Leapmotor has fired the starting pistol on a UK electric car price war by launching its own discount scheme. The LEAP-GRANT cuts the price of its entire EV model range by up to £3,750, undercutting both the competition and the Government.
Buyers can now order the Leapmotor T03 from £14,495, where it previously cost £15,995. That makes it the cheapest new five-door electric car on sale in the UK right now, undercutting the Dacia Spring by £500. Of course, that could change once the list of government EV grants is confirmed.
What’s new?
Leapmotor has taken the unusual step of introducing a manufacturer-funded electric car grant ahead of the UK Government’s incoming scheme. Called the ‘LEAP-GRANT’, it offers immediate savings of up to £3,750 on its electric vehicle range and is available across all of its UK retailers from launch.
The scheme reduces the price of the C10 family SUV by the full £3,750, while the smaller T03 city car gets £1,500 off its list price. On top of that, both cars are also being offered with 0% APR finance, making the monthly payments especially competitive for drivers switching from petrol or diesel.
The move is significant. It makes Leapmotor the first manufacturer in the UK to take EV pricing into its own hands, pre-empting the long-awaited Government support package, which still hasn’t revealed full details or a confirmed start date. For now, Leapmotor is filling that gap with action rather than promises.
It also highlights the brand’s aggressive strategy to grow UK market share quickly. By blending lower list prices with strong finance deals, Leapmotor is presenting itself as the smart-money choice in a segment where buyers are increasingly price-sensitive.
What’s the effect?
This grant makes the Leapmotor T03 the most affordable new five-door electric car on sale in the UK. With an on-the-road price of £14,495, it undercuts both the Dacia Spring and BYD Seal Surf, two cars that have been touted as the tipping point for mass EV adoption.
At that price, it doesn’t just compete with other electric cars. It lands below the price bracket that petrol-powered city cars like the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 find themselves in, while offering lower running costs and zero tailpipe emissions. For many drivers, that will be enough to make the leap.
The T03 also brings plenty of kit. You get a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, panoramic roof, adaptive cruise, parking sensors and rapid DC charging. It has a WLTP driving range of up to 165 miles, which is competitive for a city car, and more than enough for the daily commute or school run.
By combining value, equipment and strong finance deals, Leapmotor’s price cut is likely to have ripple effects across the EV market. The question now is how long other brands can afford to wait before following suit.
What this means for you
If you’ve been waiting for a cheaper way into EV ownership, this could be the moment to buy. Leapmotor’s pricing leapfrogs the Government’s upcoming EV grant and delivers immediate savings.
The T03 isn’t just cheap for an electric car – it’s cheaper than most small petrol hatchbacks. Factor in low running costs and 0% finance, and it’s clear Leapmotor is playing hardball on value.
Editor’s view: The price war has started – buyers will win, not the carmakers
The starting pistol has been fired. With this move, Leapmotor has triggered the next phase of the UK’s EV price war, and the effect on traditional European brands could be profound.
Chinese manufacturers are arriving fast, and they’re not waiting for Government policy to catch up. By going early with its own grant, Leapmotor is grabbing headlines – and customers – while others dither. Buyers are the short-term winners, but the long-term impact on the European car industry could be seismic.
Keith Adams, Parkers Editor
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