Latest news with #T03
Auto Express
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal Alert! Leapmotor T03 jumps the EV grant gun at under £14,500
The Electric Car Grant (ECG) is here but while other manufacturers scramble to register their vehicles and finalise pricing, Leapmotor is taking matters into its own hands. From July 18, the firm is applying discounts across its entire electric car range that match the predicted value of the ECG. Better still, all models are also available on 0% APR finance. Advertisement - Article continues below The so-called 'Leap-Grant' discounts mean that the electric Leapmotor T03 city car gets £1,500 off its On the Road (OTR) price and is now available from £14,495. That's less than the Dacia Spring by OTR price, making it now the UK's cheapest electric car. The Leapmotor C10 mid-size electric SUV, meanwhile, gets the full £3,750 ECG saving and is now available from only £32,750. The 0% finance offer means that the C10 could be bought on a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deal with a tiny £319 deposit followed by 48 monthly payments of the same amount. The Leapmotor T03 is offered on PCP for a £169 deposit and 48 monthly payments of that same amount. The new Electric Car Grant is being applied in two levels with manufacturers required to register their vehicles that meet the eligibility criteria to secure the correct level of discount. Tier one cars will get the full £3,750 grant while tier two cars will get £1,500 off. Leapmotor has sidestepped the uncertainty around which cars will qualify at which level, as well as questions over whether Chinese cars will meet the sustainability criteria, by launching its own grant. Damien Dally, Managing Director of Leapmotor UK, said: 'We've decided to act now because we want to give customers clarity, confidence, and immediate savings – and make the switch to electric a simple choice.' The Chinese Leapmotor brand is a joint venture with the Stellantis group, which is also home to more familiar names like Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Jeep. The T03 is manufactured in Poland while the C10 is built in China. You can get the Leapmotor Leap-Grant deals now through the Auto Express Find a Car service. Spec your ideal T03 or C10 using our tool and get the best current offers from UK Leapmotor dealers. See our new Leapmotor deals Did you know you can also sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ...
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK's 650 Million GBP Electric Car Grant: But Will It Be Enough?
In a bid to drive Britain's transition to cleaner transport, the UK government has unveiled the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) that aims to make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable. With grants of up to £3,750 available for zero-emission cars priced under £37,000, the initiative is expected to ease the upfront cost of EV ownership while supporting sustainable automotive manufacturing. This move is part of UK's broader 'Plan for Change' and aims to rev up the EV market. But its success will also depend on how carmakers respond and how quickly UK can scale up its charging infrastructure. New Discounts With a Green Twist The new grant system is structured into two tiers. Cars that meet the highest sustainability criteria—meaning not just zero tailpipe emissions but also low embedded carbon across their production lifecycle—will be eligible for the full £3,750 discount. Vehicles that meet moderate environmental benchmarks will receive £1,500 in support. To ensure the grant promotes the greenest choices, only models that meet strict sustainability standards will qualify. Manufacturers must apply to have their eligible vehicles listed, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once approved, carmakers will factor the grant into the sticker price at the dealership, so buyers don't need to fill out forms or wait for reimbursements. The government has promised that the funding will be available through the 2028–2029 financial year, offering carmakers time to align their product pipelines with these new incentives. That said, the race is already on, as drivers can start accessing discounts effective today. Winners in the Making For automakers, this grant could be a game-changer, especially for those already investing heavily in electric mobility. Stellantis STLA, for instance, stands to benefit significantly. The company's UK manufacturing hubs in Ellesmere Port and Luton are central to its EV strategy, including production of electric vans and compact cars. With models like the T03 and C10 already on sale under its Leapmotor brand, Stellantis is well-positioned to take advantage of the sub-£37,000 grant scheme. STLA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Meanwhile, Volkswagen VWAGY is gearing up with a full fleet of electric vehicles that span price points and segments. Its ID series—including the ID.3 and ID.4—is already popular among UK drivers. The upcoming (also called ID.1) is positioned as an affordable entry-level EV. With models likely to meet both price and sustainability criteria, Volkswagen's EV range may see a fresh surge in demand. BMW BMWKY is another likely winner. Its