Leapmotor T03 2025: The Affordable Electric City Car

The Leapmotor T03 is a compact, affordable electric vehicle (EV) that is making waves in the European and UK markets in 2025. With assistance from Stellantis, Chinese automaker Leapmotor unveiled this electric city car, which has a starting price of less than £15,995. It combines modern technology, affordability, and utility.

Designed for urban commuters and small families, the Leapmotor T03 offers a 165-mile range, a spacious interior, and a host of standard features like a panoramic sunroof and Level 2 autonomous driving aids. This article covers every detail of the Leapmotor T03, including its price, specifications, features, performance, competitors, and more, ensuring you have all the information to decide if this EV is right for you.

Leapmotor T03 Price

The Leapmotor T03 price starts at £15,995 (OTR) in the UK, making it the second-cheapest electric car after the Dacia Spring. With an average discount of £2,106 through select dealers, the effective price can drop to £13,889 for cash purchases. Leasing options begin at £127/month with a £1,528 initial payment for a 3-year, 5,000-mile lease, or £199/month with no deposit on a 0% APR PCP deal.

Exterior Design and Styling

The Leapmotor T03 sports a compact, youthful design tailored for city driving:

• Front Fascia: Features a “smiling face” with rounded LED headlights resembling friendly eyes and a small grille, giving it a cute, anime-inspired look similar to a Fiat 500 or Kia Picanto.
• Side Profile: Tall and narrow at 3,620 mm long, 1,577 mm wide, and 1,652 mm tall, with a 2,400 mm wheelbase. It rides on 15-inch alloy wheels with 165-section Continental tyres, enhancing cornering confidence over rivals like the Dacia Spring’s LingLong tyres.
• Rear Design: LED taillights and a minimalist bumper maintain the playful aesthetic.
• Ground Clearance: 140 mm, suitable for urban roads but not off-roading.
• Color Options: Limited to a few shades (specific colors undisclosed), keeping the Leapmotor T03 simple and cost-effective.

Its dinky dimensions make parking a breeze, though its tall, narrow stance gives it a slightly boxy appearance compared to the sleeker Fiat 500 Electric. The design prioritizes function over flair, appealing to practical buyers.

Interior and Features

The Leapmotor T03 offers a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, rivaling larger city cars:

• Dashboard and Displays: An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system support navigation, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration (likely Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, though unconfirmed). The dashboard feels well-assembled, with quality stalks and a premium steering wheel.
• Comfort Features: Automatic air-conditioning, keyless start, electrically adjustable heated mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. The single trim ensures all features are standard.
• Seating and Space: Four 6ft adults are easily accommodated with excellent head and leg room, better than the Dacia Spring and Fiat 500 Electric. Comes with ISOFIX lugs for child seat. The boot is, though, small at 210 litres – smaller even than the Spring’s 308 litre and the Inster’s 280 litre – and it folds as one big piece, so isn’t the most useful for bulky items.
• Build Quality: Rides on a 68% high-strength steel platform, feels solid, doors shut with a thud. The seat fabric feels comfy and soft-touch materials are not at a premium, but it’s more in line with the price point of the Leapmotor T03.

The Leapmotor T03 also has an interior that’s extra roomy and a features list that stands out, but a rear wiper and one-pedal driving mode it does not have.

Performance and Powertrain

The Leapmotor T03 is powered by a single front-wheel-drive electric motor and a 37.3 kWh battery (36 kWh usable):

• Power Output: 94 bhp (70 kW) and 117 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Dacia Spring (45–65 bhp).
• Acceleration: 0–62 mph in 12.7 seconds, quicker than the Spring but slower than the Citroën ë-C3, Hyundai Inster, and Renault 5.
• Top Speed: ~80 mph, suitable for urban and light highway use.
• Range: 165 miles (WLTP), or ~125 miles in cold weather (-10°C) and 170 miles in mild conditions (23°C). Real-world range drops on motorways due to the small battery.
• Efficiency: 4.4 mi/kWh, equivalent to ~157 mpg, making it highly efficient for city driving.
• Charging: Supports 6.6 kW AC charging (6 hours for 0–100%) and 48 kW DC fast charging (36 minutes for 30–80%). The charging port is front-center, convenient for nose-in parking but potentially costly for repairs.

The Leapmotor T03 excels in urban environments with direct steering and a smooth ride, though it bounces over potholes due to its lightweight build and skinny tyres. Brake regeneration is mild, lacking one-pedal driving, which may disappoint EV enthusiasts.

Safety Features

The Leapmotor T03 prioritizes safety, though it awaits Euro NCAP testing:

• Standard Safety: Six airbags, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, door-opening warning, and speed-limit recognition.
• Build: 68% high-strength steel with energy-absorbing boxes for crash protection, ensuring a robust structure.
• Autonomous Driving: Level 2 capabilities with three external cameras, one millimeter-wave radar, and 11 ultrasonic radars, supporting 10 intelligent driving functions.

While unrated, the Leapmotor T03’s safety suite is comprehensive for its price, outpacing the Dacia Spring’s basic kit. Stellantis’ service network enhances reliability confidence.

Also Read: Tata Punch Facelift Launch Date 2025: Tata’s Updated Micro-SUV

Pricing and Variants

The Leapmotor T03 simplifies the buying process with a single trim:

• Price: £15,995 (OTR), or £13,889 with discounts. Business leasing starts at £11,658 plus VAT.
• Variant: One fully loaded model with a 37.3 kWh battery, 94 bhp motor, and standard features like a sunroof, touchscreen, and safety aids.
• Warranty: 4 years, less generous than Hyundai’s 5 years or Dacia’s 7 years (service-activated) but better than Citroën’s 3 years.

The Leapmotor T03 price undercuts most EVs, offering more equipment than the Dacia Spring (£14,995) but slightly higher than a base Kia Picanto (£15,845, petrol).

Competitors

The Leapmotor T03 targets the affordable EV segment, with key rivals:

• Dacia Spring: £14,995, 45–65 bhp, 174-mile range, but less equipped and slower.
• Citroën ë-C3: ~£21,000, 111 bhp, 199-mile range, roomier but pricier.
• Hyundai Inster: ~£22,000, 97–113 bhp, 211-mile range, with premium features.
• Renault 5: ~£23,000, 121–148 bhp, 255-mile range, stylish but costly.
• Fiat 500 Electric: ~£28,000, 117 bhp, 199-mile range, premium but less practical.
• Kia Picanto/Hyundai i10 (Petrol): ~£15,000–16,000, comparable price but combustion-powered.

The Leapmotor T03 offers better range and equipment than the Spring and competes with petrol city cars, though pricier EVs like the Inster and Renault 5 offer superior performance.

Conclusion

The Leapmotor T03, priced at £15,995, is a compelling choice for budget-conscious EV buyers in 2025. With a 165-mile range, a spacious interior for its size, and standard features like a panoramic sunroof and Level 2 autonomous driving, it outshines rivals like the Dacia Spring in equipment and efficiency. While its small boot, modest charge speeds, and lack of one-pedal driving are drawbacks, the Leapmotor T03’s affordability, backed by Stellantis’ service network, makes it ideal for city commuters. With strong early reviews and competitive leasing deals, it’s a practical, eco-friendly option.