By Edward Niedermeyer
February 23, 2009
Via Green Car Congress comes word of China’s second plug-in electric car (after BYD’s Dual Mode plug-in, allegedly on sale now), the Chery S18. Chery’s website (In Mandarin, click here for Google translated hilarity) shows the tiny city car rolling off the assembly line, implying that China is taking a two-nil lead over the US in the race for production EVs. On the other hand, it’s probably safe to say that a carboard box has a higher chance of passing US crash test. Anyway, the S18 reportedly sports a 336 V, 40 KwH electric drivetrain featuring 40 Ah Lithium Iron-Phosphate batteries which recharge in 4-6 hours from a 220 V socket (a 30-minute quick charge provides 80 percent of battery capacity). Top speed is said to be 75 mph, and range is estimated at a modest 75-95 miles. Chery’s Yuan Tao claims (in Google translation) that the S18 not only boasts “the world’s most advanced technology” but “the price is also very suitable for families to buy.” Gasgoo says the S18 will go on sale in China later this year starting at less than 100K RMB ($15K), considerably less than even BYD’s F3DM which retails for 150K RMB.
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February 23rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Well, the Model T didn’t pass crash tests, either, but it revolutionized the US. This vehicle could do that for China, too.
It also makes the $40,000 vaporware Volt look kinda uninteresting.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
gslippy, The model T had to worry about horses and other 20 mph model T’s, not 123mph missiles disguised as VW phaetons. Your comment about the $40,000 joke is spot on, however. It truly is vaporware now, isnt it? Wasnt introduction originally slated for ‘08?
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Wow, the workers look so happy with their work. Wanna bet that they found out how much auto workers in other countries make?
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
seabrjim: Granted, the Model T had all those issues. My point is that this Chery vehicle could be very impressive by Chinese standards, and measuring its US viability through its likely lower safety standards does not discount its utility in the Chinese market. I think the same is also true for many vehicles available in Europe, not just China.
On the other hand, maybe the Chery is built like a smartfortwo? OK, maybe not.
The author does point out that with all the hype about EVs, the Chinese now have a 2-0 lead over the US in this area. And the Volt will be here in 2011? May as well be ten years from now. Maybe by 2011 the Chery will be Americanized and sold in the States for $20k.
However, what about the $100k Tesla?! That’s certainly an EV, but not for the masses….
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Thanks, point taken. And 2011 is no sure thing either. Heck, the camaro has been talked about for 3 years also!
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
In communist China, EV’s shock you!
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Edward Niedermeyer said:
On the other hand, it’s probably safe to say that a carboard box has a higher chance of passing US crash test.
That kind of mentality was rampant regarding Japanese cars, 40 years ago.
And it turns out that the cardboard boxes and tin cans won.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Rev Junkie said:
Wow, the workers look so happy with their work. Wanna bet that they found out how much auto workers in other countries make?
They are making 10 times more than the average farmer makes over there.
Such a worker can afford a second wife (not legal, but no one cares) with that income, if he is not into looks and doesn’t intend to purchase real estate in a big city.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Who would buy this death trap?
February 24th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I’m not sure that a plug-in hybrid makes a lot of sense in a country with regular brown outs.