If you’ve been eyeing an affordable electric car, there’s some exciting news on the UK market.
The Dacia Spring, long known as Britain’s cheapest new EV, has officially been undercut — and it’s all thanks to a Chinese upstart brand that’s moving fast to win over budget-conscious drivers.
Meet the Leapmotor T03: The New Price Leader
Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has just launched a price cut that’s turned heads.
Their compact city EV, the T03, now starts at £14,495, making it the most affordable new electric car on sale in the UK — £500 less than the Dacia Spring’s current price of £14,995.
The move comes shortly after the UK Government introduced its new Electric Car Grant, aimed at encouraging EV sales by offering discounts of up to £3,750.
Leapmotor is getting ahead of the curve by launching its own self-funded “Leap-Grant” before the government scheme even kicks in.
Why the Big Price Drop?
Leapmotor says it doesn’t want customers waiting around for the official government grant to be ready — especially since eligibility could take weeks to confirm.
So, the brand decided to act immediately with its own discounts, knocking £1,500 off the T03 and a chunky £3,750 off its larger C10 SUV.
For context, the T03 offers a modest 165-mile range, which is more than enough for most city drivers, and the price now drops from £15,995 to £14,495.
The C10 SUV, originally priced at £36,500, is now available for £32,750.
Will These Discounts Last?
The deals are currently valid for cars ordered between 18 July and 30 September 2025 through authorised Leapmotor retailers.
However, whether Leapmotor’s models will actually qualify for the Government’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG) is still a big question mark.
The grant will only apply to EVs priced under £37,000, so technically, both the T03 and C10 qualify on price. But there’s a catch.
The Green Hurdle: Sustainability Standards May Block Chinese Brands
To be eligible for the full grant, car manufacturers must meet strict sustainability criteria, based on something called the Science-Based Target (SBT).
This assesses how green a company’s manufacturing processes are — particularly important when it comes to EVs and their battery production.
Only the most environmentally responsible manufacturers will get the full £3,750 grant.
Others may qualify for a smaller £1,500 discount, and those that don’t meet the minimum requirements won’t get anything at all.
Insiders suggest that Chinese brands, including Leapmotor, may struggle to meet these sustainability benchmarks.
If that’s the case, their vehicles could be ineligible for the taxpayer-backed subsidy — meaning Leapmotor might have to keep funding its own discount longer than expected.
What About Dacia?
Interestingly, Dacia’s Spring — the former king of budget EVs — is also made in China, specifically in Wuhan, through a joint venture between Renault and Dongfeng Motor Group.
So Dacia could face the same obstacles when it comes to qualifying for the Electric Car Grant.
Right now, the Spring remains priced at £14,995 and is expected to stay that way, unless the brand decides to follow Leapmotor’s lead.
Finance Deals Make the Offers Even More Tempting
If you’re financing through Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), the deals become even more accessible.
The Leapmotor T03 is available at £169 a month with a £169 deposit on a four-year 0% APR plan.
The larger C10 SUV goes for £319 a month with the same 0% finance offer.
Both vehicles include a four-year manufacturer warranty, and their batteries are backed by a separate eight-year guarantee, making them competitive in the long-term value department too.
A Strategic Leap Into the Market
According to Damien Dally, Managing Director of Leapmotor UK, the goal is to make the switch to electric “easy and immediate” for drivers.
“We’ve decided to act now,” he said, “to give customers clarity, confidence, and immediate savings.”
That proactive mindset could be key as the UK ramps up its push to end petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.
So, What’s Next?
For now, the Leapmotor T03 is officially the UK’s cheapest EV, undercutting the Dacia Spring — at least until the government finalizes its grant rules and eligibility.
If Leapmotor doesn’t make the sustainability cut, its lead could be short-lived.
But until then, drivers looking to go electric on a budget may want to take this opportunity and… well, make the leap.
