Nissan’s all-new Leaf has qualified for the UK government’s full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, bringing pricing down to £32,249 for the 75kWh version.

The newly launched, UK-built Leaf becomes just the fourth car to scoop the full Band one grant, alongside the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range and Ford E-Tourneo Courier and Puma Gen-E.

Unveiled earlier this year and now in production at the Sunderland plant, the heavily reinvented third-generation Leaf brings major gains in aerodynamics, EV range, tech and radical new approaches to practical family transport.

Starting first customer deliveries from February, it’s available with a choice of four equipment grades and two batteries, delivering a range of up to 386 miles on a single charge.

James Taylor, Nissan GB managing director, said: ”We’re absolutely delighted to be able to confirm Leaf’s pricing at £32,249 including the Electric Car Grant, which will deliver an accessible route to EV ownership for our customers.

“This is fantastic news for people looking to switch to fully electric motoring as they now have the reassurance that comes from a car with up to 386-miles of range, all the tech they could want and the real-world benefits that come from Nissan’s 15 years of EV expertise. Best of all, it’s proudly built right here in the UK!”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “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.

“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.”

Nissan’s most aerodynamic production car to date, the heavily overhauled Leaf offers enhanced charging speeds and a suite of technologies to make driving easier and EV ownership more rewarding, including Google Built-In, which gives access to Google Maps without a phone, plus app and game downloads from Google Play.

At the heart of the Leaf is a refined electric motor, delivering 215hp of power and 355Nm of torque that propel the car from 0 to 62mph in 7.6 seconds (Sport Mode / 75kWh battery).

The 75kWh battery option delivers a range of up to 386 miles and an energy consumption as low as 4.5mpkWh, ensuring longer journeys can be accomplished with fewer charging stops. It supports 150kW DC fast charging, recovering up to 273 miles in 30 minutes.

A second version with a 52kWh battery will also be available, with a range of up to 271 miles. Pricing of this model to be announced at a later date.