Aluminum Alloy is also offered in this EV. if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} SHUHEI YAMADA, Nikkei Asia Tech chief editor December 20, 2021 11:23 JST. And with such small wheels, you feel every pothole, all the more so given the poorly padded seats. Wuling had always produced microvans aimed at rural farmers and commercial buyers, so producing the Mini EV was a surprising move. After all, the automobile is just 2,921 millimeters long, or less than 3 meters. In his spare time Derek loves chasing automotive rabbits down the hole. At the very first look, the car also looks small than usual cars. We don't mean the $4500 Wuling Hongguang Mini EV that Youtube dutifully trotted out as a Tesla killer in the last couple of months, but a whole bunch of Geely Group cars wearing various badges including Lynk & Co. Get in the comments and let us know which ones we missed or how wrong we were about the ones we haven't. It wouldn't be cheap, but the Master's reputation for being loud when fitted with a diesel might tip a few buyers over the line. s.type = 'text/javascript'; Last year the Hongguang Mini EV was Chinas best selling pure electric car with roughly 426,000 sales, well ahead of the considerably more expensive .css-vurnku{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;min-width:0;}Tesla Model 3 (321,000). The SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture has produced one of the most successful electric cars in China, the Wuling Hong Guan Mini EV.This electric car is so popular among Chinese drivers that Wuling is . Nissan's Leaf remains the cheapest electric car in the US market, with the entry-level model priced at $20,875 (after the $7,500 federal tax credit). Even though you cannot buy this car outside of China, if we had to rate it on WIRED's scoring system, we'd charitably give it a 5 out of 10 (Wired: Bargain basement price for an EV. The battery is barely bigger than your phone's at 5.5kWh and the top speed roughly comparable to jogging, but if you've seen Sydney or Melbourne Saturday traffic 45km/h is a distant dream. Notably, the upscale variant of the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV will have a slightly larger body as the wheelbase grows from 76.4 to 79.1 inches. But thanks to the 1,621 mm height, the Mini EV is actually taller than it is wide, so head room is reasonable. The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone. [CDATA[ */ It was developed by General Motors, Wuling Motors and state-sponsored SAIC Motor. According to Nikkei Asia, 112,000 units of the Hong Guang Mini EV were sold in China between July and the end of 2020, making it the country's second best-selling EV after the Tesla Model 3. However, as a low-cost start to electric family transportation, the automobile is far superior to a scooter or motorbike. This EV is not available outside China, but we got behind the wheel of the luxury Macaron version in China to see if this super-cheap electric car was any good, and what US and European manufacturers could learn about how to make more affordable electric cars. Earlier this month five Chinese. Derek Fung would love to tell you about his multiple degrees, but he's too busy writing up some news right now. The Macaron is a more luxury and personalized model with modified darkened LED headlights, two-tone alloy wheels, and unique body colors. The Mini EV is equipped with a 9.2kWh battery capable of a NEDC range of 120km (75mi) or a 13.8kWh battery capable of a NEDC range of 170km (110mi). While power isn't cheap in our privatised power nirvana our politicians were so keen to sell us, it is increasingly moving to renewable sources. MacOS may be the apple of your eye, but some of its stock apps are a little rotten. Bit of a slam dunk this one. }; The company had teased a convertible model at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show in April, and claimed that the car would go into production sometime next year. While there is a hatch at the back, there is no real trunk to speak of. Aesthetically, the production vehicle is unlikely to change dramatically from its concept form. The EV has a lot more room in this arrangement. Its curb weight is around 665 kg. The hardtop model starts at 28,000, or about A$6,177, and has a range of 169 km. But as a cheap introduction to electric family motoring, the car is infinitely safer and better than a scooter or motorbike. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); Your email address will not be published. Latvian-based armoured vehicle manufacturer Dartz last year confirmed it had signed an agreement to import the electric micro car to Europe. When compared to one of the cheapest EVs on the market in the United States, the almost $28,000 Nissan Leaf, it's simple to understand why. But the two-tone paint is still kind of here! Tesla Teased A Wireless Home Charging Solution On Investor Day, Rad Power Unveils The RadRunner 3 Plus Electric Utility Bike, Scout Motors Will Build Electric Trucks And SUVs In South Carolina, 741 liters of space with the rear seats folded down, 2,917 millimeters long, 1,493 millimeters wide and 1,621 millimeters high, with a 1,940-millimeter wheelbase. Take a bite of these third-party apps instead. In 