Two of the most affordable electric cars on sale in Australia have earned the maximum five star safety rating under ANCAP's tougher new criteria. The Leapmotor B05 and the Geely EX2, both priced under $40,000, were rated five stars in results published on 2 September 2026.
A low price no longer means less safety
The Leapmotor B05 scored 92 per cent for adult occupant protection, while the Geely EX2 returned 79 per cent for its safe driving assistance systems. Both cars ship with emergency call (eCall) hardware as standard. The ratings were assessed under ANCAP's new Stages of Safety criteria, which raise the bar for both crash performance and active safety technology, so a five star result in 2026 is harder to earn than it was even a year ago.
Cartell Assessment
This is the clearest sign yet that the budget end of the EV market has closed the safety gap. Buyers once had to weigh a low price against a compromise on protection. Cars like the B05 and EX2 remove that trade off, and they put real pressure on established brands charging more for the same result.
AU Outlook
Expect safety to become a sharper marketing weapon for the value brands, and watch for more sub $40,000 EVs chasing the same five star badge as ANCAP keeps tightening the criteria.
