Cool New Leapmotor A05 Can Be Reserved For 99 Yuan ($15)

This one isn't really about home energy upgrades, but here's what happened. Chinese automaker Leapmotor has opened reservations for a new electric compact car called the A05. You can hold a spot with a deposit of 99 yuan, about $15. Pricing for the car itself hasn't been announced yet. For comparison, Leapmotor's smaller A10 model launched earlier this year at roughly $9,725 to $12,830.

The A05 is a small hatchback, about 4.2 meters long, with two battery options: 39.8 kWh or 53 kWh, both using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, a battery type known for being durable and lower-cost. Range runs from about 252 to 317 miles depending on the battery. Fast charging can take the battery from 30% to 80% in 16 minutes. The car also comes with a large infotainment screen and, as an option, lidar sensors that support advanced parking and driving assistance.

None of this is available to US homeowners right now, since the car is being launched and sold in China. It has no connection to home energy programs, rebates, or electrification incentives. If you're weighing an electric vehicle purchase as part of a broader plan to cut home energy costs, such as pairing an EV with solar panels or a heat pump, this particular model isn't a near-term option, but it's a sign that battery technology and pricing for small EVs keep improving.