TOP Chinese electric vehicles in Ukraine

Many motorists have a rather biased attitude towards the Chinese car industry - these are cheap, but very low-quality cars, in most cases, they are a bad copy of well-known European brands. It was, but 10-15 years ago. Now the "Chinese" have seriously improved the build quality, tightened the design and appearance, used modern components and materials, used the latest technological advances.

This fully applies to electric vehicles. It is worth noting that at the end of 2020, there are 3 Chinese models among the TOP-10 best-selling electric vehicles in the world. The same number belongs to the recognized leader of the electric car market Tesla.

Top 5 electric cars from China

The most popular among Ukrainian motorists are the following models of “electric cars” from China:

• BYD Dolphin
• Xpeng P7
• NIO ES6
• Chery eQ1 (Little Ant)
• BYD Tang EV

BYD Dolphin

A compact electric hatchback that combines efficiency, stylish design, and modern technology. Built on the BYD e-Platform 3.0, it features an electric motor with 70 kW (95 hp) and a 44.9 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 405 km (NEDC).

The vehicle supports fast DC charging up to 60 kW, allowing it to recharge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes. The interior includes a digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone charging, and an electronic parking brake.

Additionally, the BYD Dolphin is equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and a 360° surround-view camera, enhancing driving safety.

Xpeng P7

A premium electric sedan that combines power, autonomy, and advanced self-driving technology. It features a battery with a capacity of 82.7 or 86.2 kWh, offering a range of up to 610 km (WLTP). Available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions, with a maximum power output of 430 hp and 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.3 seconds.

The car supports fast charging up to 175 kW, allowing the battery to recharge from 10% to 80% in 28 minutes. The interior boasts a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system, voice control, and a Dynaudio premium audio system with 18 speakers.

Xpeng P7 also features the XPILOT 3.0 autonomous driving system, which utilizes lidar, cameras, and radar for advanced driver assistance, including automatic lane changes and adaptive cruise control.

NIO ES6

A premium electric SUV that combines high performance, cutting-edge technology, and extended range. It is available with two battery options: 75 kWh (490 km range, CLTC) and 100 kWh (625 km range, CLTC). In the top version, dual motors generate 544 hp, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

The ES6 supports fast charging up to 150 kW, allowing it to recharge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. It also features NIO Battery Swap technology, which enables a full battery replacement in minutes without waiting for a recharge.

The interior is equipped with a 12.8-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, premium audio system, and NOMI AI voice assistant. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a 360° camera system.

Chery eQ1 (Little Ant)

A compact city electric car designed for efficient and eco-friendly urban commuting. Thanks to its lightweight aluminum body, the vehicle boasts high energy efficiency. It comes with a 40 or 55 kW (54–75 hp) electric motor and a 38 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 301 km (NEDC).

The Little Ant supports fast DC charging, allowing the battery to recharge from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes. Its compact dimensions ensure excellent maneuverability, while the interior features a 7-inch digital instrument panel, touchscreen infotainment system, and a rearview camera.

Safety features include electronic stability control (ESP), ABS, tire pressure monitoring system, and dual airbags. Thanks to its compact size, low energy consumption, and modern technologies, the Chery eQ1 is an ideal choice for city driving.

BYD Tang EV

A full-size electric SUV that combines power, comfort, and extended range. It is equipped with a 108.8 kWh Blade Battery (LFP), delivering a range of up to 635 km (CLTC).

Dual electric motors provide a total output of 517 hp, enabling 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.4 seconds. The car supports fast charging up to 170 kW, allowing it to recharge from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes.

The interior features a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Dynaudio premium audio system, panoramic sunroof, and heated leather seats. Additional features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, a 360° camera system, and automatic emergency braking.

Additional list of Chinese electric cars available in Ukraine

In addition to the main models presented in the rating, the market of Chinese electric cars offers many other interesting options. Here is an additional list of promising models that deserve attention due to technology, power reserve and good value for money.

Velite 6 MAV (manufacturer - a joint production of SAIC and General Motors)

The model was first presented to the public in May 2020. Machine with a 110 kW electric motor and a sufficiently capacious 52.5 kWh battery. The mileage on one charge is about 300 km. The presence of the express charging standard allows you to replenish the battery by 80% within 40 minutes.

