Electric K-cars

fyl — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:09:32 -0600

Actually know as kei cars in Japan, they are a (legal) category of small cars there. While the specifications have changed since its introduction in 1949, it is a car of around three meters in length. It has other limitations but they primarily apply to ICE-powered vehicles.

In the electric market, the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is a best seller. Hundreds of thousands of them have been sold.

Other manufacturers have entered the market. The Ora Good Cat and Chery QQ Ice Cream have been on sale for some time. The newest player is is from Geometry (a mark of Geely) and is called the M2.

You may be wondering if such cars make sense outside of China. I think the answer is yes. These vehicles tend to be able to travel at highway speeds with ranges of 100 km or more. And, probably more important, they cost in the $7000 range in China. Even for $10,000 in the US or Europe, they seem like an ideal second car.

EV Range Scales

fyl — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 07:11:39 -0600

There are multiple range scales for EVs. Let's try to sort out what they mean.

EPA -- This is a range rating scale from the U.S. Environmental Agency
WLTP -- Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure
NEDC -- New European Driving Cycle
CLTC -- China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle

The EPA rating is commonly used in the U.S. and fairly accurately reflects the actual range you will achieve with your electric vehicle. WLTP is typically used in Europe and, like the EPA, if fairly accurate.

NEDC and CLTC tend to be very "generous". That is, they tend to indicate a much greater range than you will actually attain in real world use of the vehicle. NEDC is an old standard pretty much replaced by the WLTP.

CLTC is a new standard but that doesn't make it accurate. In general, it tends to be 15% to 25% more generous that actual driving experience.

Electric Vehicles: Pages

Electric K-cars

EV Range Scales