Chinese electric car: review, specifications, types, models and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

At this stage of development, the Chinese auto industry is undergoing significant changes. A few years ago, the designers of the Celestial Empire managed to dispel the stereotype about the low quality of traditional cars, and today several companies offer their developments in the high-tech segment of electric cars. Of course, it is 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 car certainly has superiority - this is an affordable price. True, the same example with the successful entry of sedans and hatchbacks of the latest generations showed that along with the growth in the quality of Chinese products, the price inevitably grows.

Features of electric vehicles from China

The electric car niche fits the general concept of the Asian auto industry in many ways. Firstly, the segment is initially focused on reducing dependence on traditional fuel, and secondly, the producers of this region are striving to develop industries that are not yet strengthened, but promising. The fact is that the Chinese electric car has a significant difference fromthe same "Europeans". This is not only an affordable price, but also a general focus on the budget class. While German designers shock the public with new high-quality concepts on electric motors that enter the market with fabulous price tags, the Chinese offer already proven and modest, but effective solutions for a mass audience.

At the same time, it cannot be said that the manufacturers of the Celestial Empire are seriously inferior in manufacturability. Their main focus is rather on the optimization of existing ideas, adjusted for the laws of the market. At the same time, there are also characteristic features that reflect precisely Chinese electric vehicles. In China, they tend to develop cars without taking into account the philosophy of maximum individual comfort. The engineering concept relies more on the overall vision of an electric vehicle in a modern metropolis.

Varieties of models

Chinese developers are quite reverent in the positioning of their models, initially cutting off unpromising, in their opinion, segments. For example, among ecological models from the Celestial Empire, hybrid cars are practically not found. This suggests that companies see the future of electric cars solely in battery power cells. However, inside the home market, the Chinese electric car is represented by different classes. First of all, models can be divided into sedans, hatchbacks and crossovers. Small city crosses are especially popular, in which, by the way, the power indicator corresponds to the European hatchback. Models also differ in the type of batteries, which also affectsthe dimensions 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.

Model Specifications

Like traditional cars, electric cars are primarily rated by power. Most models are calculated for urban use, so the average is 90-120 liters. With. The parameters that are already characteristic of electrical models follow. The battery capacity determines the driving range on a single charge - on average, such a car can move 300-500 km. Again, this is subject to a single starting charge. Also, a Chinese-made electric car has attractive dynamic performance. This is mainly the acceleration speed, which can take about 5-6 seconds.

BYD E6

BYD is one of the largest representatives of the Chinese automotive industry. It was the specialists of this brand that began to produce high-quality models of sedans and hatchbacks. Not so long ago, an 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 deserves the status of a premium class. Moreover, in terms of operational parameters, the development demonstrates an example of balance and rational use of energy resources.

So, what will please the owner of the new Chinese electric car? Descriptionmany experts reduce the exterior of this model to such characteristics as European, family and urban. Indeed, the model is devoid of catchy appearance, but at the same time 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 with its structural filling, which again confirms the desire of the Chinese manufacturer to implement high-quality solutions from a consumer point of view. For example, a full independent suspension gives the car a balanced handling and smooth ride, and the brakes allow you to count on safe and efficient deceleration. As for the power plant, the charge of its Fe-battery is enough for 300 km.

Youxia X

Youxia X developers followed in the footsteps of the American company Tesla, which demonstrated the success of the concept of electric models with its Model S line. Actually, the Chinese counterpart largely repeats the characteristics of Tesla development, but it did not do without its own developments. So, in place of the front grille, the designers provided a display on which you can broadcast various graphics like a logo. I must say that both ordinary models and Chinese electric cars rarely indulge in such delights.

The lineup and modifications of Youxia are still limited to one version, but with the ability to integrate batteries with different sizes. Depending on the success of the base representative of the family, it is possible that there will also beother variations or at least restyled updates. In the meantime, Youxia X has a power potential of 350 “horses” and, with a maximum filling of the battery, is able to cover distances of about 450 km. What is especially interesting, this model provides acceleration to "hundreds" in just 5.6 seconds.

Xpeng Cars Beta

Xpeng Cars also offers a rather unusual crossover. Its Beta model is remarkable in that it is, in a sense, a clone of two outstanding electric vehicles at once. In general, the concept was adopted from the same Model X, and when creating a structural base, the developers focused on the Lexus NX, which, however, is more likely to be a hybrid. In addition, the Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles Xpeng Cars provided its crossover with a decent quality battery from Samsung. At the power of this element, the electric car overcomes up to 300 km, and provides acceleration in 5.8 seconds. Also, unlike its already Chinese competitors, this model is distinguished by a modern multimedia complex. Suffice it to note the 12.3-inch panel placed on the dashboard, as well as the 15.6-inch LCD touchscreen display.

E-Car GD04B

E-Car manufacturer shows an example of entering a specific niche of a company that came out of a completely different direction. The fact is that E-Car specializes in the production of agricultural machinery. It would seem that with such a specialization, developers should demonstrateheavy-duty large SUV, while working on electric traction. But the GD04B model excelled in the other direction - it is a compact electric car with a power potential of 5.5 liters. With. The power plant is formed by an electric motor, which is capable of providing a speed limit of 50 km / h. Gearboxes are not provided at all, and the wheels for the Chinese GD04B electric car received drum brakes. As for the maximum distance, it is only 150 km.

Question of price

It has already been noted that the segment of traditional passenger cars, as their performance and quality properties improve, began to add in price. But in the segment of electric vehicles, the situation is different. Even Russian electrified versions of Lada cannot 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 cars, the price of which is 2-3 million. This applies to the Youxia X version, which quite successfully embodied the main advantages of the American Model X.

Positive reviews of Chinese electric cars

Even if we leave aside the price issue, then Chinese products will have a lot of trump cards. Firstly, tight financial framework and poor resource opportunities force developers to rationalize electric vehicles as much as possible. Reviews note that even in compact modifications, it is providedan extensive functional complex for machine control. Secondly, many point to the optimization of power plants. For the direct user, this means that the Chinese electric car will be both inexpensive to maintain and easy to maintain.

Besides this, one cannot ignore the success of the Chinese in integrating their own high technologies for this segment. Car owners of premium modifications especially benefit from the use of electronic assistants, new options and navigation systems.

Negative reviews

Manufacturers strive to fight the established opinion about low-quality Chinese products, but in a short period of time and, especially, in such a technological niche, this is not easy to do. There are still flaws in the design, negative factors from the supply of mechanics with cheap consumables, as well as unsightly finishes of budget models.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that spare parts for Chinese electric vehicles are not yet so common in the Russian Federation and, for example, components and service fittings for power plants can only be found in large regional car services. Moreover, many motorists complain about models from the Celestial Empire precisely for their low maintainability.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles have a lot of differences from cars equipped with internal combustion engines, but in the context of the overall production strategy, there are often similarities. This is especially evident in the example of Chinese companies. Developers combine ergonomics,functionality and technological appeal at an affordable price. The result is a cheap Chinese electric car that, in terms of performance, is almost as good as even premium European models.

It is clear that in such a situation, Chinese products will have a noticeable success. But what explains the price difference? In many respects, the creators of budget models achieve cost reduction due to savings on the main materials and mechanisms of the working group. That is, the car gets all the performance benefits of a modern electric car, but has a shorter life and, as a rule, a template implementation of the design with trim.