SAIC-GM-Wuling, a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors and Liuzhou Wuling Automobile Industry (simply known as Wuling), which sold 19,255 units of its small electric vehicle (EV) in 2020, making it the second best-selling car in China, has recently unveiled the new Wuling Nano EV.
Wuling Nano is not only going to be the smallest electric car to go into production. It could also become the world’s cheapest electric car if reports are to be believed.
According to a report, the Wuling Nano EV will be sold at a price not exceeding 20,000 yuan (roughly converted to ₹2.30 lakh). This means the Nano EV could actually cost even less than a Maruti Alto. If it is true, then Nano will certainly be cheaper than Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, the best-selling compact electric car in China.
Aesthetically, the all-new Wuling NANO EV is closely related to the Baojun E200 and adopts a design philosophy called “Free Two Go” seeking to meet the transportation needs of the new generation of independent youth in China.
The Nano EV stands at 2,497 mm in length, 1,526 mm in width and 1,616 mm in height, making it even smaller in size compared to Tata Nano. It also has a 1,600 mm wheelbase. Tata Nano used have a length in excess of 3 metres.
The Nano EV is equipped with a 33 PS electric motor and can generate a maximum torque of 85 Nm. It can also go up to speed of 100 kmph.
The Nano EV will have an IP67-certified lithium-ion battery placed under the seat, with a capacity of 28 kWh. The battery allows this small electric car to travel 305 km on a single charge.
Despite its size, the Nano EV is not short of safety features. It comes with electronic stability control system (ESC) of ABS brakes along with EBD, electronic parking brakes, Isofix child seat mounts. It also comes with a low speed pedestrian warning system.
The Nano EV also gets a reversing camera, tire pressure monitoring system, air conditioning, keyless entry system, telematics system, LED headlights and a 7-inch digital screen.
Reference- HT Auto, GM Online Newsroom, Inside EVs