iconic Mini Cooper Electric has been a popular urban EV in the UK, and it fits into the grant's eligibility criteria. With strong brand appeal and a fun-to-drive character, BMW's Mini EV could see renewed demand as price-conscious buyers look to take advantage of the new incentives. BMW's broader electrification strategy, which includes expanding its EV lineup across both its core and Mini brands, aligns well with the goals of the scheme. Mercedes-Benz MBGYY, though known for its luxury leanings, could also benefit if future lower-cost trims or special editions bring it under the grant ceiling. Mercedes aims for half of its total sales to be EVs by 2030. Schemes like the ECG could accelerate those ambitions in the UK. Even Ferrari RACE, though typically operating in a vastly different price bracket, is watching the UK EV space with growing interest. The upcoming debut of its first fully electric car, dubbed the 'Elettrica,' is expected later this year. While its estimated price tag of over £420,000 puts it far above grant eligibility, Ferrari's foray into EVs signals a strategic shift. Over time, as battery tech matures and emissions regulations tighten, even high-end brands may explore mid-tier electric options to diversify their lineup. Moving in the Right Direction But Gaps Remain While slashing up to £3,750 off a new EV might entice more drivers to ditch petrol and diesel, the government's plan must go beyond vehicle price tags. Affordability is just one part of the equation. Charging infrastructure remains a key concern. Today, there are roughly 1.3 million electric vehicles on UK roads but only around 82,000 public charging points. That gap needs to close fast if the ECG is to spark lasting momentum. The government aims to grow that number to 300,000 by 2030—a steep climb that will require not just policy but private investment and local coordination. To that end, the grant scheme also includes funding to expand the UK's charging infrastructure. This includes £25 million for cross-pavement charging solutions (ideal for those without driveways), £30 million to install chargepoints at commercial depots, and £8 million earmarked for NHS sites. These measures will complement the £6 billion in private funding already committed to accelerating UK's EV infrastructure by 2030. Looking Ahead For brands like Stellantis, BMW and Volkswagen, the ECG offers a clear path to capture more market share, provided they act swiftly. Mercedes-Benz may find new reasons to introduce lower-cost variants that qualify under the scheme, while Ferrari's electric ambitions—though not grant-linked—reflect the industry's broader pivot. Ultimately, the Electric Car Grant is a positive step; grants may draw in buyers, but unless they're backed by fast-charging stations, affordable insurance, and reliable battery performance, adoption could still lag. Nonetheless, this grant puts more power behind UK's EV drive. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ferrari N.V. (RACE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Volkswagen AG Unsponsored ADR (VWAGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stellantis N.V. (STLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Mercedes-Benz Group AG (MBGYY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Unsponsored ADR (BMWKY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Car brand offering bungee jumps to potential customers
Up to 100 jumps are being offered free on a first-come, first-served basis. Aptly named electric car brand Leapmotor is behind the initiative. It's hoped the bungee jumps will inspire motorists yet to go electric to take the leap. There's a bungee ride in Scotland. On it, people are dropped into pitch blackness 😱 — The Random Guy (@RandomTheGuy_) May 15, 2025 Anyone brave enough to bungee will enjoy a full panoramic view of London before they jump. They'll get the chance to take in iconic landmarks such as The Shard, The London Eye, and The BT Tower in full view as they hurtle towards the ground. Damien Dally, MD of Leapmotor UK, said: 'The thought of doing a bungee jump will be quite a daunting one for many. 'But sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone and take a leap – like making the switch to electric. 'So, if you fancy stepping out of your comfort zone, please come down to Coram's Fields and say hello.' Leapmotor officially launched in the UK in early 2025 with its city car, the T03, and its family-focused SUV, the C10. The manufacturer has partnered with Stellantis, one of the largest car brands in the world, to distribute its vehicles nationwide at 46 dealerships. Recommended reading: The joint venture is led by 51 per cent stakeholder Stellantis, which has 130 years of history in the UK automotive sector. Damien Dally added: 'As for our pop-up dealership, we couldn't think of a more fitting way to launch our brand into the UK by helping Brits literally take the ultimate leap, a bungee jump from 160-feet-tall crane. 'Leapmotor is on a mission to be the best value EV brand in the UK and make electric driving accessible to everyone. 'It is clear many drivers are still nervous about making the switch to electric, but we believe our offering is the perfect first step into electric.'
