- Geely-owned automotive brand, Lynk & Co, has revealed its first fully-electric car destined for Europe, the 02.
- Prices are set to start at a reasonable €35,495, but the manufacturer is hoping to make the 02 more accessible through a number of purchase methods.
- The EV will also be available on subscription and lease basis, whilst owners will be able to activate a car sharing function – allowing strangers to drive their EV, in return for money.
Lynk & Co’s first BEV for Europe
With its compact SUV shape, 445km / 275 miles range, and starting price of €35,495, the Lynk & Co 02 will go right up against EVs such as the Volvo EX30, which the 02 shares much of its underpinnings with, the Renault Megane E-Tech, and the recently-revealed Skoda Elroq. It’s the first fully-electric car the brand has launched in Europe, with its first European-bound model, the Lynk & Co 01, being a plug-in hybrid. Keeping it simple, there’s just one powertrain option: A 272 horsepower electric motor, delivering 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds – more than plenty.
Crucially, with the 02, Lynk & Co is trying to democratise EV ownership, by giving a wide range of options to get behind the wheel. Not only are lease and month-by-month subscriptions available, but owners of an 02 can put their car up on the Lynk & Co app, for strangers to pay to borrow. This scheme has already been run on its 01 PHEV, and with currently hourly borrowing prices around the €10 mark on those, we can expect similar pricing for the 02. If this means someone that’s potentially never driven an EV can borrow one for that little money, it could be a key entry point into experiencing an EV for the first time. Plus, by making the owner money, it effectively brings down that initial purchase cost. Lynk & Co notes that the average car is left undriven and stationary, 96% of the time. This whole service is, of course, optional for owners, with a ‘hire’ tag pulled inside the vehicle to enable and disable its availability to others.
Order books for the 02 have already opened across European territories. That doesn’t include the right-hand-drive UK, but being based on the same Geely SEA platform as the EX30, which is offered in the UK, this could be a geographical expansion for Lynk & Co that we would see in the near future
Nicolas López Appelgren, CEO of Lynk & Co International, commented:
“The all-new 02 represents the next phase for Lynk & Co. We are expanding our business model, growing our product portfolio, and venturing into new markets. These strategic steps underscore Lynk & Co’s commitment to providing greater choice, flexibility, and access for our customers.”
