Long road trips in an electric car often come with a hidden passenger: range anxiety. Will there be enough charge? Is the next charging station open? For many, this worry makes the idea of a fully electric vehicle feel a bit daunting, especially for those longer journeys. But what if you could have the best of both worlds?
This past week, we put a vehicle to the ultimate test. The goal was to drive from Lisbon to Madrid, a distance of about 650 kilometers, without stopping once for fuel or a charge. Our test car was the brand-new Leapmotor C10 REEV. Here’s a little secret: we made it, and there was still power to spare.
After six hours on the road, mostly highway driving at legal speeds, we rolled into Madrid. We didn’t hit any unexpected snags. More importantly, we never once looked for a charging station. The car simply kept going.
The REEV Advantage: Electric Drive, Endless Range
The secret sauce behind this impressive range is its REEV technology, which stands for Range-Extended Electric Vehicle. Unlike a pure electric car, which relies only on its battery, or a common plug-in hybrid where the gas engine can also drive the wheels, the C10 REEV works differently.
You always drive on electric power. A strong 158 kW (215 HP) electric motor moves the car, giving you that instant push and quiet, smooth ride electric vehicles are known for. The 28.4 kWh battery offers an electric range of 145 kilometers (WLTP cycle). This is plenty for most daily commutes.
This setup completely solves the problem of range anxiety. The C10 REEV also stands out for being efficient and eco-friendly. Official numbers show just 10 g/km of COâ‚‚ emissions (WLTP). Its combined fuel use can be as low as 0.4 liters per 100 kilometers. These figures are much lower than any traditional gas car.
When the battery gets low, a 1.5-liter gasoline engine kicks in. This engine, with 50 kW of power, works only as a generator. It creates electricity to recharge the battery. It never drives the wheels directly. This smart design gives drivers the best features of both worlds:
- Compared to a pure electric vehicle: No more range worries. The total combined range is over 970 kilometers. You can take long trips without detailed planning for charging stops. You use existing gas stations just like any other car.
- Compared to a plug-in hybrid: The battery is larger. This means more daily driving on electric power alone. The driving experience always feels like an EV. The generator is super-efficient, converting energy at 96.5%. Its design also helps reduce weight and vibrations. You can learn more about this technology here: leapmotor.net/reev.
Behind the Wheel: Comfort and Smart Tech
Beyond its clever energy system, the Lisbon-Madrid trip showed off the C10’s comfort. Leapmotor paid close attention to “Noise, Vibration, and Harshness” (NVH). The cabin is very quiet, even when the generator motor starts up. You barely notice it working. The sturdy engine block and shock-absorbing pulleys keep the ride calm. This really adds to the comfort, even on long drives.
Drivers can pick their preferred “Energy Mode” on the central screen. This lets them focus on electric driving or get the most range, depending on what they need.
It’s interesting to note that even though this car reduces the need for charging, Leapmotor is part of the Free2move Charge system. This is an ecosystem created by Stellantis. It means owners can access over 800,000 charging points across Europe. These work for both AC and DC charging, all through the Free2move app.
The C10 REEV: A Smart Step Towards Electric Driving
Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, thinks that “one in two C10s sold in Europe will be the range-extended version.” After our road test, it’s easy to see why he’s so hopeful. The Leapmotor C10 REEV offers a smart solution for today’s changing car market. It provides the clean driving and feel of an electric car for daily use. Plus, it has the freedom of a gasoline car for long journeys.
Leapmotor sold over 221,000 vehicles in China during the first half of 2025. This makes them a top seller among new electric vehicle brands. Globally, the company aims to deliver half a million units in 2025. This would almost double their sales from last year. The C10 REEV costs 37,454 euros, and the C10 REEV Design model is 38,954 euros. The company is also expanding its sales and service network, with plans to grow from six to nine locations by the end of the year.
Technical Parameters: Leapmotor C10 REEV
Dimensions and Specifications
- Length: 4739 mm
- Width: 1900 mm
- Height: 1680 mm
- Wheelbase: 2825 mm
- Boot Capacity: 400 L / 1375 L
- Ground Clearance: 180 mm
- Gross Weight: 1980 kg
Electric Motor and Battery
- Max Net Power: 158 kW
- Max Torque: 320 Nm
- Battery Capacity: 28.4 kWh
- Max Onboard Charger Power: 11 kW
- Max DC Charging Power: 65 kW
- DC Charging Time (30~80%): 18 min
Thermal Engine (Generator)
- Displacement: 1.499 L
- Cylinders: 4, in-line
- Power: 50 kW
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 L
Performance
- Max Speed: 170 km/h
- Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 8.5 s
- Combined EV Range (WLTP): 145 km
- City EV Range (WLTP): 191 km
- Total Range: 970 km
Chassis and Wheels
- Traction: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Suspension (front/rear): McPherson / Multi-link
- Brakes (front/rear): Ventilated Discs
- Tires: 245/45R20
- Rims: 20″ alloy wheels
Features
Infotainment
- 14.6″ high-resolution central screen
- 10.25″ LCD instrument cluster
- Online navigation system
- App store access
- 12 speakers
- Over-the-Air (OTA) updates
Safety
- 7 airbags (front, side, curtain, external)
- 17 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Comfort
- Panoramic roof with electric curtain
- Ambient lighting with rhythm
- Front armrest
- OEKO-TEX silicone seats
- Electric front seat adjustment (Driver: 6 positions; Passenger: 4 positions)
- Ventilated and heated front seats
- 40/60 folding rear seat with central armrest
- Manual rear seat back adjustment
Climate Control
- Dual-zone automatic air conditioning
- Hidden electric ventilation outlets
Parking Assistance
- Rear parking sensors
- 360° camera with dynamic guidelines
- Transparent chassis and wheel view
Lights
- Automatic LED headlights
- Animated LED taillights
Convenience
- Wireless phone charger
- Electric tailgate
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function