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Leapmotor T03 review: The best value EV in the UK
Leapmotor might be a new name in the UK, but its arrival is backed by the might of industry giant Stellantis, meaning you'll soon find its cars in familiar Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Fiat dealerships. Its first offering, the Leapmotor T03, is a compact urban runabout built in Europe and laser-targeted at the budget end of the market. Only the Dacia Spring undercuts it on price, but the comparison ends there. Whereas the Dacia is relatively spartan, the single-spec Leapmotor T03 is laden with technology, including luxury features like adaptive cruise control and a sunroof rarely seen at this price point. Quality feels a step above its main rival too, and while the ride can be a little choppy it's a perfectly capable city car with reasonable space inside. If you can look past its slightly awkward styling – the T03 resembles a Fiat 500 in a funhouse mirror – you'll find an impressively equipped and affordable EV. How we tested We were introduced to the Leapmotor T03 near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, where we drove through the local towns and on plenty of country lanes, including some of the worst road surfaces in the UK. And, of course, we sat in the back and tested the boot. Independent rating: 8/10 Pros: Loads of kit, easy drive, reasonable to drive Cons: Poor infotainment, challenging looks Leapmotor T03 specs Price range: £15,995 Battery size: 37.3kWh Maximum claimed range: 165 miles Miles per kWh: TBC Maximum charging rate: 48kW Battery, range, charging, performance and drive Many people don't drive 165 miles in a week, let alone a day. For those folk, a T03 will be perfectly acceptable. It's an affordable EV transport. Leapmotor claims that if you stick to urban routes – as you probably would in a T03 – you may even get over 200 miles on a single charge. You'll not get super-fast charging with a T03 – what do you expect for £15,995? – but it will charge on a fast charger at up to 48kW giving a 30 to 80 per cent charge in 36 minutes. More likely you'll be charging on a 7kW home or public charger, with the same charge taking 3.5 hours. At slow speeds, the noise the electric motor makes is a little odd. Accelerating and slowing gives a rising and falling noise that sounds like a police car. We doubt anybody is really going to notice a difference if you select sport mode – yes, there is one – or even eco come to that. Just leave it in standard and you'll be fine. Given the car's short wheelbase, the ride can feel a little choppy over bumps or road humps, but it's acceptable. We only managed some faster A-roads on our test routes, but it handled 60mph okay and the acceleration felt nippy enough from the 94bhp motor, despite a claimed 0-62mph time of 12.7 seconds. There's decent visibility and manoeuvrability is fine. The car is easy to park and thread through city streets. Interior, practicality and boot space Another surprise is how spacious the T03 feels inside. Unlike in something like the Hyundai Inster (which is much more expensive) bigger drivers and passengers won't feel like their shoulders are close to the door frame or the person next to them. It's reasonably comfortable inside the T03, with good headroom in the front and the back. Rear passengers have reasonable space, too, although the door aperture isn't the widest, as you might expect from such a small car. There's plenty of room to put your feet under the front seats and the deep side windows mean there's a good view out. The boot is small and one of the only signs of cost-cutting we could find was the lack of a parcel shelf. If you've tried a Dacia Spring and then a Leapmotor T03, you'll be impressed by the quality in the Leapmotor for the price. The cabin isn't awash with soft materials – it does feel a bit cheap – but it looks okay and the doors shut with a more reassuring thud than the cheap 'tink' noise that the Dacia's doors shut with. Technology, stereo and infotainment The Leapmotor may boast an 8in driver display and 10in infotainment touchscreen, but we found the latter fiddly and frustrating to use, while there's only Bluetooth connectivity – no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which is a shame. There's an in-built navigation system, although it froze on our test – a quick turn off and turn on again got it going again. Hopefully, the usability and maybe even the addition of CarPlay and Android Auto can be fixed with over-the-air updates, which the T03 can get. As for that kit on board, you get keyless start, a good-sized sunroof (although not entirely panoramic as the Leapmotor blurb suggests), a rear-view camera and parking sensors, air-con, auto