Nissan Ariya prices slashed by £6000; Micra and Leaf also eligible for EV grant
Forthcoming Leaf is eligible for the full grant, with Ariya and new Micra qualifying for less...
Nissan has confirmed its three-strong line-up electric cars will be eligible for the Government’s EV grant – but only the next generation of Nissan Leaf, due to launch later this year, will receive the full £3750 saving.
The firm’s other two electric models, the new Micra and Ariya electric SUV will be eligible for the lower grant of £1500.
Recent revisions to the Nissan Ariya's pricing mean that the entry-level Engage model now starts at £33,500 – which means it's been cut by £6155 compared with its original price, and it now significantly undercuts the £37,000 cap set by the government.
The Ariya's other models which are powered by its 63kWh battery also qualify for the £1500 grant. Advance trim models will cost from £37,500, while top-spec Evolve trim models will cost from £42,500.
There will also be a special entry-level variant called the Ariya Shiro, which will also start at £33,500. Equipped with the smaller 63kWh battery, it'll receive pearlescent white paint, wireless phone charging, front fog lights and privacy glass.
The Nissan Micra, which is closely related to the Renault 5 – the reigning What Car? Car of the Year – will cost from £21,495 including the grant. That model is in entry-level Engage trim, with the smaller 40kWh battery, and can travel 192 miles under official figures.
The next model up, Advance, which gains a larger infotainment touchscreen is available with both the 40kWh and 52kWh battery – the latter boosting range to 260 miles – and costs £23,495 or £25,495 respectively. The range-topping Micra Evolve is available only with the bigger battery and costs £28,365. Buyers will be able to order the Micra from next month.
The new Nissan Leaf, which goes on sale later this year, will be eligible for the full £3750 grant. While no prices for the third-generation model have been confirmed, we anticipate a starting price of around £32,000, which could mean it’ll cost as little as £28,000 once the grant has been applied.
The electric car grant was announced last month, aiming to reduce the cost of going electric. To be eligible for the EV grant, cars must cost £37,000 or less, but additional criteria focusing on the level of emissions produced during production, range, battery warranty and the manufacturer’s commitment to reducing environmental impact are all taken into account.
But initial confusion over the rollout could have already cost £389 million in lost car sales. Exclusive research by What Car? found that more than one in five electric car buyers had delayed their purchase. As a result, brands such as Fiat, MG and Vauxhall have resorted to introducing their own incentives to boost consumer confidence.
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