New £15,995 Leapmotor T03 EV poised to tackle Dacia in UK

Joining a growing fleet of ultra-affordable electric superminis, the T03 boasts respectable performance and driving range. Will Brits embrace this obscure new upstart? Keep reading for the full lowdown.

Meet the Leapmotor T03. And no, it’s not likely to challenge the new Aston Martin Vantage for best-looking car of 2024. Then again, for literally a tenth of the price, you can hardly complain that this electric Chinese newcomer prioritises function (and value) over form.

While the styling might not turn many heads, the price will prick plenty of ears: the T03 starts from just £15,995. Granted, that’s still not as cheap as the newly launched £14,995 Dacia Spring EV, but the T03 brings more to the table.  

For starters, where the Dacia is powered (barely) by either a 44 or 64 bhp electric motor, the Leapmotor is a comparative hot rod; 93 bhp is sent straight to the front wheels. This should make accelerating up to motorway speeds less of a mission than in the wheezing Spring, though getting there still won’t prove particularly thrilling.

The T03 goes 2-0 up over the Dacia when it comes to driving range. At 37.3 kWh, the Leapmotor’s battery is roughly 10 kWh larger than the Dacia’s. As such, the Chinese challenger goes around 25 miles further on a charge than the equivalent Spring EV. Replenishing that pack shouldn’t be too painful, either, as the T03 can be topped-up to 80% in less than 40 minutes.

There’s more good news on the inside. You might think Leapmotor would counter that meagre asking price by charging buyers extra for the seats and doors, but the opposite is true: everything from the rear parking camera to the panoramic sunroof is on the house. In fact, the only option is the exterior colour — Light White, Starry Silver, and Glacier Blue are your choices.  

For a car this small, it’s reassuring to see safety is also a top priority. The tiny T03 boasts an ‘incredibly robust body-cage structure built to provide the greatest protection to its occupants.’ Moreover, there’s a comprehensive safety suite featuring no less than 10 ADAS functions, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.  

So who’s the T03 for, then? According to Leapmotor, their entry-level machine caters to a ‘young and dynamic clientele’, though we’re curious whether this unheard-of marque will appeal to a brand conscious Gen-Z audience.

Time will tell if young British buyers can shelve their loyalties to legacy manufacturers, but Leapmotor has already secured a vote of confidence from one of the industries most formidable players: Stellantis. Last year, following a €1.5 billion investment, the multinational automotive conglomerate became a key shareholder in the Chinese car maker — so it should be here for good.  

If only they had an equally affordable electric SUV… Well, as it happens, a circa £36,000 electric crossover will be joining the ranks when the brand makes it UK debut at the end of the year. 

Would you take a leap of faith on this Chinese newcomer? Tell us your thoughts about the T03.

Hero image credit: Stellantis