EX2 set to battle other China-sourced cheapies.

ANOTHER Chinese brand has rolled up its sleeves to chase budget electric car buyers.

Introduction of the Geely EX2 adds extra competition to a market zone that until now has been shared by the BYD Atto 1 and Dongfeng Box.

In pricing the entry EX2 at $32,990 plus on roads, Geely distributor Nordeast has gone dollar-for-dollar against the latter, but still sits $2k above the cheapest version of the Atto 1.

Geely will remind that it’s product is dimensionally larger, more in keeping with the MG4 Urban and GAC Aion UT, which are close to the $40k bracket.

The base EX2 labels as the Complete, but isn’t quite that as it comes with a 35.4kWh LFP battery unit and an electric motor producing 60kW of power and 150Nm of torque and a claimed range of 252km. You’d call it city-centric.

The alternate $37,990 EX2 Inspire seems better equipped for more adventurous running as it has a 47.1kWh LFP battery pack that allows for 345kms’ driving before exhaustion, this range also based on WLTP evaluation.

While torque is the same as from the entry car, the Inspire is also more complete for power, with output increased to 85kW.

The smaller battery can be DC fast charged at up to 60kW; the larger at up to 80kW. Both can be AC charged at up to 6kW.

The EX2 sits on the same ‘Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture’ (GEA) platform as Geely’s larger EX5 and Starray siblings, and it’s rear-wheel drive.

It measures 4135mm long, 1805mm wide, 1580mm tall and rides on a 2650mm-long wheelbase.

The amorphous shape delivers a 70-litre front boot, while its rear boot measures 375 litres with the rear seats up and 1320 litres with the rear seats folded. Geely says that it also features a lot of interior storage, including a 10-litre sliding glovebox.

While the EX2 Complete quirkily goes a touch retro by sporting 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps - whereas the Inspire is on same-sized alloys - the type is packed with modern tech.

Across both cars are 14.6-inch touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay, ISOFIX points in the outboard back seats, leatherette upholstery, and factory satnav.

Also onboard is Geely’s Connected Services suite, which includes a 4G network connection, live traffic data, over-the-air updates, the ability to download apps, online media streaming and voice assistant.

Inspire added in a black contrast roof, power tailgate, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, wireless phone charger and ambient lighting.

Those who query the dynamic aptitude of China’s products might be keen to know EX2s sent to this region take a ride and handling tune developed in collaboration with Geely Technology Europe (formerly Lotus Tech Innovation Centre GmbH).

There are no cited crash test scores.

Nordeast has not shared volume aspiration, but potentially all contenders at this end of the pricing scale will be hoping to persuade some level of abdication from those keeping faith with the now defunct, utterly outmoded Nissan Leaf - comfortably the biggest national EV ownership portfolio, built almost wholly upon used import products.