Xpeng introduced its smallest and most affordable electric vehicle for Europe at a Munich event this week. The new L03 SUV coupé aims to compete directly with Tesla’s Model Y and other mainstream EVs.
The L03 starts at €35,600, which is lower than the Model Y’s €39,990 entry price and the Škoda Elroq’s €37,390 base model. At 4.65 meters long, it is the brand’s most compact model, designed for the high-volume segment of the German market.
Price and performance under €40,000
The L03 comes in four fully electric versions, all using lithium iron phosphate batteries. The base rear-wheel-drive model provides 180kW of power and a WLTP range of up to 445km from a 58.3kWh battery. The long-range version extends that to 520km with a 71.2kWh pack, priced from €38,600.
For better performance, the all-wheel-drive variant delivers 285kW and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds. The top-tier “Ultra” model, starting at €46,600, includes a 18-speaker sound system, two Turing AI chips, and Level 2+ autonomous driving features. All versions have a top speed of 180km/h and a drag coefficient of 0.228, matching the aerodynamic efficiency of Tesla’s Model Y.
A range-extender version, the L03 REEV, will be available from autumn. It combines a 1.5-litre petrol generator with a 37.25kWh battery, offering over 1,000km of total range, though final WLTP certification is pending.
Charging speed defies 400-volt limitations
Most affordable EVs compromise on charging, but the L03 stands out with a 400-volt system that still reaches 236kW. This allows a 20-80% charge in 18 minutes and 10-80% in 20 minutes, outperforming many competitors using Volkswagen’s MEB platform. The larger Xpeng G6, which uses an 800-volt system, charges faster, but the L03’s performance is strong for its price.
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Xpeng did not sacrifice technology for affordability. The L03 features three displays, including a 15.6-inch central screen and a 26.8-inch head-up display. The “Ultra” trim adds two Turing AI chips, each capable of 750 tera-operations per second, powering the Next-Generation Pilot system. This combines camera and radar data with a language model to interpret traffic, though regulations limit it to Level 2+ automation in Germany until at least 2027.
Standard equipment across all models includes heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic roof, and the XOPERA sound system. The brand aims for a five-star Euro NCAP rating, with official results pending.
The L03 is currently the only product Xpeng plans to bring to Europe soon. The company’s broader vision—shared AI across cars, robots, and flying vehicles—remains under development.
A robot and a flying car, but not yet
The event also introduced the second generation of Xpeng’s humanoid robot.
The third part of Xpeng’s strategy involves Aridge, its flying car division. The “Land Aircraft Carrier” concept merges a six-wheeled ground vehicle with a detachable eVTOL module, offering a combined range of over 1,000km. While Aridge has announced series production in China for 2026 and secured a 600-vehicle order from the UAE, a European version is unlikely soon due to regulatory challenges.
Volkswagen’s five-percent investment in Xpeng highlights the value of their shared AI platform. For now, the L03 is the only part of that vision European buyers can experience.