NIO ET Preview (manufacturer – NIO)

Serial production of this model is scheduled for 2021. However, since the appearance of the concept in 2019, this electric car has been referred to as the "Chinese Tesla". The manufacturer has not yet announced the final technical parameters. Today it is known that it is planned to use two electric motors with a total capacity of about 220 kW and a battery of 84 kW * h. Thanks to this, the car will have a power reserve of about 500 km without recharging.

Electric Xpeng P7 (manufactured – Xpeng Motors)

The electric car has dimensions unusual for its type - almost 5 meters in length and about 3 meters in width. The model is available in two versions. With one 196 kW electric motor. and a battery with a capacity of 80.87 kWh, which provides a power reserve of about 550 km without recharging. The premium version provides two power plants with a total capacity of 316 kW, a battery of about 100 kW * h, four-wheel drive and a maximum mileage on a single charge is also about 550 km. And until the NIO ET Preview went into mass production, it is the Xpeng P7 that tries on the title of "Chinese Tesla".

Borgward BXi7 (Beijing BorgwardAutomotive)

Borgward is an old German brand that ended its existence in 1961. Thanks to the efforts of Chinese investors, the brand was revived in China. The BXi7 electric all-wheel-drive crossover has two electric motors that together produce about 200 kW. The battery capacity is quite small - 49 kW * h, because of this, the power reserve is a modest 250 km. Express Charge allows you to recharge your battery up to 50% in 30 minutes.

JAC iEVS4 (JAC Motors)

The city crossover has a 66 kW * h battery, a 110 kW power plant, and a cruising range of about 400 km. The fast-charging standard allows you to charge the battery up to 50% in just 30 minutes. And to ensure the movement of 80 km., It is enough to recharge the battery for just 10 minutes.

Xpeng G3 (Xpeng Motors)

Another creation of the famous Chinese brand is equipped with one 145 kW electric motor. with two battery options - 50.5 and 66.6 kWh. Depending on the capacity of the battery, the range can range from 460 to 520 km as calculated by the NEDC

NIO ES6

The premium five and seven-seater model, which has several configuration options. Two motors with a total power of 320 kW are offered. and two motors with a total capacity of 400 kW. You can also choose as many as three battery options - 70 kW * h, 84 kW * h., and 100 kWh. Depending on the configuration, the duration of the run without charging will be 430, 510, or 600 km.

Geely Geometry A (Geely)

The electric car is equipped with two battery options - 51.9 and 61.9 kWh. - and one 120 kW electric motor. The power reserve will be, depending on the battery capacity, 300 or 400 km. There is support for the fast charging standard.

Changan Nio II ( manufacturer – Changan Auchan)

The small two-seater front-wheel-drive electric car has a 30 kW electric motor. and a battery with a capacity of 21 kWh. The cruising range is about 200 km.

FAW Besturn X40 EV400 (manufacturer – FAW)

The power of a single electric motor is 140 kW, the battery capacity is 52.5 kW * h. Without recharging, the power reserve is about 300 km. on the NEDC cycle.

JAC iEV7 (manufacturer – JAC Motors)

The second representative of the JAC Motors concern in the TOP of Chinese electric vehicles has one 50 kW electric motor and a 35.2 kW * h battery. The range is 250 km. The presence of a fast-charging standard allows you to charge 80% of the capacity in 60 minutes, and a full charge takes place in 90 minutes.

BYD E1 (BYD)

The BYD brand has perhaps the broadest lineup of electric vehicles of any Chinese manufacturer. It has as many as 17 models of various classes. Specifically, the E1 is a hatchback, which is equipped with a 45 kW power plant. and a battery with a capacity of 32.2 kW * h. This model can travel from 300 to 350 km on a single charge. And you can charge the battery by 50% in standard mode in 1.5 hours.

GAC Aion S (GAC Group)

Another model that, according to manufacturers, will surpass Tesla. This front-wheel-drive electrician has a single 135 kW engine and is equipped with a 49.4 or 58.8 kWh battery. The power reserve is very decent - about 500 km. in the NEDC cycle (in WLTP about 400 km.).

MG EZS (SAIC)

This representative of the Chinese electric car industry is equipped with one 110 kW electric motor, has a front-wheel drive, and a battery capacity of 44.5 kW * h. These parameters allow you to have a cruising range of about 350 km. in an NEDC cycle without recharging. When using the fast charging standard, the battery charging time is only 30 minutes.