headlights and an electronic handbrake. You'll want for nothing with a host of safety and driver assistance features, too, with blind spot detection, lane keep assist and lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and a few too many intrusive bings and bongs that remind you what these systems are doing. Prices and running costs It's not just the list price that's competitive. Leapmotor promises a four-year finance deal at £199 a month after paying a deposit of £199. Whether anybody wants to keep a Leapmotor for four years with cheap new EVs coming from other Chinese brands – and even Volkswagen and its sister brands – remains to be seen. There's only one spec, but a choice of three colours: white will cost you nothing, but starry silver or glacier blue will add a sizeable £650 to your bill. Running costs should be low, especially if you have access to a low-rate electricity tariff, while there's a four-year warranty on the car and eight year's cover for the battery. Leapmotor T03 rivals Dacia Spring Citroen e-C3 Fiat Grande Panda FAQs How long does it take to charge? The Leapmotor T03 will charge on a fast charger at up to 48kW giving a 30 to 80 per cent charge in 36 minutes. More likely you'll be charging on a 7kW home or public charger, with the same charge taking 3.5 hours. How much does it cost - is it worth it? The one-size-fits-all price is £15,995 – that's for a fully-loaded little car that really wants for nothing on kit. You'll have to pay an extra £650 if you want one of the two posher paint colours Does Leapmotor replace batteries for free? There's the usual eight-year warranty on the battery, plus four year's cover on the rest of the car. Why trust us Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic. The verdict: Leapmotor T03 The Leapmotor T03 is all about value, and it offers plenty. Some people don't need an EV that'll do mega-miles on a single charge and will be perfectly happy with a little runabout that comes loaded with kit, offers an okay drive and reasonable space for the occasional rear passengers. If you're not bothered by an unknown badge, the Leapmotor T03 makes plenty of sense.
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Car brand drives traffic to its showroom – by offering bungee jumps
New electric car brand Leapmotor has opened a one-of-a-kind car showroom at Corams Fields | Will Ireland/PinPep A new electric car brand offered visitors free bungee jumps - to drive traffic to its showrooms. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Customers got the chance to leap over the top of a 50-metre crane - the same length as an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Up to 100 jumps were offered free on a first come, first served basis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aptly named electric car brand Leapmotor is behind the initiative, which took place at Coram's Fields in central London yesterday [Wednesday June 25] from 10am until 5pm. It's hoped the bungee jumps will inspire motorists yet to go electric to take the leap. Anyone brave enough to bungee will enjoy a full panoramic view of London before they jump. They got the chance to take in iconic landmarks such as The Shard, The London Eye, and The BT Tower in full view as they hurtle towards the ground. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Damien Dally, MD of Leapmotor UK, said: 'The thought of doing a bungee jump will be quite a daunting one for many. 'But sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone and take a leap – like making the switch to electric. 'So, if you fancy stepping out of your comfort zone, please come down to Coram's Fields and say hello.' The showroom offers free bungee jumps while browsing for an electric car | Will Ireland/PinPep 'Take a leap - like making the switch to electric' Leapmotor officially launched in the UK in early 2025 with its city car, the T03, and its family-focused SUV, the C10. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The manufacturer has partnered with Stellantis, one of the largest car brands in the world, to distribute its vehicles nationwide at 46 dealerships. The joint venture is led by 51 per cent stakeholder Stellantis, which has 130 years of history in the UK automotive sector. Damien Dally added: 'As for our pop-up dealership, we couldn't think of a more fitting way to launch our brand into the UK by helping Brits literally take the ultimate leap, a bungee jump from a 160-feet-tall crane. 'Leapmotor is on a mission to be the best value EV brand in the UK and make electric driving accessible to everyone. 'It is clear many drivers are still nervous about making the switch to electric, but we believe our offering is the perfect first step into electric.'
