Chinese electric vehicle: overview, specifications, types, models and reviews

At this stage of development, the Chinese auto industry is undergoing significant changes. A few years ago, designers of the Celestial Empire managed to dispel the stereotype of the low quality of traditional cars, and now several companies offer their developments in the high-tech segment of electric cars. Of course, it's too early to talk about full-fledged competition with European and Japanese auto giants, but there is already an application for rivalry in the future. Moreover, in one of the parameters, the Chinese electric vehicle certainly has superiority - it is affordable. However, the same example with a successful entry of sedans and hatchbacks of recent generations has shown that along with the growth of the quality of Chinese products, the price inevitably grows.

Features of electric vehicles from China

The niche of electric cars on many factors is suitable for the general concept of the Asian car industry. First, the segment initially focuses on reducing dependence on traditional fuels, and secondly, the producers of this region are trying to develop not yet strengthened but promising sectors. The fact is that the Chinese electric car has a significant difference from the same "Europeans". This is not only an affordable price, but also a general orientation towards a budget class. While German designers shock the audience with new high-quality concepts on electric motors that enter the market with fabulous price tags, the Chinese offer already well-developed and modest but effective solutions for a mass audience.

At the same time, it can not be said that the manufacturers of the Celestial Empire are seriously inferior in manufacturability. Their main emphasis is rather on optimizing existing ideas with an amendment to market laws. At the same time, there are also traces that characterize Chinese electric vehicles. In China, they are trying to develop cars without considering the philosophy of maximum individual comfort. The engineering concept relies more on the common vision of an electric vehicle in a modern metropolis.

Varieties of models

Chinese developers are pretty careful about positioning their models, initially cutting off the unpromising, in their opinion, segments. For example, among ecological models from China there are practically no hybrid machines. This suggests that companies see the future of electric cars exclusively in battery feeders. Nevertheless, inside the home market the Chinese electric vehicle is represented by different classes. First of all, the models can be divided into sedans, hatchbacks and crossovers. Especially popular are small city crosses, which, by the way, the power indicator corresponds to the European hatchback. There are different models and the type of batteries, which affects the size of the power plant, and, of course, the power. To date, the Chinese are actively using lithium-ion batteries, as well as their modifications with the addition of an iron-phosphate base.

Technical specifications of models

Like traditional cars, electric cars are primarily rated for capacity. Most models are calculated for urban operation, so the average figures are 90-120 liters. from. Further, the parameters characteristic for electric models follow. The capacity of the battery determines the range of motion on a single charge - on average, such a machine can move for 300-500 km. Again, this is subject to the performance of one starting charge. Also, an electromobile of Chinese production is characterized by attractive dynamic indicators. Mostly this is the acceleration speed, which can take up to 5-6 seconds.

BYD E6

Concern BYD is one of the largest representatives of the Chinese automobile industry. It is specialists of this brand began to produce high-quality models of sedans and hatchbacks. Not so long ago, the electrified crossover E6 appeared on the market. The model can be called a typical electric car by European standards, but in the Asian segment it also deserves the status of a premium class. Moreover, as for operational parameters, the development demonstrates an example of the balance and rational use of energy resources.

So, what will please the owner of the new Chinese electric car? Description of the ex-terrier of this model many experts reduce to such characteristics as European, family and city. Indeed, the model is devoid of catchy appearance, but at the same time it provides good dynamics. Acceleration is carried out in just 10 seconds, and the maximum reaches 140 km / h. But even this is not the main advantage of the SUV. The model surprised many by the structural filling, which again confirms the desire of the Chinese manufacturer to implement high-quality solutions from the consumer point of view. For example, a full independent suspension gives the car a balanced handling and smooth running, and the brakes allow you to count on a safe and efficient deceleration. As for the power plant, the charge of its Fe-battery is enough for 300 km.

Youxia X

Developers Youxia X followed in the footsteps of the American company Tesla, which demonstrated the success of the concept of electrical models with its Model S line. Actually, the Chinese analogue in many respects repeats the characteristics of the development of Tesla, but it did not do without its own developments. So, on the site of the front grille designers have provided a display on which you can broadcast a different graphics like a logo. I must say that such gems are not often spoiled both conventional models and Chinese electric vehicles.

