Electric mobility in South Africa has long been stymied by a single, glaring barrier: price. While premium German crossovers have dominated the headline figures, budget-conscious buyers looking to make the green switch have had virtually no real options. Enter the Geely E2 Apex. Sitting at the sharp end of the new E2 range, this sub-R400k electric hatchback aims to shake up the local motoring landscape by offering a purpose-built EV platform, punchy rear-wheel-drive dynamics, and high-end cabin tech at the price of a traditional petrol hatchback.
Styling and Design
The Geely E2 Apex strikes a clean, modern silhouette that avoids the overly quirky look of early electric cars. Adopting Geely's "0.618 Golden Ratio" design language, the proportions are compact yet grounded, measuring 4,135 mm in length, 1,805 mm in width, and 1,580 mm in height, with a sweeping 2,650 mm wheelbase.
At the front, automatic feather-inspired LED headlights with sharp daytime running lights throw an impressive beam up to 170 metres down the road. Because the E2 is engineered strictly as an EV rather than adapted from an ICE vehicle, the front bay houses a practical 70-litre frunk, ideal for storing charging cables and smaller items. Upgrading to the flagship Apex trim replaces the base Aspire's 15-inch steel wheels with a set of 16-inch cloverleaf-style alloy wheels wrapped in 205/60 rubber, sitting at 155 mm of ground clearance.
Interior, Cabin Tech and Space
Step inside, and the E2 Apex cabin feels surprisingly open and airy. Vegan leatherette seats set a premium tone, complete with 6-way power adjustment for the driver, a wireless phone charger, and 256-colour ambient lighting.
Commanding the dashboard is a 14.6-inch HD touchscreen display running Geely’s responsive Flyme Auto software, alongside an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster for driver metrics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, paired with a clear 6-speaker sound system.
A standout feature on the Apex grade is its 360-degree panoramic camera system with a transparent chassis view, which uses underslung cameras to reveal obstacles directly beneath the car—a welcome addition when navigating tight city parking spaces or potholes.
Out back, the flat floor layout creates generous rear legroom for adult passengers. Rear boot space measures a respectable 375 litres, expanding to 1,320 litres when the 60:40 split-folding rear seats are dropped.
Battery, kWh, Charging Times & Running Costs
At the core of the E2 Apex lies a 39.4 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack. LFP chemistry offers high thermal stability, enhanced safety, and exceptional longevity across thousands of charge cycles. Geely claims a total WLTP driving range of 325 km with an average energy consumption rating of 15.2 kWh/100 km.
Charging Times (AC vs DC)
- 7 kW AC Home Wallbox: Charging from 10% to 100% takes approximately 6.5 hours, making full overnight home replenishment straightforward.
- 70 kW DC Public Fast Charger: For open-road trips, plugging into a DC fast charger takes the battery from 30% to 80% in 25 minutes.
Calculating Real-World Charging Costs in SA
Filling the 39.4 kWh battery from empty yields significant savings over conventional petrol options:
- Standard Home Electricity (~R3.18 / kWh): A full 0–100% charge costs roughly R125.29.
- Off-Peak / Time-of-Use Rate (~R1.89 / kWh): Charging overnight drops the cost for a full fill to R74.47.
- Public DC Fast Charger (~R5.80 / kWh): A full DC top-up costs approximately R228.52.
At an average efficiency of 15.2 kWh/100 km, driving 100 km in the E2 costs between R28.70 and R48.30 on home power. Compare that to a benchmark petrol hatchback using 6.5 L/100 km (costing over R145 per 100 km), and daily energy expenses drop by up to 70%. Additionally, the E2 Apex features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) outputting up to 3.3 kW, enabling owners to run standard appliances directly off the vehicle during load shedding or outdoors.
The Drive and Safety
Power goes exclusively to the rear wheels via an 85 kW / 150 Nm electric motor. While a 0–100 km/h time of 11.5 seconds won't rival high-performance EVs, instant off-the-line torque makes urban commuting feel punchy and responsive. The rear-wheel-drive configuration, paired with an independent multi-link rear suspension, delivers neutral handling, clean steering feel, and a tight 4.95-metre turning radius. Top speed is electronically capped at 130 km/h.
On the safety front, the Apex trim adds a full Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Verdict and Pricing
At R389 900, the Geely E2 Apex represents a watershed moment for affordable electric motoring in South Africa. Combining rich interior tech, low charging running costs, standard ADAS features, and an 8-year / 200 000 km battery warranty, it stands out as one of the most practical and well-equipped daily commuters in its price class.
