Chinese car maker Changan announced today that it will launch electric cars in Canada before the end of 2008. The cars, developed jointly with Canadian company Electrovaya, could be the first sold by a Chinese company in North America.
The fleet of 30 electric vehicles (EVs) have been under development since May, and are based on one of Changan’s exisiting compact models, the BenBen, fitted with an Electrovaya powertrain. For the time being, the cars will be assembled and distributed in Canada, but in the long term Changan intends to develop the EVs entirely in China, before shipping to North America.
Changan has not yet released any news on price. However, the gas-powered BenBen currently retails in China for anywhere between US$4,500 and 6,000, so it’s quite possible that the EV version will be very affordable. In terms of timescale, it is likely that the company will be keen to ramp up production as soon as possible in a bid to consolidate its position in the lucrative, but fiercely competitive North American Market.
They will also be keeping a close eye on Chinese rivals Build Your Dreams (BYD Auto), which has already signed up ten distributors for its Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) as part of plans to enter the European market by 2010.
Image Credit – Autoblog Italy
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A variety of electric vehicles ranging from bikes to top of the line roadsters are available in the market right now, with the expectation of even more in the way of new interesting vehicles rolling out. Good for us.
A variety of electric vehicles ranging from bikes to top of the line roadsters are available in the market right now, with the expectation of even more in the way of new interesting vehicles rolling out. Good for us.
Looks like THE CURRENT which is being assembled in Colorado by electric city motors. The owner of electric city motors designed the body and drivetrain for THE CURRENT.
THE CURRENT will be using a modified lead acid battery
(CNT Battery by microbubbletechnologies) which will provide a 400 mile range and can be recharged in less than 10 minutes. This will be a major improvement in range and recharge times.
Will this vechile by Changan have this range/recharge times?
Looks like THE CURRENT which is being assembled in Colorado by electric city motors. The owner of electric city motors designed the body and drivetrain for THE CURRENT.
THE CURRENT will be using a modified lead acid battery
(CNT Battery by microbubbletechnologies) which will provide a 400 mile range and can be recharged in less than 10 minutes. This will be a major improvement in range and recharge times.
Will this vechile by Changan have this range/recharge times?
looks nice this car
looks nice this car
The only problem with Chinese-made electric cars right now is their dismal safety standards and ratings. Has anybody seen the crash test videos for the first Chery Sedans? They had to crowbar the crash test dummies body parts out of the car.
The only problem with Chinese-made electric cars right now is their dismal safety standards and ratings. Has anybody seen the crash test videos for the first Chery Sedans? They had to crowbar the crash test dummies body parts out of the car.
I really like the idea of the electric car. I’m even interested in becoming a dealer. As far as the crash dummy goes. I ride a motor cycle now and if I get in a wreck on it I would have less chance of servival than in one of these cars.
I really like the idea of the electric car. I’m even interested in becoming a dealer. As far as the crash dummy goes. I ride a motor cycle now and if I get in a wreck on it I would have less chance of servival than in one of these cars.
Chrysler Canada doesn’t stand a chance! Fiat too slow! Not on the ball! China has the EV-i’s superior NiMh batteries in China, can they use them in Canada without offending Uncle Sam’s patent laws? Can they do one better? Can’t be that hard! Americans lost the race with the “Volt”a heavy Sheet metal and hydraulics nightmare when Aptera appeared from California and it is being soundly rejected by our great fatter-assed folk who are to large to even get in one! America will go on to and unsustainable end point, just dwindle down to armed, gated, villages of uber-rich fat asses, surrounded by disenfranchised starving folk – no so in Canada the frosty winters kill off our genetic mistakes! The Chinese car in Canada will not help get jobs unless we at least assemble them?
Chrysler Canada doesn’t stand a chance! Fiat too slow! Not on the ball! China has the EV-i’s superior NiMh batteries in China, can they use them in Canada without offending Uncle Sam’s patent laws? Can they do one better? Can’t be that hard! Americans lost the race with the “Volt”a heavy Sheet metal and hydraulics nightmare when Aptera appeared from California and it is being soundly rejected by our great fatter-assed folk who are to large to even get in one! America will go on to and unsustainable end point, just dwindle down to armed, gated, villages of uber-rich fat asses, surrounded by disenfranchised starving folk – no so in Canada the frosty winters kill off our genetic mistakes! The Chinese car in Canada will not help get jobs unless we at least assemble them?
So what happened? Never heard from this again.