Leapmotor Unveils New Tech in Next-Gen 2027 Models, Including Removing 12v Lead-Acid Battery

Leapmotor unveiled two major technologies that will underpin its next generation of electric vehicles beginning in 2027. The company introduced its LEAP 5.0 New Mobile Space Architecture and Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) 3.0 High-Low Fusion Battery during its 2026 Leapmotor Tech Day at its Hu Zhou Battery facility in Hangzhou. Stellantis reported the news on September 30, 2026.

Leapmotor says the technologies are designed to fundamentally change the electric vehicle experience, similar to the transition from traditional mobile phones to smartphones.

LEAP 5.0 is a purpose-built vehicle architecture focused on improving interior space, electrical efficiency and intelligent vehicle functions. A centrally integrated vehicle control system is designed to support electrification and autonomous driving technologies.

The architecture also introduces a 48-volt electrical system that reduces total vehicle wiring to less than 500 meters and cuts wiring-harness weight by up to 50%.

Leapmotor has integrated the air-conditioning system with the rear-mounted powertrain. The design increases cabin length by 19%, creating an additional 700 millimeters of interior space. It also reduces the number of components by 18% and cuts piping requirements by 30%.

A vertical shock absorber layout incorporates an aluminum tower to reduce intrusion into the cabin and increase front-row lateral legroom by 37.5%.

The new skateboard architecture also provides a higher roof and fully flat floor. Leapmotor says the design increases interior height by 63.7%, or approximately 70 millimeters, creating a more open, loft-style cabin with enough height for occupants to stand.

Leapmotor’s second major innovation is CTC 3.0 High-Low Fusion Battery, the latest generation of its package-less battery and power-supply technology.

CTC 3.0 integrates both high-voltage and low-voltage functions into the main battery pack, eliminating the need for a separate 12-volt auxiliary battery. Leapmotor says future models equipped with the system will become the first mass-produced road-going vehicles in more than 70 years to operate without a separate 12-volt battery.

Instead of relying on a standalone 12-volt battery, power from the vehicle’s main high-voltage battery is converted to operate low-voltage systems. Standardized cells, shared thermal management and energy distribution are managed through a unified battery-management system.

The system also maintains an essential reserve of energy even when the vehicle’s displayed state of charge reaches zero. That reserve supports functions such as switching the vehicle on and off and operating the central locking system.

Eliminating the separate 12-volt battery reduces weight and improves vehicle packaging while removing a component that typically requires periodic replacement. Leapmotor says the change can reduce maintenance requirements and costs over the vehicle’s lifetime while improving reliability.

The company also expects the technology to reduce battery-related waste. If deployed at large scale, eliminating separate lead-acid auxiliary batteries could prevent millions of those batteries from being needed annually.

The combination of LEAP 5.0 and CTC 3.0 represents Leapmotor’s next stage of in-house technology development. The company says the technologies will create electric vehicles with more interior space, reduced weight, fewer components, improved packaging and simplified maintenance.

The first Leapmotor models using the new technologies are scheduled to launch in 2027, with the company planning to make the technologies available across its global markets.

Leapmotor International is a 51/49 joint venture between Stellantis N.V. and Leapmotor. Founded in 2015, Leapmotor focuses on electric vehicles and technology-driven mobility solutions.

Leapmotor International began operations in Europe in September 2024 and in the United Kingdom in March 2025. It currently has more than 80 retailers in the UK and plans to increase that number to more than 100 by the end of 2026.

Its current product lineup includes the T03 urban A-segment EV, B10 C-segment SUV, C10 D-segment family SUV and B05 C-segment hatchback. The B03X B-segment SUV is also scheduled to launch before the end of 2026.

The Stellantis-led joint venture uses Stellantis’ global sales and after-sales network to deliver Leapmotor’s electric vehicles and technology to international markets.