Leapmotor C10 EREV — Proprietor Feedback

Final Up to date on: twenty ninth July 2025, 02:42 am

I not too long ago reached out to the Australian Leapmotor neighborhood by way of Fb and shared their optimistic experiences with the battery electrical model of the C10 with CleanTechnica readers. One commentator shared the next ideas on CleanTechnica: “Wait! Did no Australian or NZ attempt to drive the 4000km coast to coast by way of the outback whereas pulling a two-tonne fishing boat with out having to cease to recharge? Apparently, these are the US standards for an EV to be helpful.” Some Aussies would agree with you on that.

Surprisingly, I additionally bought responses from some motorists who had bought the Prolonged Vary Electrical Automobile (EREV) model of the identical automotive. I’m unsure what its towing capability is, but it surely actually packs important battery + petrol vary. Earlier than the purists get huffy about EREVs, I want to level out that the EREV model of the C10 has an all-electric vary of 150 km (93 miles), and so could be pushed with little or no reliance on petrol. Ben Lim even shared his story of transitioning from a long-range Tesla to the Leapmotor C10 EREV.

“We primarily converted as a result of we have been searching for a PHEV/EREV and a bigger automobile, SUV. Coming from a Tesla Mannequin 3, we have been conscious of the restrictions of a BEV. We must plan our holidays with the children working charging websites, and after we would get there typically the charger can be taken up or not working, including to pointless ready or losing of time. We had the Tesla Mannequin 3 for the final 5 years….infrastructure continues to be an issue right here in Australia, even right here in Sydney.”

“The EREV alleviates these considerations. With the flexibility to refill in a couple of minutes and with fuel stations conveniently positioned, we don’t need to plan forward or have vary anxiousness. The C10 EREV petrol engine can be a generator, so acceleration is clean, with the EV battery driving the drive shaft of the automobile, and is as pure of a EV as you will get for a hybrid automobile. We additionally just like the C10 due to the minimalistic design. We don’t miss all these further buttons or switches, as they make the cabin really feel noisy, and we just like the calm method of the C10 inside cabin. At $46K buy and nice financing at 1.9 p.c, considerably cheaper than different PHEVs, it was a straightforward choice.”

“We cost with our Tesla cellular charger, 32amps single part. I cost to 90% so I get 150 km vary on electrical; EV+ mode within the automotive on day by day use, so no petrol. I cost normally each 3–4 days. We not too long ago did a long-distance journey to Canberra. I didn’t even need to refill with petrol. It is sensible to not use fuel after we cost night time fee with AGL, 7 cents/kWh.”

I requested Ben how you can inform the distinction between the EREV and the BEV, as I may see no badging. He stated there isn’t any badging. However it does have an open grille on the entrance bumper for air flow to chill the radiator.

Dave Ford has owned many status vehicles over the previous 15 years — together with a Lincoln LS V8, an Audi Q7, and a Mercedes-Benz ML350. He wanted a automotive that might tow his caravan. He discovered that the Q7 and the Merc turned too costly on repairs, and after promoting his van, he needed to downsize to an SUV. I’ll let him proceed in his personal phrases:

“We began searching for a brand new automotive across the AU$50k money mark. In addition to the C10 EREV, we seemed on the Deepal SO7 and the upcoming EO7. Cherry Tiggo 8 and Jaeco J7, GWM Haval H6 and BYD Sealion 6 and seven and Shark, a few Honda’s and the Haval Tank 300.”

That’s fairly a radical purchasing checklist, Dave. It additionally illustrates the variety of automobiles now accessible on the Australian market.

“The Chery/Jaecos bought reduce out early as not rated for towing, the Shark was too thirsty as soon as the battery was used, the Sealion 6 was a terrific automotive however the rear trunk space wasn’t lengthy sufficient for our day by day wants and BYD wouldn’t deal on pricing. The H6 was OK for round city, however on the freeway, it was too ‘floaty’ and the Tank was once more too thirsty and quick on rear baggage room. The Hondas have been all too costly. The EO7 was our choose however at a proposed wait of 4 months and a $70k+ sticker worth dominated it out. We have been searching for both AWD or RWD.

“The Leapmotor ticked all our packing containers, with the one points being the ADAS settings which we figured we may reside with for a couple of months until the following OTA replace. Nunawading (Victoria) Leapmotor additionally gave us a C10 Design with premium paint, wall charger and a tow bundle, when it’s accessible, for $50,008. We picked up the automotive on the 14th of Might and have now executed simply over 8000 km.

“Aside from the effectively reported ADAS points, the one others have been the maps background disappeared, it nonetheless confirmed the instructions and the street you have been travelling on however no surrounding roads and so forth. I needed to reboot the system and obtain the maps once more, no points since. Yesterday the entrance and rear cameras didn’t come on so as soon as extra hit reset and all fantastic once more. The primary display isn’t as simple to function as say a cellphone display typically needing a number of faucets to actuate a operate.

“I’ve executed a couple of journeys of 500-600 kilometres and located the automotive a delight to drive and really comfy. My greatest gripe when driving, after switching off the LKA, driver distraction, ahead AEB, and pace help features is the HVAC system, it’s overcomplicated. It must be arrange for recent air/recirculated and the temperature chosen decides on sizzling or chilly air-conditioning. The font on the screens can be far too small and an adjustment must be supplied.

“Charging hasn’t been a problem general, initially we simply gradual charged by way of the supplied 3 level cable which took all night time. Because the set up of the cost station, it now takes about 4 hours from 10% to 90%. I’ve used public chargers at few occasions however at 60c+ per kW, it’s no cheaper than operating on gas at lower than $2 a litre. Such as you, everybody asks who Leapmotor is, however each passenger has commented how good the automotive is to experience in and its quietness and roominess.

“With Stellantis, I at all times comply with that up with them being the house owners of Jeep, RAM, Maserati, and so forth. I’m commonly in contact with Leapmotor, with steered areas to have a look at for enchancment, some concepts have been: becoming lights into the door handles, tailgate button and the cost port; higher baggage space lighting and an influence outlet again there additionally, both a key fob or a minimum of an NFC spot on the passenger aspect mirror. Additionally, extra aftermarket choices equivalent to a V2L adaptor, mudflats, baggage rack bars, waterproof flooring mats.”

I enquired about vary. Dave tells me he will get between 900 to only over 1000 km on tank plus battery. He even despatched me a photograph of his sprint. “That’s the most recent after a few journeys, one included 5 of us plus baggage and the 2nd was two of us with items weighing about 250kg within the again. Usually gas sits between 4.7 and 6.2 litres per 100km or about 60 right down to 45 miles per US gallon. Electrical energy runs from about 14 to 19 kW per 100km.”

So, what do we predict, is the EREV (or when you like, PHEV with a giant battery) a contender? Is it a viable bridge from fossil fuels to battery electrical? Or is it in a distinct segment of its personal and can proceed to be a precious a part of the rEVolution? To date, 190 Leapmotor C10 EREVs have bought in Australia. The PHEV/EREV section of the Australian market has grown 300% within the final 12 months. A number of potentialities. I sit up for your feedback.