World's cheapest electric car may appear in Europe

The cheapest electric city minicar from General Motors, called the Hongguang Mini EV, made a splash in the Chinese market. It may be put on sale in Europe soon, though under a different name.

Report informs citing autocentre.ua that, in Europe, the Hongguang Mini EV's clone, called FreZe Nikrob EV, will be presented by the Latvian company Dartz Motorz ​​and Lithuania's Nikrob UAB. It may be sold in European markets for EUR 10,000. In China, the original electric car is available at $4,500. The price difference appears to be due to FreZe's higher security level compared to Hongguang.

The versions of popular cars intended for sale in the Chinese market and, as a rule, assembled at joint ventures with local automakers, have a significantly simplified system of active and passive safety. It is for this reason that they are cheaper than their European, Korean, or Japanese analogs. And it is for this reason that the export of such cars outside the PRC is prohibited.

Specifications for the new FreZe Nikrob EV have not yet been announced. It is known that its maximum speed will be only 105 km/h, and the range on one battery charge will exceed 200 km.

Hongguang Mini EV has dimensions of 2,917x1,493x1,621 mm (LxWxH). It is powered by a 27 hp electric motor, which allows the compact city car to speed up to 100 km / h. The battery with a capacity of 9.2 kWh provides a range of 120 km. A more "long-range" version is also available, which is equipped with a 13.8 kWh battery and can travel up to 170 km on a single charge.

Orders for the Dacia Spring hatchback, which is called the cheapest electric car in Europe, began in late March 2021. It is a renewed version of the Renault City K-ZE electric hatchback, which has been on the Chinese market since 2019.

The price of an electric car is EUR 18,100, including VAT, but upon pre-order, the vehicle will cost EUR16,800. Taking into account the subsidies for the purchase of EVs, which some European governments pay, the price of the basic version of the Dacia Spring will be EUR 10,900.