Leapmotor B03 approved for Australia

The Leapmotor B03 electric hatchback has been approved for sale in Australia, opening the door for a new challenger in the increasingly competitive budget EV market. Expected to rival models such as the BYD Atto 1, Geely EX2 and BYD Dolphin, the Chinese-built hatch could arrive with up to 145kW of power and a driving range that exceeds many of its direct competitors.

Australian certification documents show the Leapmotor B03 has been approved with two electric powertrain options: a 130kW motor and a more powerful 145kW unit. Both drive the front wheels and produce 200Nm.

While local battery specifications have yet to be confirmed, overseas versions of the closely related B03X SUV pair the 130kW motor with a 39.8kWh battery and the 145kW motor with a larger 53kWh pack. In Europe, those combinations deliver WLTP driving ranges of up to 382km.

In China, where the B03 is offered with different motor outputs and sold under a different name, claimed CLTC driving ranges stretch from 404km to 509km depending on the battery selected.

The B03 measures 4175mm long, 1790mm wide and 1560mm tall, riding on a 2605mm wheelbase. That places it squarely among Australia's smallest electric cars, alongside the BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2.

Technology appears to be another selling point. Chinese-market examples feature an 8.8-inch digital instrument display, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, surround-view cameras and LiDAR-assisted driver safety systems.

Leapmotor has confirmed its range-extender technology will not be offered in the B03, with that powertrain reserved for larger models within the brand's global line-up.

Leapmotor Australia has yet to confirm local pricing, specifications or launch timing, though expectations are that the B03 will be positioned below the related B03X SUV and could start from less than $30,000.

If it arrives with the 145kW powertrain and larger battery, the B03 would boast significantly stronger outputs than most rivals in the affordable EV segment, potentially giving budget-conscious buyers a compelling alternative to the BYD Atto 1, Geely EX2 and entry-level BYD Dolphin.

The next announcement from Leapmotor is expected to reveal Australian specifications, pricing and arrival timing.

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