Two budget-priced Chinese-made electric cars, the Leapmotor B05 and the Geely EX2, have both been awarded five-star safety ratings by ANCAP (Australia's New Car Assessment Program), tested under ANCAP's new, tougher "Stages of Safety" criteria introduced this year, aligned with Euro NCAP's 2026 protocol.

The confirmed figures: ANCAP's own media release records a Crash Protection score of 92% for the Leapmotor B05, and a Safe Driving score of 79% for the Geely EX2, genuine, independently tested results, not manufacturer marketing claims.

Why it's worth including: this newsletter's standing position is fair and evidence-based, pushing back on overstated EV claims where the data doesn't support them, but reporting genuine wins the same way. A cheap EV matching the crash safety of pricier models, confirmed by Australia's own independent safety body, is exactly that kind of story.

A relevant quote: ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg: "These results show that choosing a more affordable electric vehicle doesn't have to mean compromising on safety."

The bottom line: verified directly against ANCAP's own release. A real, well-earned five stars.