{"id":3315,"date":"2021-02-25T14:10:27","date_gmt":"2021-02-25T14:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/?p=1340502"},"modified":"2021-02-25T14:10:27","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T14:10:27","slug":"this-teensy-chinese-ev-outsold-tesla-last-month-and-its-cheaper-than-some-ebikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=3315","title":{"rendered":"This teensy Chinese EV outsold Tesla last month \u2014 and it\u2019s cheaper than some ebikes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over in the US, General Motors has made its statement of intent, pledging to go electric and remove tail-pipe emissions from its light passenger vehicles by 2035<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It looks like GM still has a way to go before we see its electric dreams realized on English-speaking shores. However, if we turn our gaze to China, GM is already helping to produce electric vehicles, and it turns out, the fruit of its labor is outselling Tesla, by a long way \u2014 last month at least.<\/p>\n

Let me introduce you to the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV, the electric vehicle that\u2019s stealing the show in China and is made in collaboration with GM, yes that General Motors.<\/p>\n

\"ev,
Credit: Wikimedia<\/a><\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>Hong Guang MINI EV, is made by state-owned SAIC in collaboration with General Motors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s cheap, it\u2019s cheerful, and it\u2019s the very embodiment of electric urban motoring. But prepare to have your breath taken away: this cutesy little motor is so far beyond affordable, it makes some bicycles look overpriced.<\/p>\n

It costs just $4,500. No, that\u2019s not a typo, it is actually cheaper than some ebikes. But if you\u2019re a person of luxury, which I\u2019m sure you are, there is an upgraded version that has air conditioning that costs $5,000. And of course, in this blazing fireball called Earth, the one with A\/C is the one to buy\u2026<\/p>\n

[Read: How do you build a pet-friendly gadget? We asked experts and animal owners<\/span><\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

According to figures from BBC News<\/a>, the Hong Guang Mini EV is selling like hot cakes. Last month, there were nearly twice as many Mini EVs sold as Tesla vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not surprising when the cheapest Tesla costs $30,000 more than the Hong Guang, but still, the Mini EV proves practicality and affordability are characteristics that should not be overlooked.<\/p>\n

The Hong Guang is being branded as \u201cthe people\u2019s commuting tool,\u201d which I think is code for: \u201cIt\u2019s kinda pants, but hey! It\u2019s damn cheap!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"mini
Credit: Wikimedia<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Hong Guang Mini EV rear end. It\u2019s sort of like a Smart Car, but even more basic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Hong Guang has a tiny battery, according to other reviews the big battery version comes with a 13.8 kWh pack, giving it 110 miles (160 km) of range. The standard version has just 75 miles (120 km) of range.<\/p>\n

It tops out at 62 mph, (100 kph), so you won\u2019t be breaking any land speed records with this thing, but it\u2019s designed for the city, and we can bash it all we want, it looks perfect for the job it\u2019s designed to do.<\/p>\n

There have been all kinds of weird and wonderful EVs dreamed up over the years.<\/p>\n

Take the Sinclair C5<\/a>, a ride on ebike from 1985 that was light years ahead of its time, but also wildly dangerous and mis-marketed. Or Canyon\u2019s recent pedal-powered car-bike<\/a> concept that wants to reduce excess waste and have people commuting in tiny machines fit for one person.<\/p>\n

\"canyon,
Credit: Canyon<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>The Canyon car-bike concept could help address a number of challenges associated with traveling in and around busy cities. But it will need a good reception if it\u2019s to become a thing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All of these are great ideas, but perhaps the reason why they\u2019ve failed or are yet to come to fruition is because they overthink the problem and end up being far too expensive. What we need are simple, pragmatic, and most importantly, affordable EVs that nearly everyone can afford.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s hope that when General Motors turns its attention to its US market it applies some of what it\u2019s learned from building one of China\u2019s best selling electric microcars.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>SHIFT<\/a> is brought to you by Polestar. It\u2019s time to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. That is why Polestar combines electric driving with cutting-edge design and thrilling performance.<\/span><\/i> Find out how<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Published February 25, 2021 \u2014 14:10 UTC <\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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