Here are the very attractive prices of the two Chinese electric cars sold in France by Peugeot and Citroën

Stellantis (group of Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat and Jeep) took the world by surprise in 2023 by announcing a partnership with Leapmotora start-up virtually unknown in Europe. The project: to assemble and distribute the Chinese brand’s electric cars within the Stellantis group network.

A project that is coming to fruition with the official launch of the first two models: the T03 city car and the C10 SUVThe press release also reveals the French prices of these two cars; prices rather well placedespecially since the T03 could be eligible for the French ecological bonus, which would make it the cheapest electric car on the market.

A T03 under 15,000 euros?

Let’s start with the T03. The obvious rival of the Dacia Spring, this electric city car from 3.62 m long was already distributed in France via an independent importer at a price of 25,990 euros (we have already tried it).

Good surprise: Leapmotor announces a price starting at 19,500 euroswith a launch promotion lowering it to 18,900 euros, which should run until the end of October. Best surprise: thanks to its assembly in the Fiat plant in Tychy, the T03 could be eligible for the French ecological bonuswhich would then make it start at 14,900 euros for all, and even 13,230 euros with the “super bonus” of 7,000 euros (limited to 30% of the price of the car). Answer the September 30, 2024 with the verdict of ADEME, in charge of calculating the environmental score.

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For this price, the T03 offers a long list of equipment – the car is only offered in one version, with no options other than the exterior color. We will therefore find a 10.1-inch central screen with connected navigation, 10-inch rims, a glass roof, a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control as standard.

On the technical side, a 37.3 kWh LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery promises to take the T03 up to 265 km in one charge according to the WLTP cycle. A 95 hp engine allows you to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.7 seconds. In terms of charging, a 48 kW fast charge will allow you to go from 30 to 80% in 30 minutes.

These are not mind-blowing figures, but the Spring does not offer any better – or even worse: 225 km of WLTP autonomy, 65 hp, optional 30 kW fast charging, less standard equipment, all starting at 18,900 euros. The Citroën ë-C3, starting at 19,700 euros bonus deducted, will offer less equipment, but more versatility.

The C10 enters a bloody market with some advantages

The C10 does not play in the same league as the T03 at all, since it is an SUV 4.74 m long. It therefore enters the extremely competitive market of family electric SUVs, already dominated by the Tesla Model Y, Renault Scénic E-Tech, Peugeot E-3008 and Volkswagen ID.4 – to name just a few.

To defend itself, the Leapmotor comes with a price starting at 36,400 eurosalso reduced to 34,900 euros for the launch. On the other hand, no bonussince it is imported directly from China.

Like its little sister, the C10 arrives with a plethora of standard equipment. Electric seats, glass roof, 14.6-inch central screen, level 2 semi-autonomous driving, connected navigation, 360° reversing camera, 19-inch rims: everything is standard. A “high-end” finish, called Design, adds heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, an electric tailgate and a few other details for an additional 1,500 euros.

The C10 is based on a fully connected platform (Leapmotor calls it SDV, for software-defined vehicle), allowing remote updates, a bit like Tesla. A 69.9 kWh LFP battery powers a 218 hp rear motor, for an announced range of 420 km WLTP. Fast charging is entrusted to an 84 kW charger, enough to go from 30 to 80% in 30 minutes. It’s slow, but Leapmotor has told us that a version with a 120 kW charger will arrive in early 2025, improving these charging times – without, however, saying anything about the gains.

Will this rather good price/equipment ratio be enough to convince customers? On the other side, the competitors will not be fooled. The electric Scénic starts at 35,990 euros bonus deducted with 430 km WLTP but less equipment, while the inevitable Model Y Propulsion starts at 40,990 euros with a similar endowment and 455 km of autonomy.

An imminent arrival

To attract (and reassure) customers, Leapmotor wants to capitalize on the strength of Stellantis’ sales and maintenance network. The Chinese brand has announced that it is aiming 120 points of sale in France by the end of the 1st quarter of 2025 ; at European level, there will be 350 points of sale before the end of 2024.

The T03 and C10 are currently being tested in Italy, where we are, before arriving in French dealerships at the beginning of October. Finally, the brand will be present at World Motor Show from Paris in mid-October with the presentation of the two cars, not forgetting the presentation of a new model.