Electric vehicle leasing enquiries in the UK surged nearly 30% in the week following the launch of the government’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG), with automakers such as Leapmotor and Renault rapidly adapting their pricing strategies to match the incentive and stimulate consumer demand.
Data from Leasing.com shows a 29.8% rise in EV leasing enquiries in just seven days, as manufacturers responded to the grant with their own offers. According to CEO Mike Fazal, the increase reflects how closely aligned incentives and pricing can impact adoption. “We saw a spike in interest almost immediately after the grant was announced,” he said, highlighting the role of government support in shaping purchasing decisions.
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Chinese electric car brand Leapmotor, which recently entered the UK market, recorded a 2,675% increase in leasing enquiries over four days after launching a grant-matching scheme. Its C10 compact SUV, now priced from £128 per month, has emerged as one of the most affordable electric vehicles in the country, helping the brand quickly climb leasing rankings.
Meanwhile, Renault saw leasing interest jump by 9,575% in six days after reducing the price of its Scenic E-Tech to fall just under the £37,000 eligibility cap for the ECG. The move allowed the vehicle to qualify for the full grant, prompting a rapid response from consumers.
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The ECG offers up to £3,750 off eligible EVs based on sustainability criteria, including emissions targets and low-carbon battery manufacturing. Models not meeting these benchmarks qualify for £1,500 in support. The scheme is backed by £650 million in government funding and is expected to run through at least 2029.
To complement the grant, the government also pledged more than £60 million for EV infrastructure development, including cross-pavement residential chargers, fleet depot installations, and NHS facility charging points. Fazal noted that this combination of financial incentives and infrastructure investment is encouraging more drivers to consider electric options. “Policy, pricing and infrastructure all need to move together. This grant is a big step forward – and the data shows drivers are responding,” he said.