Cheap Chinese EV to be launched in India

China’s Great Wall Motor aims to launch its cheap electric Ora R1 in India in February 2020.

The Ora R1 is reported to be the world’s cheapest EV at around US$8680, with 351km range, a 35kW motor and a 33kWh battery, plus a 28.5kWh battery in China.

When launched a year ago, Ora general manager and Great Wall Motor vice president Ning Shuyong said Ora replaced the traditional sales, service, spare parts and surveys dealership-centred model common in China with a network consisting of Ora Home, experience centres, and smart outlets in Chinese cities’ central business districts.

“In addition, the big data cloud that is created as the result of the information collected from the Ora app, the Ora shopping site, and the Tmall e-shop opens the way to the development of multiple scenarios for offline sales and services as well as new transportation services for both drivers and passengers.”

The Ora R1 has a top speed around 100km/h and will arrive in India with artificial intelligence (AI and connectivity.

It’s expected to be on show at Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2020 in India from February 7-12 where new technologies and innovation will be displayed.

India is moving towards green energy as air pollution soars, its government promoting EV adoption through tax cuts and subsidies.

Suzuki, Toshiba, and Densi have agreed to establish an EV battery operation in India to help reduce EV costs as batteries have to sourced from overseas, add to EVs’ costs.

Meanwhile, Great Wall premium brand Wey intends producing its first plug-in hybrid crossover in China this year, the Wey P8 PHEV with two electric motors on both front and rear axles, expected to have about 660km range.