2003, China became, for a time, the second-largest single market for GM, selling Chinese-only versions of Buicks and launching Chevrolet in the jurisdiction in 2005. This screenoffers basic information such as speed, range, and electricity consumption, along with a natty 3D rendering of the Mini EV. It can be charged using a normal 220-240V outlet. var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; With fossil fuel prices soaring, its hardly surprising that most markets are crying out for cheaper EVs. China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data has revealed that the Hong Guang Mini EV . It would be easy to compare the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV unfairly with pricier and better-equipped cars. It also features 12 storage spaces. Standard features in China reportedly include air conditioning, rear parking sensors, anti-lock brakes, and a stereo system. Despite its compact dimensions the Hongguang Mini EV has four seats. Marketed as 'commuting tool,' Hong Guang Mini outsells the Model 3. Luxury is relative, especially when you are dealing with a car as bare-bones as the original Mini EV. First, the driving position is very high and the seats are non-height-adjustable. The production model probably wont get the body-coloured mirror, either. Click for Comparison rate warning and T&Cs. The four-seat Hong Guang Mini, which has top speeds of 62 mph and an estimated cruising range of 120 miles, is being made as a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Liuzhou Wuling Motors, and. '&l=' + l : ''; Your email address will not be published. Externally, the Macaron version distinguishes itself from the standard Mini EV with a choice of funky pastel colors. form, despite all indications pointing to its untimely end. Although not as uncomfortable as first expected, the offset pedal position gets tiring after an hour. Charging cables fill up the space at the bottom of the boot. As of January2022[update], sales since inception have passed 500,000 units, and the Mini EV has become the best-selling electric car in China. The Mini EV Cabrio: Wuling unveiled the Mini EV Cabrio, a convertible version of the Mini EV with a folding soft top, at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2021. All rights reserved. Can seat four. Information regarding this small but impressive electric car that is a part . As a result, Ford Australia's first electric car is going to be a van, the e-Transit. A joint venture between GM and Chinese businesses Wuling and SAIC saw the introduction of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV in July 2020. Gear can make or break your home office setup. A few-times heavier standard car would potentially destroy the Wuling in a similar way as the neighborhood EV was destroyed. State-backed SAIC-GM-Wuling, a company partly owned by GM,. Cheap Minicar Might Spur Europe's Electric Car Mass Market", "GM's All-New Wuling MINI EV GameBoy Edition Revealed", "Wuling Hongguang MINI EV Game Boy Edition Arrives At The Dealer In China", "Chinese 3,200 budget electric car takes on Tesla", "China: Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Amazes With 35,000+ Sales In December", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wuling_Hongguang_Mini_EV&oldid=1137755227, 15kW (20hp; 20PS) or 20kW (27hp; 27PS) or 30kW (40hp; 41PS), This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 07:37. VW is so far resisting calls to bring the Golf-sized ID.3 here to Australia, citing Government policy as a blocker. However, cramming folks into those back seats isn't exactly pleasant. /* ]]> */ As EVs make their inroads, the little Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV is leading the way. Get weekly updates with the latest car news and reviews. it has halogen headlamps and halogen bulbs in indicators and rear lights. Little safety equipment. Nikrob was a temporary inter-step, says company founder Leonard Yankelovich. I know Id rather have to change out that tiny bulb when it goes out than have to mess with an entire LED array. The 27 Best Mac Apps That Will Make Your Life Easier. The batterys functions can be remotely monitored via a smartphone app. Mechanically, the Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron is equipped with a small electric motor that generates 20 kW (27 horsepower) and 85 Nm (62.7 pound-feet) of torque, up from the 13-kW (17.4-horsepower . With our Prime Minister embarrassing himself at COP26 by walking down the steps from his plane waving a piece of paper guaranteeing net-zero by relying on technology that is either discredited (carbon capture and storage) or non-existent (TBA), it's up to the states to make electric vehicles appealing. The bestselling Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) in China, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV has found its way to Thailand. The Lightning would appeal to tradies and adventurers with a solid (if unspectacular) driving range, but its clever vehicle-to-load setup will make work and campsites much easier places to be. Dismiss, Left Hand Drive Only (steering wheel on left), (shipping, duties, taxes in your country additional), Exterior dimensions: 2,917 mm long x 1,493 mm wide x 1,621 mm high, Maximum power:13 kW(4 seat) / 9.2 kW (2 seat), Range:170 km on a single charge (4 seat) / 120 km (2 seat). All the Settings You Should Change on Your New Samsung Phone, Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs, What to Do When Netflix Wont Let You Share Your Password, The 12 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride, The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid). } )( window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-WT4MKNJ' ); Being two-seaters, theyve never really sold well, but the E300 (aka Kiwi EV) in many ways replicates the Mini EV formula, except it costs around twice as much and features a chunky robot-like appearance and desirable features such as fast charging. Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. Sport mode appears to be the superior option, offering significantly faster acceleration and more obvious brake regeneration. SHANGHAI - Wuling launched the Hong Guang MINI EV today. Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor delivering 27 hp of power and 85 Nm of torque. Australia's list of on-sale electric vehicles is growing at a glacial pace. . /* ]]> */ It was first manufactured and delivered sometime in July 2020. A shame, but if it could land at a mid-$30k price point, French car fans are just mad enough to do it. It's highly likely theCabrio will share the fixed-roof model's same powertrain. Whether you want a new keyboard or a robot vac, theres something for everyone. It loses the LED side strip, but gets a side marker in return. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. EV Charging explained: Home and public charging, power levels and plugs, Australia's EV policies: What's happening in each state and territory in 2021 UPDATED, No ICE reduction target included in Australia's net zero 2050 plan. According to The Verge, more than 36,000 of the tiny cars were sold in January compared to nearly 21,500 Model 3s, and the Hong Guang sold just more than 20,000 units in February compared to just under 13,700 Tesla 3s. But increased battery costs have seen prices rise by around $1,000. Production will initially be limited to between 100 and 200 cars per month. Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers, Tesla details Model Y suspension changes, more updates coming, Mazda's largest SUV here in August with hybrid-beating efficiency. Yes, I wish to receive exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions from our partners. It would cost more to spec the cigar humidor glove box option on a Rolls-Royce or add Apple CarPlay to a Ferrari than to buy the Mini EV outright. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. China's best-selling EV is tiny and incredibly affordable, and will soon become one of the few convertible EVs available today, or ever. With a modest 80kW, but reasonable 280Nm, the E-NV200 would be extremely cheap to run. One-pedal driving is not really possible, as the car simply takes too long to slow downprobably because it only weighs 700 kg (1,543 lbs). [25], "Popular Wuling EVs to hit global markets in 2022", "SGMW to unveil Wuling brand's first two-seater NEV model 'NanoEV', "The tiny Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV costs just P200,000", "Tiny Wuling Hongguang Mini EV Has Locked In 50,000 Orders", "China: Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Sets Massive Sales Record", "This Adorable Four Seat Electric Hatchback is Selling Like Crazy in China", "Check Out This Must-See Review Of The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV", "Wuling Mini EV gets a long-range version of 280 km range", "GM scores a bestseller in China with $4,200 electric micro car", "Dongfeng Fengguang MINI EV official images released", "Worry For The Wuling MINI EV (or not): BAW S3 & S5 Mini EVs Unveiled", "New Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron Launches In China", "Wuling Launches Hong Guang MINIEV Cabrio in China", "Chinese/U.S. NEDC Range (km) 170 (13.8 kWh) & 120 (9.2 kWh), Cutting Edge Mini City EV the Hong Guang MINI EV has a practical small on the outside, big on the inside design, Be the first to review Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. "The sales of the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV exceeded 15,000 units within only 20 days after it hit the market at the Chengdu Motor Show that kicked off on July 24, the first mini-sized EV. There are also Isofix child-seat attachments, and the seats are indeed best for childrenthe lack of real headrests for adults makes any extended trip a strain. Despite its ultra-compact dimensions, it somehow boasts 741 liters of storage space (with the rear seats folded) and 12 storage compartments. It's time for car companies to step up and offer us some product that we all know would fly off the forecourts. s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); In December, GM announced that Mahmoud Samara, a VP for Cadillac North America, had been made president of GM Europe. These are very limited, with three dials for climate control and a very small LCD screen for the radio. img#wpstats{display:none} Let us know if you think we could be doing something better. This electric car is so popular among Chinese drivers that