THE new Nissan Leaf will qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant when it goes on sale early next year.

With a range of up to 386 miles on a single charge, the new Leaf 75kWh in entry-level Engage trim will be priced from £32,249, with production scheduled to start in Sunderland in December.

First customer deliveries are planned for February.

Higher specification Advance and Evolve models will cost from £34,249 and £36,249 respectively after the grant.

Since its debut in 2010, the Nissan Leaf has sold close to 700,000 units worldwide, earning its place in history as the world's first mass-market electric vehicle.

The new third generation model marks the start of a new chapter for this famous nameplate, having been re-designed and re-engineered to meet the needs of modern EV customers, while remaining true to its innovative roots.

Built in Britain, at Nissan's world-class EV manufacturing facility in Sunderland, it has a sharp new look, integrated technology and a host of new driver assistance features.

It is Nissan's most aerodynamic production car to date and offers enhanced charging speeds as well as 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.

The 75kWh version has a range of up to 269 miles at 70 mph on the highway and recharging from a fast charger can recoup up to 273 miles of range in 30 minutes.

The electric motor produces 215hp of power and 355Nm of torque which is enough to give the car a 0 to 62mph in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 100mph.

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 added: "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."