Overview
- Leapmotor said it will double its manufacturer 'Leap-Grant' to £3,000 from July 1 and cut the T03’s starting price to £12,995, a move the company framed as an attempt to offer the UK’s cheapest new car.
- Within about 24 hours Dacia replied with its own price reduction, setting the Spring Expression’s on-the-road entry price at £11,990 and reclaiming the title of Britain’s cheapest new car.
- Leapmotor’s discount is separate from the UK government Electric Car Grant because the T03 does not meet the scheme’s eligibility rules, which means headline prices are not directly comparable between models.
- The price moves highlight trade-offs at the budget end: the T03 offers up to about 165 miles of range, extensive ADAS and modest charging (around 40kW), while the Spring prioritises practicality, slightly different range figures and faster public charging options.
- The launches of sub-£12,000 EVs could broaden access for first-time buyers but may also intensify competition driven by manufacturer subsidies and cross-border pricing tactics, a trend that has already prompted regulatory attention in China and scrutiny of below-cost selling.