Wuling is making a cabrio model for 2022 despite convertibles not selling well in the country, as Car News China reports. China Sends a Warning to the U.S. About Domestic EV Battery Production, Global EV Adoption Hits New High of 20 Million Thanks to Tiny Electric Cars, Electric Cars Sold In Record Numbers Globally In 2021, A Serious Threat to Tesla Emerges in Nissan. The electric motor that comes in this Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is 20 kW. var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], This is enough to accommodate two 26-inch suitcases or a stroller. [5], The Mini EV can seat four people, and standard features including air conditioning, power windows, stereo system, storage and compartments. The Hong Guang MINI EV has a top speed of about 100 km/h, seats four and looks like a Japanese kei car. f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); The Hong Guang Mini EV electric hatchback launched in July 2020 and is manufactured through a joint venture between China's Wuling, Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor, and General. A Detailed Look At The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, The Tata Avinya Concept Puts India On The Global EV Map. If you're stuck in a lift with us for long enough we will start trying to convince you that EV uptake will not be led by private buyers, but by tradies and small business. Priced this low, there is not much insulating the car from road noise. margin-top: -19px; The same is not said for the steering, which is quite sloppy. It is legal to drive on public roads, despite its wheels being just 12 inches in diameter and having a peak speed of only 62 miles per hour. Copyright Drive.com.au 2023ABN: 84 116 608 158. Of course there are more out there and many of them will come from China. One of China's biggest automotive companiesin 2021 it. The compact dimensions make it ideal for urban commuting and parking in tight spaces, yet the interior still has up to 741 liters of space with the rear seats folded down. The model is equipped with the BMS intelligent battery management system, as well as low-temperature pre-heating technology and battery insulation. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); The Nissan E-NV200 might not be much of a looker, but on paper it's a brilliant city van like the Peugeot Partner or VW Caddy. A few videos of the convertible circulated around since then, but not much else besides the statement from Wuling. The driver would have a chance to survive with some leg and head injury. The vehicle comes with an intelligent battery management system which can monitor the battery status in real-time. The Blue Oval is keen to woo those who carry gear around for a living and knows that these folks are offended by the cost of fuel. The Hong Guang Mini EV's convenience and low price have made it . The overall looks of the car seem to be very simple and boxy. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; The Macaron is a customized version that is available with three exclusive paint colors and more standard features. A single electric motor sends 13kW to the rear wheels, and voltage is drawn from a 9.2kWh lithium-polymer battery, permitting a claimed range of 120km. The steering is imprecise and when cornering at over 30mph you feel as if youre fighting the cars inertia. Recently we came across a crash test conducted earlier this year in China, which might give us glimpses of what to expect. The Mini EV is therefore likely to have issues more frequently, but it will also be cheaper to repair. With no fast-charging capability, you really are stuck using the Mini EV as a city car. We're here to help you find the right slate for your needs. The Macaron is a customized model with three unique paint colors and additional standard features. Owner Shares The Good And Bad, US: Ford Significantly Increased BEV Sales In February 2023. The production version vehicle body design is based on Mini EV GameBoy Edition and was launched in September 2022. [21], With six months in the market, the Mini EV sold 119,255 units in 2020, and ranked as China's and the world's second best selling plug-in car after the Tesla Model 3. More car parks, EV charging stations and battery-swapping facilities will be built, and battery recycling systems developed at a faster pace, Li said. j = d.createElement( s ), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? 2023 CarExpert Pty Ltd - ABN 71 636 729 836, Don't get ripped off, find out what others have paid, This week in news: 27 February to 3 March. 