Drivers to be given £3,750 discount on British-made electric car
Drivers are set to save £3,750 off the new Nissan LEAF as the government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) list expands once again.
Set to be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant by its 6,000-strong workforce from next month, the LEAF qualifying for the grant is expected to help boost sales for the manufacturer, support jobs and growth in the region, and cement the North East as one of the UK’s manufacturing strongholds.
The move brings the total number of eligible models under the ECG to 39, spanning the most popular automotive brands, including Ford, Citroën, Vauxhall, and now Nissan, and offering discounts of up to £3,750, available through dealerships.
The ECG was launched earlier this year to put money back in people’s pockets and make it cheaper and easier to own an electric vehicle. The scheme is also backing the UK’s automotive industry, a key sector identified in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which supports 133,000 jobs in the UK, and a further 320,000 jobs in the wider economy.
Applications are assessed against the scheme’s sustainability standards, ensuring only the cleanest cars are eligible.
The announcement comes as demand for EVs continues to surge, with sales accounting for a quarter of UK car purchases in October and enquiries for some eligible models up by 118% following their qualification for the scheme.
“Nissan helped pioneer early EV ownership through the original Leaf, so it is great to see them join our drive to make going electric cheaper and more accessible for families,” said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
“Alongside saving drivers thousands, this news is also a big boost for manufacturing in the North East – supporting thousands of jobs in the region whilst backing the industry to grow and deliver our Plan for Change.”
