Image: Leapmotor official image
Chinese EV brand Leapmotor has introduced refreshed versions of its B01 compact sedan and B10 compact SUV in China, tightening the competition in the global budget EV segment.
What’s new in B01 and B10
According to Leapmotor’s announcement, the updated B01 now starts at 95,800 yuan and the B10 at 99,800 yuan in China, both offered in five variants, including LiDAR-equipped versions.
- Roughly converted (1 yuan ≈ Rs 18), the new B01 price band is about Rs 17–21.5 lakh, while the B10 sits around Rs 18–22.5 lakh at factory level.
- Both stay on the Leap 3.5 architecture and use battery-electric (BEV) powertrains only.
- Claimed CLTC driving range is up to 670 km for B01 and 610 km for B10, with 60.8 kWh and 69.7 kWh LFP battery options.
- Long-range variants use a full 800 V silicon-carbide platform, allowing DC fast charging from 30–80% in about 16–21 minutes.
Inside, the B01 features a large 17.3-inch central screen and optional AR head-up display, while the B10 SUV adds a larger AR-HUD, panoramic roof and comfort-oriented seats. Higher trims with LiDAR and a Qualcomm assisted-driving chip support navigation-based driver assistance on city roads, highways and parking areas.
Nepal angle: B10 already here, B01 still China-only
Leapmotor has begun limited exports of the B10, and the model is already listed in Nepal with pricing around Rs 54.99–55 lakh ex-showroom, according to Nepal AutoMart’s earlier data. That means the B10 is one of the few Chinese compact EV SUVs formally present in our market.
By contrast, the B01 sedan remains a China-focused product, with no confirmed export program yet. Even if it comes later, Nepal’s current preference for SUVs over sedans may limit its appeal compared with the B10.
What this could mean for Nepali EV buyers
For Nepali consumers, the update has three practical implications:
- Technology trickle-down: 800 V fast-charging, long ranges above 550 km and LiDAR-based driver assistance are moving into EVs priced below Rs 25 lakh at the Chinese factory level. Over time, similar tech could reach mid-range EVs in Nepal, including future Leapmotor imports.
- Price pressure on rivals: If the refreshed B10 or its next batch reaches Nepal with improved specs but similar pricing, it will increase pressure on competing Chinese and Indian EVs that still rely on 400 V architectures and shorter ranges.
- Charging ecosystem challenge: To fully benefit from 800 V hardware, Nepal’s DC fast-charging network will need upgrades. Current public chargers are mainly designed around 400 V systems; operators may have to invest in higher-spec equipment if more such models arrive.
For now, the refreshed B01 is mainly of interest as a benchmark for what a future budget electric sedan could offer, while the B10’s update is more directly relevant given its existing presence in Nepal’s price-sensitive EV SUV segment.
Current prices on Nepal AutoMart
- Leapmotor B10 price in Nepal: Rs 49.99 lakh – Rs 56.99 lakh ex-showroom, 2 variants
Reported by the Nepal AutoMart news desk. Prices verified against Nepal AutoMart's own distributor-sourced data.
