GEELY E2 Electric Hatchback Launches in Italy, Starting at €19,900 to Challenge BYD Dolphin

GEELY's all-new compact battery-electric hatchback, the E2, will make its European debut in Italy in October 2026, with a starting price of €19,900 (approx. RMB 156,000), squarely targeting Europe's mainstream sub-€20,000 BEV urban commuter segment — and going head-to-head with the BYDDolphin Surf (€19,790) and Citroen e-C3.

In China, the vehicle is marketed as the Xingyuan; it topped China's single-model sales charts in 2025 with 466,000 units sold, and delivered 161,000 units wholesale in the first five months of 2026 — maintaining its lead in the Chinese passenger vehicle market. In Europe, it adopts the unified name E2 (EX2 in the UK), emphasizing high value-for-money and practical packaging.

Data show that Europe's small-car segment saw overall sales decline 1.7% year-on-year to 789,900 units in the first five months of 2026 — but BEV sales surged 49% YoY to 98,200 units. The Renault 5 E-Tech led with 36,600 units, followed by the Citroen e-C3 (17,900 units, down 11% YoY) and BYD Dolphin Surf (15,100 units) — the latter having overtaken the Peugeot e-208 to become the third-best-selling BEV in this segment.

The European-market E2 features a CATL-supplied lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack rated at 40 kWh, delivering a CLTC-rated range of 410 km (255 miles) — a figure typically higher than WLTP-certified results used across Europe. It uses a rear-mounted single motor driving the rear wheels, producing up to 114 hp. The rear-motor layout frees up a 70-liter front trunk, complemented by a conventional 375-liter cargo bay — giving it a clear practicality edge over most front-wheel-drive rivals in its class.

Standard and optional equipment includes a 14.6-inch high-definition central touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, and an electric tailgate. Notably, GEELY has confirmed its brand will focus exclusively on the mass market, differentiating itself from premium group brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and LYNK&CO.

Beyond the E2, GEELY is rapidly expanding its European lineup: alongside the currently available EX5 compact SUV (1,921 units sold in the first five months) and Starray plug-in hybrid SUV (5,776 units), a mid-size PHEV SUV — monjaro — is slated for launch between late 2026 and early 2027. A dedicated small SUV, fully engineered for Europe, will also debut in 2027, offering full hybrid powertrain options.