Significant Spike in Leapmotor's Popularity by 2675% Following Electric Vehicle 'subsidy' Launch
Leapmotor's Electric Car Grant Boosts Interest in UK Leasing Market
A new Chinese automotive brand, Leapmotor, has made waves in the UK leasing market with the launch of its own Electric Car Grant (ECG), leading to a surge in interest and competitive pricing for its models. According to leasing.com, Leapmotor has jumped to the top of their leasing charts due to a smart pricing strategy and timely positioning.
The ECG was introduced on 18 July 2025, offering up to £3,750 off Leapmotor vehicles across its UK retailer network. This move has resulted in immediate price reductions, making the Leapmotor T03 the cheapest new electric car in the UK at £14,495 after grant, undercutting competitors in the budget EV market.
The Leapmotor C10 family SUV, for example, receives a £3,750 discount, bringing the price to £32,750 on the road. The small Leapmotor T03 gets a £1,500 discount, making it the most affordable five-door electric car in the UK market. To complement the grant savings, Leapmotor offers 0% APR financing on all models.
Leapmotor's proactive move sidesteps uncertainties faced by Chinese-made cars regarding meeting the UK government’s new sustainability criteria under their £650 million-funded EV grant scheme. The ECG provides a guaranteed discount, improving customer confidence and likely driving higher leasing enquiries.
While specific data on leasing enquiry volumes and exact lease pricing changes post-launch of Leapmotor’s grant are not provided, the pricing strategy clearly lowers upfront costs and benefits leasing customers since the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for electric vehicles remains favorable at 3% for the 2025/26 tax year, enhancing total savings of 20-50% compared to traditional leasing or buying.
Meanwhile, Renault has responded to the ECG, but no specific actions or details about Renault's response were provided in the article. However, Renault's leasing enquiries for the Scenic E-Tech have increased by 9,575% in less than a week, suggesting a similar positive impact on consumer interest.
Leapmotor's CEO, Mike Fazal, described Renault's move as a "smart and timely reaction". Fazal praised the government for implementing the new Electric Car Grant, stating it gives consumers a reason to make the switch to electric vehicles now, not later. He also highlighted that leasing offers lower upfront costs and predictable monthly payments, making electric vehicles more accessible.
Fazal suggested that many drivers still assume electric vehicles are too expensive, but with the right grant and lease deal, they can be more affordable than traditional petrol or diesel cars. He described Leapmotor's ECG as a compelling route into electric vehicle adoption that works for real budgets.
Currently, the leasing prices for the Leapmotor C10 are now an incredible £125 a month. The Renault Scenic E-Tech price has been reduced to below £37,000, the threshold for the ECG. Despite the government yet to release details of which cars will be eligible for the ECG, Leapmotor buyers are already benefiting from savings.
In summary, the launch of Leapmotor's ECG has had a significant impact on the UK leasing market, increasing interest and competitive pricing for its models. The immediate, manufacturer-backed discounts ahead of the government grant scheme have influenced leasing enquiries positively and reduced total lease prices for Leapmotor electric cars.
[1] Source: Leapmotor Press Release, 18 July 2025 [2] Source: Leasing.com, 22 July 2025 [3] Source: Autocar, 23 July 2025 [4] Source: What Car?, 24 July 2025
- The Leapmotor T03 is now the cheapest new electric car in the UK market, undercutting competitors, after receiving a £1,500 discount, making its price £14,495 after the Electric Car Grant (ECG).
- The Leapmotor C10 family SUV, priced at £32,750 on the road, received a £3,750 discount due to the ECG, which is offered across Leapmotor's UK retailer network.
- The British government's new sustainability criteria for Chinese-made cars under their £650 million-funded EV grant scheme has caused uncertainties, but Leapmotor's ECG guarantees a discount, improving customer confidence.
- Leasing enquiries for the Renault Scenic E-Tech have increased dramatically, by 9,575% in less than a week, likely indicating a similar positive impact on consumer interest, in response to Leapmotor's ECG.
- Leapmotor's CEO, Mike Fazal, stated that electric vehicles can be more affordable than traditional petrol or diesel cars with the right grant and lease deal, resulting in a compelling route into electric vehicle adoption that works for real budgets.
