In addition to charging infrastructure, quality and technology, the economic factor plays a fundamental role for the massification of electric vehicles, whose prices are still much higher when compared to those powered by fossil fuels.
An example of this is the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, the Chinese car breaking all sales worldwide. The car has a starting cost of 3,900 euros, positioning it as the best-selling model in China in 2021.
The car is the product of a partnership between General Motors and Wulling (SAIC), and only in the first quarter of 2021, 96,674 units were sold, accounting for 20% of the total electrified sold in China.
Prototype Features
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is composed of a 27 hp electric motor and a 13.8 kWh battery, which enables it to travel up to 200 kilometers without recharging.
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The maximum speed is 100 kilometers per hour. It is designed for four occupants, has three doors and for an additional 1,000 euros comes with air conditioning and electric windows. It measures 2.91 m long, 1.49 m wide and 1.62 m high.
In 2022, the brand will introduce an update with a new, more capable version in terms of range per full battery charge. This long-range variant features a 26.5 kWh battery, which gives this car a range of up to 280 km, according to the Chinese CLTC evaluation cycle. This is the fourth battery version in the range.
China Dominates the Market
By 2021, electric car sales reached 6.6 million units globally, more than three times higher than 2019, according to figures from the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
From that number, more than 3.2 million were accounted for in China, with electrics already accounting for 15% of vehicle sales, doubling the 2020 percentage.
According to Jason Low, Analyst at Canalys, a global technology market research firm, “China is launching many new models every month across every major market segment, from small urban economy to premium sedans and SUVs”.
Although electric car prices remain a stumbling block, a report by the consulting firm KPMG indicates that by 2030 the costs with gasoline-powered vehicles will be equalized.
Written by I Jhonattan González
