$13,000 EV launching in USA
Who says EVs have to be expensive?
The Chinese EV manufacturer and parts manufacturer Kandi Technologies Group is launching two mini-cars in the USA with a starting price as low as US$13,000 ($18,200).
That’s for the K27 mini-car and takes into account the federal income tax credit of US$7500 ($10,500).
But even without financial incentives both the K27 and larger K23 (pictured above) would be priced under US$30,000 ($41,800).
That makes them easily the cheapest EVs sold in the United States.
“At Kandi, we are on a mission to make electric cars accessible for all,” Kandi America CEO Johnny Ta said in a statement.
Initially, they will be sold only in the Dallas-Ford Worth area of Texas.
The K27 comes with a 17.69 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a claimed range between recharges up to 160km, although on what standard that is based isn’t specified.
It has a 20kW electric motor and a 101km/h top speed.
It measures up at just 3.46 metres long, 1.47m wide, 1.61m high and has a 2.45m wheelbase, making it among the smallest cars on the road. It weighs at just over a metric tonne.
The larger K23 comes with a 41.4 kWh battery and a claimed 290km range. A recharge takes 7.5 hours.
Like the K27, it is front-wheel drive. It has a 21kW electric motor and a top speed of 113km/h.
It measures up just under 4.0 metres long, 1.64m wide, 1.62m high and has a 2.64m wheelbase. Considering its size it weighs in at a lardy 1400kg.
A virtual launch will be conducted in August when the order book will be opened ahead of the start of deliveries late in 2020.
It will be fascinating to see how much demand there is.
