Stockholm's Electric Vehicle Expo Aims to Attract New Visitors

The Electric Vehicle Expo, Ecar Expo, is set to open its doors to the public this Saturday at the Stockholm Fairgrounds, with heightened security measures in place following recent activist actions against Tesla's displays in the city. The expo is not solely focused on Tesla and its revamped Model Y SUV, which has been under scrutiny, but aims to showcase a range of electric vehicle brands, particularly those emerging from China.

Among the standout brands at the expo are Xpeng and Geely, which is showcasing several of its electric vehicle models, including Zeekr, Lynk & Co, Smart, and Lotus. Notably absent from the event is Geely-owned Volvo Cars, which has restricted its presence at auto shows to only those held in China.

A significant trend at this year's expo is the introduction of challengers to Tesla's popular Model Y, especially in light of new EU tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China. The entry-level version of the Model Y is priced at approximately 555,000 SEK, featuring rear-wheel drive and a range of up to 550 kilometers.

In contrast, Geely's Zeekr brand has introduced its 7X electric SUV, priced from 579,000 SEK. This model, equipped with a more affordable LPF battery manufactured within the Geely family, offers a range of up to 480 kilometers. Despite its luxury positioning, the price reflects the need to offset higher EU tariffs.

At the Xpeng booth, the G6 model is making its debut, resembling the Tesla Model Y closely and starting at 529,900 SEK. Although it has yet to hit the market in significant numbers, it is seen as a potential competitor to Tesla.

Also featured are smaller electric vehicles in the compact class, with models priced around 300,000 SEK. The Hyundai Inster, for example, is being touted as a viable option at a starting price of 299,900 SEK, complete with practical features like a standard power outlet in the dashboard.

Geely's Lynk & Co has faced challenges in recent years, lacking new models and maintaining a costly exhibition space in central Stockholm. However, they are showcasing the new model 02, built on the same platform as the Volvo EX30, with a starting price of 429,000 SEK. This model offers a longer range than its Volvo counterpart and is positioned as a more premium option, although prices could have been lower without the EU tariffs.

The largest exhibit belongs to Polestar, another Geely brand, although it has not introduced any new offerings at this year's expo.

While many major automotive brands are missing from this year's event, the successful execution of such an expo in Sweden signifies a positive development for the automotive industry, especially as several prominent auto shows around the world are being canceled.

• Venue: Stockholm Fairgrounds, Älvsjö
• Open to the Public: April 5 and 6
• Exhibitors Include: Lotus, Volkswagen, Skoda, Xpeng, Zeekr, Porsche, Polestar, Ford, Hyundai, and Tesla