Following the Hong Guang Mini EV, SAIC and
GM’s Wuling brand has now launched another electric vehicle. It’s called the
Rong Guang EV and it has a much more utilitarian nature. That’s because it’s a
compact van that comes either in commercial or passenger configurations. In the
unlikely case you find it looks familiar, it’s because the Rong Guang EV is
nothing more than the electrified version of an existing van, the Wuling Rong
Guang.
Launched in 2008, the Rong Guang has now
gained an all-electric powertrain that should help it last even longer on the
Chinese market. Based on the longer body style of its ICE-powered sibling, the
Rong Guang EV has a 3,050-millimeter wheelbase and a length of 4,490
mm. This enables it to offer 5.1 cubic meters of cargo
space.
It’s powered by a 42-kWh battery pack
which supports conventional AC charging and DC fast charging. Using AC
charging, the battery can be fully charged in seven hours. With DC fast
charging, it can be fully charged in just two hours.
The driving range differs according to the
body style. The commercial version with sealed side and back windows is said to
cover 252 kilometers on a full charge, while the passenger version
is good for 300 km.
Besides the EV powertrain, other upgrades
compared to the regular Rong Guang include electric power steering (EPS) and a
driver’s side airbag. Prices for the Wuling Rong Guang EV start from 83,800
yuan (US$ 11,800) for the panel van and 89,900 yuan (US$ 12,650) for the passenger
model. Customers can pay even less for it as the electric van is eligible for
national subsidies for new energy vehicles.
