Marcus is a car enthusiast who loves writing about them. * MINI Finance, Australian Credit Licence 392387. The EVs Australia needs. Fees, charges, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. It also comes with the anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and reversing radar. 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. With sales commencing as early as September 2020. If we arent limited by business model, the data could be used to develop a shared car, or a ride-hailing city car, that could be used in city centers where passenger cars are banneda growing and likely permanent trend, he says. 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. 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). Similar to the Rivian, the Ford F-150 Lightning would surely go off here too. [17], A convertible concept version of the Mini EV called the Mini EV Cabrio with a folding soft top was unveiled during the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, with the vehicle body design based on the Mini EV Macaron. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { a claimed 500 kilometre driving range (optimistic EPA number) and a ton of features, Rivian would struggle to meet demand, as it is already in its home market. It can be used on normal roads without restriction, although its wheels are only 12 inches and its speed tops out at just 62 mph (100 km/h). A distinct whine from the electric motor accompanies you as you drive along. E lectric 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 . Now you can get the top stories from Gizmodo delivered to your inbox. With no fast-charging capability, you really are stuck using the Mini EV as a city car. It is a three-door electric microcar that . }; There are also two USB type A ports that allow you to play music or charge a device. The Macaron is a customized model with three unique paint colors and additional standard features. w[ l ].push( { The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. 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. And with such small wheels, you feel every pothole, all the more so given the poorly padded seats. The production Cabrio is essentially a toned-down version of the concept unveiled last year. After all, the car is less than 3 meters long, 2,920 mm to be precise. According to Statista, the average person in China makes $US13,900 ($18,056) a year. 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. Unfortunately, Wheelsboy says youll never forget how cheap it is. The three variants of the brand's first four-seat new energy vehicle are priced between RMB 28,800 and RMB 38,800. However, the Mini EV's small size makes dashing in and out of traffic extremely enjoyable. General Motors (GM) has released new, colorful versions of China's best-selling electric car, the tiny Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Given all the other foibles detailed here, that is probably not a bad thing. You must appreciate that for many buyers, this will be their first car or their only option, and its infinitely safer than piling a family onto a motorbike or electric scooter. 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. j.async = true; Perhaps the local arm should consider Ford's idea of a much larger unit, the Master Z.E.? s.type = 'text/javascript'; var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], Depending on the spec, the Mini EV is powered by either a 20kW/85Nm or 30kW/110Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. But as a cheap introduction to electric family motoring, the car is infinitely safer and better than a scooter or motorbike. Surprisingly, the EV includes a concealed toggle button behind the steering wheel that allows drivers to choose between Eco and Sport modes. [5] Overview [ edit] Rear view This is a low-cost entry, low-cost ownership electric car after all, so the small design touches the production model lost arent a big deal. }. it has halogen headlamps and halogen bulbs in indicators and rear lights. A joint venture between GM and Chinese businesses Wuling and SAIC saw the introduction of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV in July 2020. First, the driving position is very high and the seats are non-height-adjustable. TOKYO -- At 28,800 yuan ($4,500), the Hongguang Mini EV has become a big seller in certain Chinese cities and villages. Change These Settings on Your New Samsung Phone. [CDATA[ */ [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). The front suspension is McPherson and the rear one is Multi-link dependent type. Required fields are marked *. In comparison to the previous standard trim level, the Macaron gets extra safety features, including a low-speed pedestrian alert, a reversing camera with rear parking sonar, and a driver-side airbag. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is the result of a three-way joint venture. With no fast-charging capacity, the Mini EV is essentially a city car. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is a little electric vehicle (EV) that's been making waves bigger than its 12-inch wheels can ever suggest: it's been outselling Teslas and traversing floods in China, and its entry into Thailand and Indonesia have also got Malaysians excited.. Part of the massive sales numbers and interest - Chinese customers have bought over 500,000 of these since June 2019 . f.parentNode.insertBefore( j, f ); 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; The battery pack is pre-started to warm up and maintain the battery pack temperature at 20-25 C to achieve low-temperature charging efficiency. The Wuling Mini EV features an electric motor providing 27 hp and 62.7 lb-ft of torque that powers the rear wheels and comes with either a 9.2 kWh battery or a bigger 13.8 kWh battery with a range of 110 miles, according to the NEDC. 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. It is 2,917 millimeters long, 1,493 millimeters wide and 1,621 [] It loses the LED side strip, but gets a side marker in return. The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, introduced by the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture (between SAIC, GM and Liuzhou Wuling Motors), is no one of the most popular EVs in China. 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. Similar clues to the budget nature of the build quality are shown in areas such as a simple bare screw attaching the door pulls in the front. But thanks to the 1,621 mm height, the Mini EV is actually taller than it is wide, so head room is reasonable. In a design choice that perhaps speaks to the affordability of display parts, the instrument panel is a full-color digital screen. It has received an advanced IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating and been put through 16 rigorous safety tests. Sport mode appears to be the superior option, offering significantly faster acceleration and more obvious brake regeneration. A shame, but if it could land at a mid-$30k price point, French car fans are just mad enough to do it. The controls for the electric windows are located on the center console, next to the drive selector knob. The Hong Guang Mini EV's convenience and low price have made it . A convertible variant of the Hongguang Mini EV - known as the Cabrio concept - was unveiled overnight at the Shanghai motor show. 