As diesel prices flirt with the R40/litre mark and the cost of living remains stubbornly high, the value proposition of entry-level EVs in South Africa has never been sharper. Geely Auto seems to have read this room perfectly and is doubling down on accessibility.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the new Geely E2. The immediate verdict? This isn’t just the cheapest electric car in the country; it might be the most cleverly packaged urban runabout to launch this year.
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Sliding into the E2, the first thing that strikes you is the space. Sitting on a dedicated EV platform with a 2 650 mm wheelbase, the cabin feels substantially larger than the compact 4 135 mm length suggests. Rear legroom is genuinely competitive with class leaders like the Polo, debunking the myth that budget EVs must punish rear passengers.
Geely has made an intriguing engineering choice here: Rear-Wheel Drive. With 85 kW and 150 Nm on tap, the E2 isn't going to win any drag races (0-100km/h takes a claimed 11,5 seconds), but the RWD setup offers a surprisingly tight turning circle. Threading through the narrow alleys of a Johannesburg security estate or navigating the taxi mayhem at taxi ranks feels effortless.
The suspension tune is compliant. While the multi-link rear setup usually reserved for the Apex model handles mid-corner bumps with a maturity you don’t expect at this price point. It soaks up bumps without the harshness often found in budget-oriented city cars.
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Inside, the E2 takes a page from the premium playbook. The 14,6-inch infotainment display is massive for this segment, running Geely’s Flyme Auto system. It boots up quickly and mirrors my Android Auto without lag, a small victory for sanity during the morning commute.
However, the killer feature for the South African context is the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability. In a country currently navigating an energy crisis, the ability to unplug from the grid and power a kettle, a television, or a set of office monitors during Stage 4 load-shedding transforms this car from a mere mobility tool into a mobile backup generator. It’s a psychological salve that internal combustion engines simply cannot offer.
Practicality is abundant. The 375-litre boot is standard hatchback fare, but the 70-litre ‘frunk’ (front trunk) is a game-changer. It is the perfect size for the emergency charger cables and a takeaway bag, keeping your cabin free of clutter.
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The E2 houses a 39,4 kWh LFP battery. With a claimed WLTP range of 325 km, real-world driving in Gauteng’s stop-start traffic and highway runs suggests a usable 280-300 km is achievable. For the daily commute from Fourways to the CBD, that translates to a full week of driving without plugging in.
The DC charging capability (30%-80% in 25 minutes) is rapid enough for a quick top-up at a mall charger while you grab a coffee, though the lack of a sprawling public charging network remains a national issue, not a car issue. For the suburban homeowner, the included Wallbox charger makes overnight AC charging (6,5 hours) a painless routine.
Pricing is where Geely has swung the heaviest hammer. At R339 900 for the Aspire, it undercuts the BYD Dolphin Surf by R2 000, claiming the title of SA’s cheapest EV.
The R389 900 Apex asks a R50 000 premium, but the shopping list is compelling: 16-inch alloys, vegan leather, a 360-degree camera and crucially, the ADAS suite (Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, AEB).
For the financially savvy, the numbers work hard. The complimentary Wallbox and the R7 500 charging voucher (on financed units) sweeten the pot significantly.
Geely backs the gamble with a 4-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty and an 8-year/200 000 km battery warranty. That battery peace of mind is non-negotiable in the used market. However, brand perception remains the elephant in the room. Geely is re-establishing itself, and while the product is strong, residual values are a bet on the brand’s longevity, whereas Toyota and VW remain the safe banks.
The Geely E2 is not trying to conquer the open road; it is designed to conquer the suburb. It recognizes that South Africans need affordable mobility, but it refuses to sacrifice tech or space to get there.
It offers the perfect solution for the two-car household looking to sideline a petrol guzzler for school runs and office commutes, or for the first-time buyer who wants the lowest cost of ownership possible without driving a penalty box. Geely didn't just launch an affordable EV; they launched a very smart one.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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