Five new Chinese EVs you’ve never heard of

In Australia the promised flood of electric vehicles is still yet to arrive, but in China it’s been going on for years.

It seems every day or two a new EV is launched, many of them from brands we’ve never heard of down under.

So here’s a look at some of the latest Chinese new arrivals. Some of them are compelling, others oddball, but all are interesting.

Also see our list of all the upcoming electric cars coming soon in our EV Calendar.

BYD Han

One of China’s best-known EV brands, BYD (Build Your Dreams) has rolled out its new flagship sedan.

Measuring up at 4.98m long and with a wheelbase just under 3.0m, it is roughly the same size as the old Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon sedans that used to be built in Australia.

But similarities pretty much end there. The range starts with a plug-in hybrid and then adds three electric vehicles using BYD’s new ‘blade’ lithium-ion phosphate battery.

The blade name refers to the shape of the pack, which is flatter and more elongated than usual.

The two-wheel drive Han has a 163kW/330Nm motor and the four-wheel drive offers 363kW/680Nm. Range on the NEDC test is rated between 550km and 605km.

The PHEV has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a rated range of 81km in EV mode.

Geometry C

The second model from Geely’s BEV brand and the first SUV will hit the Chinese market in the third quarter of 2020.

The C is fitted with a 150kW/310Nm motor fed by 160.28Wh/g or 183.23Wh/g lithium-ion battery packs enabling a NEDC-rated range of 400km or 550km.

Ora White Cat

According to the PR blurb this car – a product of Great Wall Motors’ BEV division – resembles a cat ready to catch its prey delivering a sense of agility and strength.

Sure, yep, looks like a box on wheels to us.

But that shape certainly helps with functionality as Ora claims folding down the rear seat releases 867 litres of luggage space.

Driven by 35kW or 45kW motors fed by a CATL-developed ternary-lithium 34kWh or 38kWh battery pack, the White Cat has an impressive 360km or 401km range based on the NEDC test.

Hongqi E-HS9

A large luxury SUV, the imposing E-HS9 battery electric vehicle made its debut in late July.

Hongqi is part of the FAW (First Auto Works) Group and it says the E-HS9 is the first of three to five new models to be rolled out each year for the next five years.

Based on the E115 concept shown at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show, the E-HS9 is a dual-motor design delivering a combined 380kW and 770Nm. The motors are fed by a 92.4kWh battery pack.

Nio EC6

Released at the recent Chengdu motor show, the EC6 is four-door coupe SUV aimed at BEVs such as the Tesla Model Y.

It is the third model from the Chinese start-up with global ambitions, which has been in deep financial trouble. However, it has shown signs of revival as global investment in EV brands lifts.

The EC6 line-up is topped by version with a 160kW motor up front and a 240kW motor at the rear. It has a 100kWh battery pack that delivers a range between recharges of almost 600km.