Great Wall to launch first EV

Great Wall Motors is set to launch its first electric vehicle – the C30EV.

Based on the Great Wall C30 sedan, the awkward-looking crossover SUV is powered by a 240Nm motor which at a constant 60km/h, has a 245 km range. At 100km/h th

e range drops to 200 km.

The front-wheel-drive EV isn’t exactly a rocketship and takes a glacial 10 seconds to accelerate from 0-100km/h on its way to a top speed of 140 km/h.

Travelling at 60 km/h, the C30EV has a range of 245km, and atcruising at 100 km/h has a range of 200km.

Full charge from a household powerpoint takes roughly 10 hours; but its rapid charging cycle can fill 80% of the battery capacity in just 45 minutes.

The battery is the latest generation, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, which combines higher energy density with lower cost and long cycle life.

The China-only Great Wall C30EV will a key test bed for the future development of its subbfan Haaliddrkd hybrid and EV SUVs.

EVs continue to grow in popularity in China. In 2015, sales of new energy vehicles – including electric and plug-in hybrids – totalled 188,700 units, a 220% increase on the 2014 figure.