Geely's E2 makes electric mobility more appealing
The South African automotive landscape has just shifted. With the official local launch of the Geely E2 hatchback, the title of the country's most affordable electric vehicle (EV) has officially changed hands. We drove the newcomer recently.
Kicking off at a startling R339 900 for the entry-level Aspire trim and topping out at R389 900 for the flagship Apex, Geely has intentionally aimed its crosshairs at its closest rival, the BYD Dolphin Surf. By undercutting the entry-level BYD by R2 000 and the top-spec version by R6 000, Geely has just entered the chat, and recent sales data suggest South Africans are open to affordable electric cars.
To understand how significant this launch is, one needs only look at the numbers. Geely sold roughly 600 000 of these hatchbacks in China last year alone (where it is badged as the Xingyuan). To put that staggering scale into perspective, this single Geely model outsold the entire South African new car market in 2025 (596 818 units). Local buyers have caught on immediately. Geely massively underestimated initial South African demand and is already navigating a backlog of 600 orders.
Relief is on the horizon, however, with over 1000 units arriving in June. Backing up this massive wave of interest is an incredibly aggressive retail expansion: Geely currently boasts 33 active dealerships across South Africa, with another 12 set to go online before the end of the year. I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong to be sceptical of the brand's arrival in the local market; they mean business.
Behind the wheel
On paper, both the Aspire and Apex models feature a rear-mounted electric motor pushing out 85 kW and 150 Nm of torque. While a 0–100 km/h sprint time of 11.5 seconds sounds modest, the instantaneous electric torque makes it feel incredibly punchy and responsive in real-world urban traffic.
The biggest surprise of our launch first drive came from the trip computer. While Geely officially claims an average power consumption of 15.2 kWh/100km, our test run achieved a highly impressive 12.3 kWh/100km. Squeezing out the 325 km (WLTP) range from the 39.4 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack seems entirely achievable if you drive with a light foot.
Dynamically, the E2 feels as compliant and planted as a Polo, only completely silent. It features a multi-link rear suspension setup and a rear-wheel-drive configuration; it handles well, all things considered. The steering is light and entirely uncorrupted by torque steer, while the ride is smooth, soaking up road imperfections that punch far above its price tag. I would happily pilot the E2 daily. Bear in mind that the top speed is said to be limited to 130 km/h; however, the brand provided access to a private road during the event, and GPS speed was confirmed at 137km/h before the car simply stopped accelerating.
How the Geely E2 compares with the BYD Dolphin Surf
To truly appreciate the value proposition, you have to look at how the Geely E2 completely dismantles the BYD Dolphin Surf across both trim tiers.
The Entry-Level Battle: Geely E2 Aspire vs. BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort
At the absolute entry point of the EV market, the compromises BYD forces you to make are starker than those in Geely's package.
Battery and range gap: BYD's battery is a 30.1 kWh unit, capping its range at 232–300 km. Geely, by contrast, offers a 39.4 kWh battery, netting a highly usable 300+ km range.
No performance penalty: BYD offers 55 kW (0–100 km/h in 14.2 seconds) while the Geely gives you 85 kW, and 0-100km/h in around 11 seconds. The Geely feels significantly faster.
Safety: BYD drops the airbag count to 4 in its base car. Geely keeps a strict standard of 6 airbags across the entire E2 range.
- Size: The Geely is longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase than the BYD.
The Flagship Showdown: Geely E2 Apex vs. BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic
Stepping up to the top-tier specifications, the Geely E2 Apex (R389 900) continues to aggressively out-spec the BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic (R395 900) for R6 000 less.
| Feature | Geely E2 Apex | BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic |
| Price | R389 900 | R395 900 |
| Power / Torque | 85 kW / 150 Nm | 55 kW / 135 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h Sprint | 11.5 seconds | 15.5 seconds |
| Drive Layout | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Boot Space | 375L + 70L (frunk) | 308L (No frunk) |
| Ground Clearance | 162 mm | 120 mm |
| Vehicle Warranty | 4-year / 150 000 km | 3-year / 100 000 km |
| Service Plan | 5-year / 100 000 km | 3-year / 60 000 km |
As the table demonstrates, the E2 Apex gives you significantly more power, a faster sprint time, better ground clearance for pothole-riddled South African roads, and vastly superior cargo flexibility.
Packaging and tech
Step inside the cabin, and the E2 welcomes you with solid build quality and tactile materials. The dashboard is dominated by a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen running Geely's Flyme Auto system, paired with an 8.8-inch digital driver display. The system works quite well, but too many vehicle functions rely on the screen, as seems to be the case with so many new cars. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also wired, with wireless not currently available.
The vehicle packaging is an absolute masterclass. Because the E2 is 210 mm longer than the Dolphin Surf and rides on a generous 2 650 mm wheelbase, legroom is excellent.
Practicality is solid, with a 375-litre boot (expanding to 1 320 litres) and a brilliant 70-litre frunk under the bonnet—perfect for stowing charging cables out of the way. The BYD offers a smaller 308-litre boot and completely lacks front storage.
Geely Finance is currently sweetening the deal by including a complimentary home wallbox charger, an emergency charger, and an R7 500 public charging card.
Aftersales
Vehicle warranty: 4-year / 150 000 km
Battery warranty: 8-year / 200 000 km
Service plan: 5-year / 100 000 km
Verdict
The E2 signals the democratisation of EVs in South Africa. The Geely, along with its BYD rival and the upcoming Chery Q, aim to dismantle the idea that buying an affordable electric vehicle means accepting compromises in battery range, performance, or safety. Whether you opt for the value of the entry-level Aspire or added tech in the Apex, Geely has delivered a vehicle that drives smoothly, sips battery power, and offers very good packaging. Backed by a globally expanding company and a rapidly expanding dealer network, the E2 is a great place to start your all-electric journey.