145/70R12 With such small tires, any potholes you encounter are keenly felt in the cabin. According toAutohome, the micro electric two-door is slated to hit showrooms in 2022 and (at least initially) will be sold exclusively in China. After all, the car is less than 3 meters long, 2,920 mm to be precise. You can whine all you like about the size, but large American trucks are selling here even after expensive right-hand drive conversions. Privacy Policy. Given the rudimentary nature of the cabin, its no surprise that materials are utilitarian. However, there are currently no plans to sell the vehicle in Australia. That's a considerable price premium over the regular Hongguang Mini EV, which starts from just 32,800 yuan ($6900) and stretches to 69,8000 yuan ($14,700) for a fully-loaded Game Boy edition. And, like any good motoring journalist, we will insist that not only must the VW Up! This one is a proper long shot, but we stand by it, no matter what you say even if it is entirely reasonable. h = d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0], The convertible electric microcar which was built as part of a collaboration between SAIC and General Motors could come onto the market as soon as 2022. However, the rear seats do individually push down and pull up with a strap, which is essential if you want to transport anything other than people. Trendysort of. [9], A 26.5kWh model is due for 2022, with 280 kilometres (170mi) (CLTC) estimated range, an optional more powerful 30kW (40hp; 41PS) motor, and an improved interior. window.dm.AjaxEvent = function(et, d, ssid, ad){ s.type = 'text/javascript'; [6], Power is produced by an electric motor making a peak 20kW (27hp; 27PS) and 85Nm (63lbft) of torque[7] with rear-wheel drive, propelling the car to a stated top speed of 100km/h (62mph). microcar return to our shores, but it should be in e-Up! Thanks to the folding fabric roof and rollover hoops, the cabrio version is strictly a two-seater, though. Wayward steering.) Electric vehicles should be going great guns at the moment we've all been trapped in the country (and mostly our states) for months, there's nothing to do and for some reason we're paying pre-GFC prices for our petrol. The ID.4's SUV-like approach is also likely to play well with Australians, and we know it's already coming so one imagines the local business just doesn't think the ID.3 will resonate with Australian buyers. On top of that, there's a cargo version, which would be brilliant for the suburbs. The production Cabrio is essentially a toned-down version of the concept unveiled last year. Pricing for the drop-top version has yet to be determined, but according to .css-vurnku{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;min-width:0;}Automotive News the convertible will sell for between 100,000 yuan ($20,000) and 200,000 yuan ($42,100).. The Smart is, however, a considerable 170mm wider. They're not cheap though, and here in Australia suffered from a bit of a Tiddly Cars from Toy Town image. if(typeof window.DotMetricsObj != 'undefined') {DotMetricsObj.onAjaxDataUpdate();} The boot is almost non-existent when the seats are up: at best, you might be able to fit in one very thin painting. The Hong Guang MINI EV has a practical "small on the outside, big on the inside" design. TOKYO -- At 28,800 yuan ($4,500), the Hongguang Mini EV has become a big seller in certain Chinese cities and villages. new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' Could General Motors at least apply lessons learned from producing this super-cheap EV to other markets? [17] The Macaron also receives more safety equipment compared to the previous base trim level, including low-speed pedestrian warning, a reversing camera with rear parking sonar and a driver-side airbag. The latest on tech, science, and more: Get our newsletters! The EVs Australia needs. w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; The wheels look nearly identical, though, and so does the A-pillar and most everything above the door. In a design choice that perhaps speaks to the affordability of display parts, the instrument panel is a full-color digital screen. Stepping up into the niche is the smallest mass-market EV, and one of the best selling EVs of all time: the Wuling Hongguang Mini. Bizarrely, it's the EV we're most asked about after Tesla, despite its much lower profile. Alongside the truck is the R1S, an attractively boxy SUV starting at around seventy grand in the States, so probably a $160,000 bet here. With the 40kWh battery, it has a healthy city driving range of up to 300km, which is probably a week's driving for a good number of businesses. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. SAIC Motor is the largest partner, with 50.1 percent ownership. Baojun, on the other hand, is a Wuling sub-brand aimed at the car market and was earlier to micro EVs than its parent company, with both the Smart-like E100 and E200. Thats a considerable price premium over the regular Hongguang Mini EV, which starts from just 32,800 yuan ($6900) and stretches to 69,8000 yuan ($14,700) for a fully-loaded Game Boy edition. Chinese government incentives include extending subsidies on NEV purchases, expediting a clear-out of older polluting vehicles, reducing taxes on used-car dealers and promoting electric-car sales in rural areas. Classified as a microcar, this Mini EV has done a fairly good job at keeping up with Tesla for worldwide EV shipments in 2021 (approx 424,138 shipments / deliveries). China has had a thriving industry in low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs), which in four-wheel form are more akin to golf carts. Mahindra eXUV300 Expected Launch Date & Estimated Price, Mahindra eKUV 100 To Be Launched By End Of 2022, 2023 Mazda MX-30 Crossover SUV Mazdas First Electric Car, Maserati GranTurismo Folgore EV All-Electric Super Sports Car, Mahindra XUV400 EV New Electric compact SUV.