Yema EC60 (Yema)

So far, the Yema brand is little known even in China, not to mention the rest of the world. However, it has already released two compact electric crossovers. The EC60 is equipped with a 115 kW electric motor. and a battery with a capacity of 66 kW * h, has front-wheel drive and a power reserve without charging about 450 km.

As you can see, already now, car manufacturers from China are ready to offer the world a fairly wide range of electric cars. At the same time, the number of Chinese electric cars is constantly growing - products of both well-known brands and new names appear.

Advantages of purchasing electric cars from China

Assortment of models

Chinese-made electric vehicles are represented in almost all segments - from small family cars to prestigious business class cars. Therefore, every car enthusiast can choose a Chinese car of any class for himself. Unlike European concerns, the products of Chinese automakers are represented by a very wide range.

Cost

The undoubted advantage of the Chinese car industry has always been and remains the price. Road transport from China is a sure budget alternative to expensive cars from the USA, Europe, and Japan. For the same money, you can buy a new Chinese car with a manufacturer's warranty or a used European (American) car with possible hidden defects. Moreover, if we talk about models in the price range from 13 to 30 thousand dollars, then here Chinese electric cars are practically out of the competition. What is important, there are several models of different classes in this price range.

Complete set and technical parameters

Chinese electric cars are not inferior to their competitors from Europe and America in such a key indicator as to the duration of the run on one charge. True, this is not so much an achievement of Chinese technologies like the use of batteries from the same manufacturers (Samsung SDL, CALT) as other brands.

As for the configuration, there is a fairly extensive set of options for every taste: multimedia capabilities, security, climate, control, synchronization with a smartphone, keyless entry, a virtual dashboard, etc.

Purchase of an electric car

Buying an electric car in Ukraine is a fairly simple matter. The buyer turns to qualified specialists (as a rule, a specialized company), explains the description and the desired parameters of the future car, indicates the approximate cost at which he is ready to purchase a car. The company takes care of all issues related to the purchase of a car: search for the required option, delivery to Ukraine, customs clearance, certification. In total, it takes about 2-3 months from the moment of contact and until the buyer receives his car. The main way to transport goods from China is in containers on sea vessels. Delivery is carried out to the port of Odesa. Further - in auto transporters or by car to the final point of delivery.

Operation and maintenance

Until recently, the operation of an electric vehicle in Ukraine was one big problem: the almost complete absence of stations for refueling electric vehicles, the lack of specialized services, and qualified specialists. However, the situation has changed dramatically in recent years. The number of filling stations has increased tenfold. Now there are more than 1000 charging stations across the country, including more and more high-speed charging stations (so far about 10-15% of the total). High-quality service stations and competent specialists appeared. On the Internet, you can find many resources, forums, blogs, where you can find out in an accessible form, for example, what to do if an electric car is discharged or study the nuances of winter operation of an electric car, get acquainted with the experience of operating electric vehicles by other drivers.

One specific feature of electric cars from China should be pointed out - they have their own individual GB / T charging standard. And today there are no charging stations with such a standard in Ukraine. However, this problem can be solved very simply - you just need to purchase an adapter for the widespread Type 2 standard or, if necessary, for the CHAdeMO express charging standard. Also, specialized services in Ukraine have learned to remake the GB / T standard for CHAdeMO. And to solve possible problems with charging the car, you can purchase a charging station at shop. Here you can also see the map of charging stations.

Thus, there are no critical difficulties in the operation of Chinese electric vehicles in Ukraine. At least there are no more of them than when operating an electric car of any other brand.

At the same time, the undoubted advantage of electric vehicles is simplified maintenance. There is no need to change the oil in the engine, which serves an interval of about 20-30 thousand km, and the whole design of the electric motor is much simpler than that of an internal combustion engine.

As you can see, so far, Ukrainian motorists, even among Chinese electric vehicles, prefer to buy models containing more understandable and familiar brands in the name - Honda, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan. However, the good quality, technical, and technological leap made by the Chinese automakers is increasingly focusing on the models of Chinese brands. Therefore, presumably, the sale of Chinese electric cars in Ukraine and around the world will only increase.