Chinese EV maker Leapmotor joins forces with connected car services provider Parkopedia to offer seamless in-car charging information for international drivers, starting with the B10 crossover at the IAA Mobility 2025 event.
Shanghai-based Leapmotor, a fast-growing Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, is planning to give its international drivers a better charging experience through a new partnership with Parkopedia, a company known for providing connected car services worldwide. The collaboration will begin with the B10 crossover, which was first showcased at the Paris Motor Show last year, and it’s set to be featured at the IAA Mobility 2025 event in Munich. The main goal here—to start late 2025—is to offer seamless in-car EV charging services outside China.
Parkopedia will bring its suite of advanced EV charging features—covering static, real-time updates, and tariff information—directly into Leapmotor's vehicle head units. Basically, these services will let drivers find and navigate to charging stations easily, while also giving them accurate, up-to-date information about costs. That way, drivers can choose the most budget-friendly charging options or take advantage of perks offered by providers—like loyalty rewards or specific charging cards—making the process less stressful and generally more convenient.
Honestly, this tackles a pretty big pain point for EV owners: the worry about charging. Recent global surveys show that over 90% of EV drivers in Europe and the US are concerned about whether they'll find enough charging stations and how much it might cost. Plus, 60% of those surveyed think that having reliable, accurate charging data is really important. Parkopedia’s integration aims to reduce these worries by providing detailed info—like the exact locations of charge points, the types of connectors, and how fast charging occurs—all without distracting drivers during their trips.
Leapmotor’s ambitions to go international are part of a broader plan to establish itself more strongly in global markets. The B10 crossover, priced around $15,115 to $17,870 in China, is fitted with lidar sensors and urban smart-driving features—like autonomous urban navigation—which are expected to be available by the end of 2025 through over-the-air updates, pending regulatory approval. The company, which has received a hefty $1.6 billion investment from Stellantis (which owns a 21% stake in Leapmotor International), is expanding its footprint into Europe and beyond. There are plans to produce the B10 locally in Zaragoza, Spain, starting early 2026—this move being part of a strategy to better adapt supply chains and manufacturing to meet European demand.
Leapmotor has already begun selling two models in the UK through Stellantis dealerships, and the B10 SUV is expected later in 2025. The partnership with Parkopedia will complement these efforts by adding value through connected services—which, let’s face it, are increasingly becoming decisive factors for consumers choosing between EV brands. Plus, this partnership also boosts Parkopedia’s standing within the larger Arrive global mobility platform network, marking a major milestone in helping Chinese EV makers expand application-wise and push forward their software-driven vehicle innovations.
Back home in China, Leapmotor’s been pretty quick off the mark—delivering about 8,000 B10 SUVs in just 13 days, more than half equipped with lidar tech. That’s a clear sign of strong consumer interest in more advanced features. The company is also working with FAW, a veteran Chinese automaker, to supply the B10 platform for a new Hongqi electric SUV aimed at international markets including Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Known for blending affordability with high-tech features, Leapmotor has attracted the eyeballs of other premium manufacturers; there are even talks with Ferrari about potential platform collaborations.
All in all, this mix of innovative vehicle tech, strategic international manufacturing, and enhanced in-car connected services really shows how Leapmotor is positioning itself to compete effectively in the increasingly competitive global EV scene. It's quite an exciting strategy—don’t you think?
Source: Noah Wire Services
