Leapmotor T03: it should be the cheapest electric car on the market, and not just a little!
There is movement in the world of affordable electric city cars. The Dacia Spring, which was until now the cheapest electric car on the French market, has lost competitiveness following the loss of its ecological bonus, due to its production in China. A gap that Stellantis quickly attacked, first with its Citroën ë-C3, not much more expensive than the Spring thanks to its eligibility for the ecological bonus, and much more versatile. Now, it is with the Leapmotor T03 that Stellantis is trying to bury the Spring. It is displayed at the same entry-level price as the small electric Dacia, but it should be eligible for the ecological bonus.
Chinese electric cars sold by Stellantis at aggressive prices
Thus, via a joint venture with Leapmotor, Stellantis will sell the Chinese manufacturer's electric cars outside its national territory, relying largely on its distribution network. The T03 mini-city car and the C10 family SUV will thus be available in Europe at the beginning of October. Their major selling point is their price. The C10 is thus sold from €36,400, with a launch offer of €34,900 for the first customers, when a Tesla Model Y costs at least €40,990 bonus deducted.
Even better, the T03 is priced from €19,500, or even €18,900 with a launch offer. The first customers will thus be able to afford the T03 at the same price as a Dacia Spring, but the Leapmotor mini-city car would also be eligible for the ecological bonus. “The vehicle should benefit from the ecological bonus of €4,000, making the final cost to the customer €14,900.”says Stellantis. It should be noted, however, that the amount of this aid is likely to decrease in 2025.
If Stellantis is confident about the T03's ability to receive this valuable aid from the French state, it is because the electric mini-city car is not assembled in China. At least not completely, since while some parts are produced in the Middle Kingdom, final assembly will take place in Tychy, Poland, according to a Semi Knocked Down (SKD) principle, we learn The ArgusThe eligibility of the T03 for the ecological bonus should be confirmed on September 30.
A surprisingly well-equipped model as standard
If the T03 manages to secure this state aid, it is difficult to see what arguments the Dacia Spring will still be able to put forward. The T03 has dimensions close to those of the small Dacia (3.62 m long, compared to 3.70 m for the Spring), but its technical specifications are a little more in line. It is equipped with a 37.3 kWh battery which gives it a range of 265 km in the WLTP combined cycle, while the Spring has a range of 225 km. The T03 is also more powerful, thanks to its 70 kW (95 hp) engine, compared to only 48 kW (65 hp) for Dacia, and offers direct current charging of up to 48 kW as standard.
Finally, Stellantis has chosen to simplify the T03 range for its arrival in Europe. The standard equipment is thus very complete, with among other things a 10.1-inch central touch screen, an 8-inch screen behind the steering wheel, a reversing camera, automatic air conditioning, four electric windows and even a panoramic and sunroof. We would almost come to hope for a slightly more stripped-down version, in order to bring down the prices even more.
On the other hand, if Stellantis has been too confident and the T03 fails to qualify for the ecological bonus in France, it will then face competition from its distant cousin, the Citroën ë-C3, which is larger and more versatile, but much less well-equipped at the entry level, which starts at €19,300 after the bonus.
