Aussies who are eyeing a budget EV are in for a treat with the news that the Leapmotor B03 has been approved for sale down under, paving the way for the tiny hatchback to compete with the BYD Atto 1 in the cut-price stakes.

Paperwork for the model’s local certification shows it could come with either a 130kW e-motor or a 145kW version, both powering the front wheels and making 200Nm. 

Rear view of a blue Leapmotor B03 electric car with a black roof against a purple backdrop.
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In China, where it’s known as the A05, it’s offered with either a 39.8kWh or 53kWh battery, good for claimed CLTC ranges of 404km and 509km respectively. The Chinese versions get less grunt, with either a 70kW or 90kW motor, the latter of which is good for a 0-100km/h time of 10.5 seconds.

Dimensions for the B03 come in at 4175mm long, 1790mm wide and 1560mm tall, with a 2605mm wheelbase. That makes it quite close in size to the Atto 1, Geely’s EX2 and another tiny, budget competitor in the Kia Picanto.

Leapmotor also has a range-extender drivetrain in its line-up, but the brand’s international CEO Tianshu Xin has previously confirmed it will not be coming to the B03 and will instead be reserved for bigger vehicles like the B05 hatch and B10 SUV.

Size shapes as one of the B03’s strong points when it comes down under. It’s relatively tall with a large wheelbase, meaning there should be good rear legroom thanks to its high-mounted rear seats. 

Chinese government documents show that it comes with surround cameras, LiDAR sensors for the driver-assistance systems, and the Chinese-spec car gets an 8.8-inch driver’s display with an eye-catching 15.6-inch central touchscreen.

No pricing information has surfaced for Australia, but a sticker of around $30,000 is a good chance given what it’s up against: the stunning $19,990 cost of the Atto 1 under its current discount – down from the usual $23,990 before on-roads – and $26,490 plus on-roads for the Geely EX2 Complete Auto.