It's estimated that approximately 100,000 electric cars have been registered in Ireland since 2014,
writes Brian Byrne. That's a big number, though still a very small proportion of the approximately 2.1 million cars currently registered. But almost 24,000 BEVs were registered last year, close to one in five of all 2025 car registrations. The uptake has achieved the equivalent of orbital velocity in the space travel business.
Using the same kind of metaphor, the number of EV cars available on the market today has grown in a similar vein to the expansion of the countries and commercial companies involved in rocketry. Once there were Nissan's Leaf and Renault's Zoe; today, there are over 100 models available from more than 30 carmakers. It's getting hard to keep up, especially as more distinctly Chinese companies drive for a foothold here.
Leapmotor is one of the more recent of these, launched in Ireland only last October. In Europe, it's a joint venture by Stellantis and the Chinese company, and in Ireland, the brand is distributed by Gowan Auto. Their T03 and C10 models are pitched at the city car and large SUV segments, respectively, but now they have entered the most important segment here, the C-SUV, with the B10.
The Leapmotor sales ethos is summed up in the phrase 'Value without Compromise'. So they're pitching the B10 as a C-SUV at a B-SUV price. But with no compromise in specification. They're making a fairly solid case on paper.
At first glance, the B10 doesn't have memorable styling. Plain shape, little adornment either in sculpting or trimmings, a fairly bland fascia. But then you step back and take the whole thing in, and there's a neatness and clean execution that promise aesthetic longevity. Also, the fit and finish are of a quality that matches anything on the market, suggesting that the car will hold up well to the challenges of rural — and some urban — roads in Ireland.
A similar simplicity applies to the interior, which the company claims offers the most generous passenger space in the segment. Particularly in headroom, allowed for by that relatively squarish shape at the back.
The front space is dominated by the large central screen so beloved by Chinese makers. And, as is customary for them, everything is managed through that, with a range of virtual buttons along the bottom for heating, ventilation, seat heating, and access to the car's settings. The onboard navigation provides real-time traffic information and charging station locations along your route. The system also comes with Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and TikTok apps — a sign of the times, perhaps, but questionable in terms of driving distraction. There's a smaller driving information screen for the usual things: on my first drive experience, I thought the speed graphics could have been stronger; we'll see if I get used to it on a more comprehensive test.
There's good storage space up front, in particular a location on the centre front floor to hold a bag. A sort of flying centre console will hold a phone flat, but it also needs to hold the RFID keycard that allows the car to be driven. That same card has to be tapped against the driver-side mirror to unlock and lock the car (you can also do this via a smartphone app that supports 13 different connected services in the vehicle). The 430L boot capacity is reasonable for the segment.
There are two powertrain options: a 56.2 kWh/361 km battery or a 67 kWh/434 km battery. The Irish distributor expects the larger battery to account for 95 per cent of sales, with a battery cost difference of €1,688. There are two grade options.
First-drive impressions are always somewhat limited, but I was immediately impressed by the B10's handling and comfort. The sit-up style also gives good visibility all around. There's a decent and perfectly adequate 8.0 seconds to 100km/h capability.
At the launch event, the distributors made much of the price advantage against competitor models when the specifications were adjusted to be equal, and certainly, the B10 looks like it has the Value without Compromise tag. I'll look more closely at that when I have the opportunity for a full review. In the meantime, though, when the brand name becomes more familiar, Leapmoptor looks like a good investment in the long haul.
PRICE: From €32,984. WHAT I LIKED: The apparent solid quality.
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