The range and modifications of Youxia are limited to one version, but with the possibility of integrating batteries with different volumes. Depending on the success of the basic representative of the family, there may be other variations, or at least restyling updates. In the meantime, Youxia X has a capacity potential of 350 "horses" and with maximum battery capacity it can cover distances of about 450 km. What is especially interesting, this model provides acceleration to "hundreds" in just 5.6 seconds.

Xpeng Cars Beta

A fairly unusual crossover is offered by Xpeng Cars. Her model Beta is noteworthy in that it is in a sense a clone of just two outstanding electric vehicles. In general, the concept was adopted by the same Model X, and when creating a design basis, the developers focused on the Lexus NX, which, however, rather refers to hybrids. In addition, the Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles Xpeng Cars has provided its crossover and a decent-quality battery from Samsung. At the capacities of this element, the electric car travels up to 300 km, and acceleration provides for 5.8 seconds. Also, unlike its already Chinese competitors, this model is distinguished by a modern multimedia complex. It is enough to note the 12.3-inch panel located on the dashboard, as well as a 15.6-inch touchscreen display.

E-Car GD04B

The manufacturer of E-Car shows an example of entering into a specific niche of a company that came out entirely from another direction. The fact is that E-Car specializes in the production of agricultural machinery. It would seem that with such a specialization, developers should demonstrate a super-powerful large SUV that works with electric power. But the GD04B model differed in the opposite direction: it is a compact electric car with a capacity of 5.5 liters. from. The power plant is formed by an electric motor, which is capable of providing a high-speed mode of 50 km / h. The gearbox is not provided, and the wheels for the Chinese electric car GD04B received drum brakes. As for the maximum distance, it is only 150 km.

Price issue

It was already noted that the segment of traditional light cars with the increase in operational and quality properties began to add to the price. But in the segment of electric vehicles there is still a different situation. Even Russian electrified versions of Lada can not compete with representatives of the Celestial Empire in this parameter. For example, a standard and very high-quality offer in the form of BYD E6 can be purchased for 500 thousand rubles. This is more than an attractive amount for budget models, but there are also Chinese electric vehicles, the price of which is 2-3 million. This applies to the version of Youxia X, which quite successfully embodied the main advantages of the American Model X.

Positive feedback on Chinese electric cars

Even if you leave aside the price issue, then Chinese products will have a lot of trumps. First, a tight financial framework and poor resource capabilities make developers maximize electric vehicles. The reviews note that even in compact modifications, an extensive functional complex for machine control is envisaged. Secondly, many point to the optimization of power plants. For the direct user, this means that the Chinese electric car will be both inexpensive in content and convenient to maintain.

In addition, we can not ignore the successes of the Chinese in the integration of their own high technologies for this segment. Car owners of premium modifications especially feel the benefits of using electronic assistants, new options and navigation systems.

Negative feedback

Producers are trying to fight the established opinion about poor-quality Chinese products, but in a short period of time and, moreover, in such a technological niche it is not easy to do. There are still flaws in structural design, negative factors from supplying mechanics with cheap consumables, as well as unsightly finishing of budget models.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that spare parts for Chinese electric vehicles are not so common in the territory of the Russian Federation and, for example, to find components and servicing fittings for power plants can only be in large regional car-care centers. And many motorists complain about models from the Middle Kingdom just for low maintainability.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles have a lot of differences from cars equipped with ICE, but in the context of the overall production strategy, there are often similar traits. This is particularly evident in the case of Chinese companies. Developers combine in their projects ergonomics, functionality and technological appeal with an affordable price. The result is a cheap Chinese electric vehicle, which, in terms of performance, is almost as good as even premium European models.

It is clear that in this situation, Chinese products will have a noticeable success. But what explains the difference in price? In many respects, the reduction of cost, the creators of budget models achieve by saving on the basic materials and mechanisms of the working group. That is, the car gets all the operational advantages of a modern electric car, but has a shorter life span and, as a rule, a template implementation of the design with trim.