Extended range of 950km
Leapmotor chose this year’s Brussels Motor Show to showcase the range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) technology in its C10.
Since starting sales in Europe and other regions in September 2024, the marque has demonstrated its global ambitions.
It has rapidly expanded with more than 400 sales points in 13 European markets and is aiming for 500 by the end of 2025, for example.
The company plans to launch several models over the next three years starting with the C10 premium SUV, pictured, and compact T03.
The latter is an A-segment model, which provides access to electric mobility “without compromising on content, comfort or performance”.
Meanwhile, the C10 incorporates the latest innovations from Leapmotor, such as the cell-to-chassis technology, a “suite of life-easing technology” and safety features.
The company used January’s event in Brussels to show off the C10 Range Extender version, which “eliminates” range anxiety by combining electric power with a range extender to achieve a total range of more than 950km.
With CO2 emissions as low as 10g/km under the WLTP cycle, the C10 REEV blends sustainability with practicality.
The EV comes with charging modes – DC, AC and an onboard fuel generator. This flexibility enables the use of electric power from the grid or onboard generated electric power thanks to the 1.5-litre petrol combustion engine.
Creating industry firsts
Established in 2015, Leapmotor describes itself as a “technology-driven intelligent EV company”. Its founder, Zhu Jiangming, is an electrical engineer with more than 30 years of technical experience.
The company’s head office is in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Its business scope covers intelligent EV design, research and development, manufacturing, intelligent driving, electric-motor control, battery-system development and cloud computing-based networking solutions.
As a technology-based enterprise, the core components of Leapmotor are independently developed and manufactured, including electric powertrains and intelligent systems.
The proportion of self-developed and self-manufactured parts accounts for 60 per cent of the total vehicle cost.
Its intelligent electric technologies include the industry’s first eight-in-one electric-drive system, the first mass-produced cell-to-chassis technology and its first four-domain-in-one central integrated E/E architecture. Its current line-up consists of the C10, C11, C01 and T03 offers pure electric and extended range dual-power options.
In 2023, Stellantis invested in the company. In early May 2024, they formed a joint venture called Leapmotor International BV to explore the international market.
