **Premium** trims, but the options differ by powertrain. The Premium model is offered only with a 60kWh rear‑wheel‑drive setup producing 187bhp and an official combined range of about 275 miles — a configuration that keeps the list price under the £42,000 cap for grant eligibility.
Style and Select trims can instead be specified with an Extended Range rear‑wheel‑drive powertrain. That variant delivers around 282bhp and, on the WLTP combined cycle, is quoted to manage up to 374 miles between charges, while still qualifying for the £1,500 payment.
The Capri’s eligibility is narrower: the £1,500 grant applies only to the base powertrain and only in certain trims (Style or Premium), so buyers after the Capri’s sloping roofline have fewer qualifying options.
Where Ford stands against rivals
The grant move brings the Explorer and Capri closer to the Volkswagen ID.4 on price — the ID.4 also receives £1,500 and starts at about £35,495. Yet other competitors still undercut all three: the Renault Scenic benefits from the larger £3,750 payment and has a starting price around £33,245, while offering a longer quoted range (about 381 miles).
- Volkswagen ID.4: Band 2 grant (£1,500); from ~£35,495
- Renault Scenic: Band 1 grant (£3,750); from ~£33,245; ~381‑mile WLTP range
These figures mean Ford’s larger EVs are now more competitive on upfront cost, but total choice still depends on which trims and powertrains customers want — not every specification qualifies for subsidy relief.
For shoppers this is a practical development: the grant lowers the initial purchase cost for two new Ford electric SUVs, but choices around trim and battery size will determine whether the models remain eligible and how much value buyers take away. For the market, it’s another reminder that government incentives and production details (such as where components are made) continue to shape pricing and product positioning across the expanding EV lineup in the UK.