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. Earlier this month five Chinese. Privacy Policy. 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. The hardtop model starts at 28,000, or about A$6,177, and has a range of 169 km. Guide to safely buying & selling a car online, Police forced to pay for car tracking app to find abducted toddler report, Hundreds of electrified cars deregistered in Victoria due to road-user tax report, 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 facelift unveiled, due in Australia next year, Renault Espace five- and seven-seat SUV under consideration for Australia, Upcoming Lotus electric sedan spied on a tow truck in the Arctic. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Adding to the safety, more than 57% of the Hong Guang MINI EVs body consists of high-strength steel. The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car body is a Hatchback. The production version vehicle body design is based on Mini EV GameBoy Edition and was launched in September 2022. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Safer than a scooter. However, with only a slow charger interface, refilling the latter takes nine hours. Dartz, a Latvian company known for bulletproof SUVs, was planning to sell the Mini EV as the Freze Nikrob in Europe, but those plans appear to have changed. It was difficult to open the doors of the Wuling, but the battery appears to be mostly intact with only some damage. . You can whine all you like about the size, but large American trucks are selling here even after expensive right-hand drive conversions. The Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV sells in China like hot cakes, as it fulfils the basic transportation needs at affordable price of 28,800-43,600 CNY ($4,521-$6,844). s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); But is it safe? Your email address will not be published. Posted on April 19, 2021. The ground clearance offered is 125 mm. EV Auto Explorer is India's leading Electric Vehicles news website. China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data has revealed that the Hong Guang Mini EV . He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. And the lack of rear headrests would make anything but short journeys tiring on the neck. A few-times heavier standard car would potentially destroy the Wuling in a similar way as the neighborhood EV was destroyed. Latvian-based armoured vehicle manufacturer Dartz last year confirmed it had signed an agreement to import the electric micro car to Europe. Wuling is a Chinese car firm youre probably not too familiar with. 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. Everything You Need to Work From Home Like a Pro. After another 40,000 units or so in November, the total number of Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV soon will reach 500,000 - in just 18 months. 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. The bestselling Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) in China, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV has found its way to Thailand. Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats. Every pothole is felt with such small wheels, which is made worse by the badly cushioned seats. 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. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); Wuling's Mini EV, made in partnership with General Motors, outsells Teslas Model 3 in China and costs less than adding CarPlay to a Ferrari. It would also ward off one of the Ami's drawbacks it's left-hand drive only. [14] The vehicle has been such a success that it has inspired a number of copycats and competitors, including the Chery QQ Ice Cream, Dongfeng Fengguang MINI EV,[15] and BAW S3. The wheels look nearly identical, though, and so does the A-pillar and most everything above the door. These are the top discounts weve found across the web. The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV car measures a diminutive 2920mm yet four adults can fit in without too much contortion. The Hong Guang Mini EV saw sales of 112,000 for the second half of 2020, ranking second behind Tesla's Model 3 which are made in its Shanghai factory. The lack of proper headrests for adults makes any long journey a challenge. s = d.createElement('script'); Aesthetically, the production vehicle is unlikely to change dramatically from its concept form. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (Chinese: MiniEV) is a battery electric city car manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling since 2020. Now, a new entry into Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology confirms that the Mini EV Cabrio is coming to market, per Car News China. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. [10], In 2020, the Mini EV had a price starting at US$4,162, and topped out at US$5,607 for a fully-loaded model, making it China's cheapest electric car. A few videos of the convertible circulated around since then, but not much else besides the statement from Wuling. body #page { Bizarrely, it's the EV we're most asked about after Tesla, despite its much lower profile. In January,CarAdvice reported a hard-top variant of the Hongguang Mini EV designed and built as part of a collaboration betweenSAIC and General Motors outsold the Tesla Model 3 in Chinathroughout January 2021, thanks in part to its impressive AU$5700price tag. Apples tablet lineup is more confusing than ever. Thats actually not too bad for the price of four Changlis. MacOS may be the apple of your eye, but some of its stock apps are a little rotten. A Detailed Look At The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, The Tata Avinya Concept Puts India On The Global EV Map. In . 25,778 MINI EV's were purchased in China in January alone, compared to . China's best-selling EV is tiny and incredibly affordable, and will soon become one of the few convertible EVs available today, or ever. Yes, the Citroen Ami is a quadricycle like the pilloried and terrifying Gee Whiz, but it's made by a proper car company Stellantis. margin-top: -19px; }. Trendysort of. [4] Retail deliveries began in China in July 2020. The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone. Charging cables fill up the space at the bottom of the boot. Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV has overtaken Tesla Model 3 as the world's most popular electric vehicle for the first time, according to the EV Sales blog. So such a car, even devoid of bells or whistles, could make electric motoring affordable for a much broader market. The colors are Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. [4] Retail deliveries began in China in July 2020. The tiny EV is made available only as a left-hand drive vehicle by local grey importers and is understood to not offer a warranty of any sort. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the Mini EV can seat four. The production model probably wont get the body-coloured mirror, either. Whether you want a new keyboard or a robot vac, theres something for everyone. And who doesn't want to see F-Series based ambulances again? The battery is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. To further aid in the adoption of EVs, the Chinese government has announced measures to boost sales, from Automotive News: The government will encourage steady increases on spending on cars and abolish excessive restrictions on the sale of used vehicles, Premier Li Keqiang told the National Peoples Congress in Beijing on Friday. } ()); Potential buyers will need to enter a lottery in order to buy one., Wuling says production could expand if theres enough demand.. var d = document, WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. Lots of people ask why there aren't any small EVs on the market (we quickly explain there are several), and the talk quickly turns to price. Its curb weight is around 665 kg. But you will know the others involved in the joint venture that builds the Mini EV: General Motors has a 44% share andMG parent firm SAIC 50.1%, with Wuling the remaining 5.9%. While there is a hatch at the back, there is no real trunk to speak of. 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. Discover the city streets in a MINI Electric Hatch or MINI Countryman Hybrid with a 5.99% p.a comparison rate on a 36-month MINI Flex agreement*. Now, hear us out on this one. Little safety equipment. s.src = 'https://au-script.dotmetrics.net/door.js?d=' + document.location.host + '&t=other'; h.appendChild(s); The Battery Capacity, which is one of the most important parts of an Electric Vehicle, is 9.3 kWh or 13.9 kWh. On top of that, there's a cargo version, which would be brilliant for the suburbs. Still, splashes of color matching the body color around the radio controls, door pulls, and passenger cupholder jazz up the interior. /* ]]> */ In this story we're looking at EVs that exist today that we miss out on. 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. 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. We break them all down. [11] The car has attracted a cult following in China, with owners frequently modifying their vehicles. Privacy Policy. Heres our ultimate list of more than 120 items, from monitors and desks to webcams and chairs. They're both short on driving range and in the ForTwo's case, size, but these are resolutely urban vehicles. Here you can see more details about the technical specification of the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. No spare tire is given as well. 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. window.dm.AjaxEvent = function(et, d, ssid, ad){ '&l=' + l : ''; Tesla's biggest rival in China is the Wuling HongGuang Mini EV that starts at around $4,200. The Mini EV is a step up from this levelcloser to a Japanese kei micro car. . We may not legally be able to get ahold of the Mini EV as it sells in China, but there is an outside chance GM will be using the know-how gained from producing this budget electric car to release a US or European EV that retails below the $10,000 mark. 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. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Given all of its other flaws, that's probably not a terrible thing. It was first manufactured and delivered sometime in July 2020. 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). The colors areAvocado Green, Lemon Yellow, and White Peach Pink, which are the results of the collaboration of Wuling and Pantone Universe. The compact zero-emission hatchback reportedly weighs just 665kg. According to an IANS report, Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV has overtaken Teslas Model 3 as the top-selling electric vehicle in the world in January and February. Based in New York, New York, Derek loves to travel and is very much a window not an aisle person. So an incredibly cheap, bare-bones city car makes a lot of sense. Astonishingly, the company is reportedly making less than $14 profit on each car. We will keep our own label, Freze [formerly Frese], and this car will be not just be a rebadged Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, like it was under the Nikrob label, but it will be a [new body] car.. The Macaron version gains a reversing camera, which the screen also shows. 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. [5], The Mini EV can seat four people, and standard features including air conditioning, power windows, stereo system, storage and compartments. 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. Being a compact van, it's not too big so would be good for the urban cut and thrust. w[ l ].push( { s = d.createElement('script'); Priced this low, there is not much insulating the car from road noise. You already know where this is going the Honda E. We're obviously not privy to the behind-closed-doors discussions that go on at car companies, but the local arm's decision to pass on one of the coolest cars on the planet, EV or not, is bizarre. 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. [18], In 2021 Lithuanian company Nikrob UAB announced a rebadged version of the Mini EV called the FreZe Nikrob with knock-down assembly in Vilnius, Lithuania. We're here to help you find the right slate for your needs. You can get one through the usual JDM importers for not-insane money, but without factory backing, life might be difficult if the battery needs recalling etc. The Smart is, however, a considerable 170mm wider. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. Charging on a 220V supply takes 6.5 hours for the smaller battery and a full 9 hours for the 13.8 kWh pack. ( function( w, d, s, l, i ) { The Peugeot e-Expert has a silly name and isn't much to look at, but has an impressive driving range for a commercial vehicle (330km WLTP) and decent power and torque. [12][13] The popularity has been compared to that of kei cars in Japan. There's no dreamland Ford e-Ranger or Toyota e-HiLux talk here because they don't exist yet and we already know whoever gets to the dual-cab ute market with a sensibly-priced electric version could end up ruling the world.