Go electric in China for $13k

Geometry, the pure electric brand launched by Geely, has launched its most affordable EV to date in China – the EX3 sub-compact crossover.

It is launching with an estimated pre-sale estimated base price of 59,700 yuan, or the equivalent of about NZ$13,350.

That makes it one of the most affordable five-seat EVs in the Chinese market.

The EX3 comes in at about four metres long with a wheelbase just shy of 2.5m.

The trunk has a maximum capacity of 500 litres and 1,050l with seats folded down. 

It is powered by a liquid-cooled 37.23kWh battery that offers up to 322km of range under the NEDC cycle. 

A single electric motor rated at 70kW and 180Nm of torque is said to provide performance “on par” with traditional petrol-powered vehicles.

Charging the battery pack from zero to 80 per cent takes less than 30 minutes using high-speed DC chargers. The EV can also charge its pack by plugging into a normal household 220-voly socket. The standard safety kit includes dual airbags, backup sensors and cameras, tyre-pressure monitoring and ABS with EBD.

The front of the car is based on the combustion-engined Yuanjing X3 launched in 2017. However, the two-tone dashboard appears redesigned with a freestanding eight-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch instrument cluster.

The EX3 features the marque’s G-Link connectivity app providing mobile-device mirroring, native QQ music, Autonavi navigation, Ximalaya radio, voice control and in-car wi-fi. 

To start with, the car will be available at Geometry dealers covering more than 20 Chinese cities, but Geely says it will also look to export markets “in due course.”