Chinese Brand Took Initiative and Established Its Own EV Grant Without Government Assistance | Carscoops

      A substantial discount has enabled GWM to undercut rivals like Hyundai, Renault, and others.

      The GWM Ora 03 lineup now begins at £21,245 in the UK.

      A new Electric Car Grant might exclude EVs manufactured in Asia.

      Leapmotor has also recently introduced a £3,750 EV discount.

      The UK government has unveiled its long-anticipated Electric Car Grant, which is designed to make new EVs slightly more affordable for local residents. The scheme will utilize £650 million (approximately $876 million) of funding to provide consumers with grants amounting to £1,500 ($2,000) or £3,750 ($5,000) for eligible EVs.

      However, a comprehensive list of qualifying vehicles has not yet been disclosed, leaving several brands unsure if their models will qualify.

      Great Wall Motor, commonly referred to as GWM, is not waiting idly; it has rolled out its own significant discounts. All variants of the GWM Ora 03 are now offered with a £3,750 (~$5,000) ‘Green Grant’, lowering their prices and enhancing their accessibility. This initiative follows Leapmotor's announcement of a £3,750 discount on its entry-level T03 city car.

      Although the Ora 03 has an unconventional design, we found last year that it is, in fact, a commendable EV. In the UK, the range starts at £21,245 (~$28,600) for the 03 Pure, a reduction from the previous £24,995 (~$33,700) price tag before the Green Grant. It comes equipped with a standard 48 kWh battery pack, providing a range of 193 miles (310 km). With the price reduction, it now competes effectively with models like the Hyundai Inster and Renault 5.

      The 03 Pro lies in the middle of the lineup. Its starting price has dropped from £28,995 (~$39,000) to £25,245 (~$34,000). For this price, buyers receive a larger 63 kWh battery and a range of 260 miles (418 km). At the top is the £29,245 (~$39,400) Ora 03 GT, which features the same powertrain as the 03 Pro and includes distinctive exterior styling, massaging and ventilated front seats, an electric sunroof, and launch control.

      Who Will Be Eligible and Who Won’t?

      Navigating the eligibility for the local government's Electric Car Grant could be challenging for many car manufacturers, according to Autocar. The grants available will depend on the cleanliness of the energy grid in the country of production and where the batteries are manufactured. Additionally, automakers must be members of the Science Based Targets Initiative, where they must commit to carbon reductions and maintain emissions scores below a yet-to-be-determined threshold.

      While the government has yet to provide a complete list of qualifying EVs, vehicles built in Asia are anticipated to be excluded. This poses a challenge for brands like GWM, but may assist European auto manufacturers in competitively addressing their lower-priced Eastern counterparts.