Johannesburg, South Africa – 05 February 2025 – Leapmotor at Stellantis South Africa today announced a partnership agreement with boutique car rental company, Drive Electric, to make premium electric mobility more accessible to local driving consumers. Drive Electric brands itself as South Africa’s first vehicle rental provider with an exclusively EV fleet.
A ‘power’ partnership
As part of the agreement, Leapmotor will supply Drive Electric with a fleet of Leapmotor C10 REEV. These vehicles will be added to Drive Electric’s existing electric fleet, strengthening the company’s ability to deliver premium rental, executive transport and chauffeur-driven services built around electric mobility.
“Leapmotor represents a new generation of intelligent electric vehicles that align closely with Drive Electric’s vision of premium, tech-forward mobility,” says Janus Janse van Rensburg, Head of Marketing and Sales for Leapmotor at Stellantis South Africa.
“The C10 REEV is designed around real-world electric use,” Van Rensburg says. “It enables full electric commuting while providing the confidence of extended range for longer journeys, supported by advanced technology and a refined interior experience.”
For Drive Electric, the partnership supports its strategy of delivering seamless electric mobility at scale. “We chose to partner with Leapmotor because of their world-renowned innovative mobility solutions, aiming to shape the future of transport and electric mobility,” says Chris O’Connor, Founder and CEO of Drive Electric.
“For premium rental and chauffeur-driven services like ours, reliability, range and passenger experience are critical. The C10 REEV delivers on all three through top-tier comfort, advanced safety and intuitive smart technology,” O’Connor says.
Designed for electric driving in South African conditions
The Leapmotor C10 REEV operates exclusively as an electric vehicle, driven by an electric motor, while a 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine is used as a generator to maintain battery charge when needed. This enables everyday electric driving while extending the range for longer journeys, without having to search for charging stations along the route.
With an electric-only range suited to daily commuting and a combined range approaching 1 000 km with generator assistance, the C10 REEV bridges the gap between full battery electric vehicles and conventional hybrids. Fast DC charging enables rapid top-ups, while AC charging supports convenient overnight charging.
Premium comfort and intelligent technology
Inside, the Leapmotor C10 REEV offers a spacious five-seat cabin designed around comfort, connectivity and refinement. High-quality materials, power-adjustable seating and advanced climate control contribute to a calm and comfortable environment.
The digital cockpit features a large central infotainment display, intuitive smart controls and over-the-air software updates, making sure the vehicle stays current throughout its life. There’s also a comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver assistance systems to support confident and relaxed driving.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV is integrated into the Drive Electric rental platform (www.driveelectric.co.za) and will soon be available to customers in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa.
Sneaky Lady
Growing population and insufficient status quo – Currently water and electricity coverage, along with housing, waste management, infrastructure and health care is insufficient to meet the needs of the South African population. The population growth and urbanization in South Africa will amplify current demand in the future, and the gaps hold business opportunities for Danish companies.