China’s Best-Selling Car Is Launching in SA This MonthAnd It Needs No Petrol

Chinese automotive giant Geely is launching its EX2 fully-electric car in South Africa in April 2026, just as electric vehicle (EV) interest has surged due to rising petrol and diesel prices.

Geely Auto South Africa has been teasing the arrival of a car on its social media channels for several weeks. A source in the vehicle retail industry has confirmed to MyBroadband that the EX2 will launch this month.

The Name

Geely will stick to a simplified naming convention. The EX2 will be known locally as the E2.

The Car

Known as the Galaxy Geome Xingyuan in its home country, the five-door, five-seat hatchback was China’s best-selling car in 2025 , recording 465,775 retail sales roughly 30,000 more than the second-placed Hongguan Mini EV and 40,000 more than the Tesla Model Y.

The Specs

Right-hand-drive models built in Thailand and Indonesia (which serve as bases for international exports) feature:

• 85kW motor with 150Nm torque

• 39.4kWh LFP battery (Thailand) / 40.8kWh (Indonesia)

• NEDC range: 395km / WLTP range: 336km

• DC fast charging (70kW): 30% to 80% in 25 minutes

• AC charging (7kW): 10% to 100% in 6.5 hours

Standard features include:

• 14.6-inch touch infotainment display

• 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster

• Minimum of four airbags

• Vehicle-to-load (V2L)

• All-LED automatic headlights

• Rearview camera

• Perforated leatherette seats

• 70-litre front trunk

One standout feature for a budget EV is the motor placement on the rear axle , which should make for a more exciting driving experience.

The Timing

The launch could come at an opportune time. AutoTrader recorded a 45% increase in EV search queries during March 2026 compared to February 2026.

However, actual sales were only up by about 10%. One factor limiting this could be the limited number of models priced under R500,000.

The Price

Geely has yet to confirm pricing for the E2 in South Africa.

In Australia, the car is expected to be priced between AU$25,000 and AU$35,000 (R291,200 and R409,000) .

Considering Geely positions the E2 as a competitor to the BYD Dolphin Surf (starting at R341,900), it would be surprising if its price tag exceeded R400,000.

The Ambition

Geely Group owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Zeekr, Riddara, Farizon, and Lynk & Co. The company aims to sell 13,000 units in South Africa in 2026 (excluding Volvo), with a dealership network expanding to 90 branches during the year.

The Bottom Line

China’s best-selling car is coming to South Africa. It needs no petrol. It has a 336km range. It charges in 25 minutes.

With fuel prices soaring, the timing couldn’t be better.

The E2 could be the EV that finally goes mainstream in SA.

{Source: Mybroadband}

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