We haven't heard much about NEVS lately but that's
changing today as the company has begun production of the Saab-based 9-3
electric vehicle. Billed as an "important milestone in implementing the
NEVS vision to shape mobility for a more sustainable future," the 9-3
looks virtually identical to the Saab version which was produced in Sweden
years ago.
NEVS didn't say much about the vehicle but the
company has previously said the model will have a range of 300 km on a single charge. The car is also slated to feature a WiFi hotspot,
over-the-air software updates and an advanced air filtration system to deal
with China's infamous smog problem. NEVS is targeting an annual production
capacity of 50,000 units but hopes to increase that number to 220,000 units in
the future.
The company also announced it is developing three
generations of electric vehicles and the second and third generations will be
developed in close co-operation with DiDi Chuxing which is billed as the
"world’s leading one-stop diversified mobility platform." As part of
partnership, NEVS will provide DiDi with "cost-effective high-end
EVs."
In related news, DiDi, GEIDCO (Global Energy
Interconnection Corporation) and NEVS have formed a new joint venture that will
"provide services and infrastructure to the increasing Mobility on Demand
Electric Vehicles."
