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Mini EVs in China

584K views 758 replies 15 participants last post by  Chinese LSEV 
#1 · (Edited)
Recently, Erik of cmvdc and I had some e-mail discussion about the small low-power electric vehicles (not the golf carts, but those four-wheelers which actually look like cars). Examples are Fulu, Yogomo. Erik and I agreed that there was scant information about these vehicles (only very few manufacturers are well known), so I decided to create this thread to invite responses from CCF members knowledgeable in this field. One can also provide links to specific threads in this forum itself where a certain vehicle or maker has featured. Also info on the makers themselves like estimated turnover or production capacity/volumes can be shared so one has an idea on the size and scope of this largely ignored sector. I acknowledge that such vehicles often don't have standard designs or specifications and are often cobbled together from different parts and panels. Nevertheless, any information is good information. Pictures can also be submitted for identification, etc.

I would also like to include those cars with small displacement gas engines (like 300-400cc) within the scope of this discussion.

Thanks.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Thanks, Martin, you have risen to the occasion and made the good start. I am in the process of collecting some pics and info and will post in the next few days.

Fulu (Costa Rica) gallery: http://www.fulucostarica.com/galeria/

Fulu's petrol engine model: FLC3 (this one is slightly larger, in the Tata Nano class, with a 600 cc 26kW engine).
The electric version is FLE3 with a 5.6 kW motor.



The FLE5 has a 149 cc petrol version, FLC5.

Martin's own introductory post on Fulu from CCF
 
#4 · (Edited)
Greenauto (Shandong Xinming Glass Fibre Manufacture Co)

en.greenautocn.com, www.xmblg.com

Greenauto SH1200L EV/ SH125CC (gas)

(Edit: This is the same minicar as the Tianjin Qingyuan ZX-LD. See here and here.)





SH5000F EV

Interior:
Car Vehicle Wheel Hood Automotive tire


For other models, visit the company's products page.

Note: Often the same design is made/traded by different manufacturers, so assignment of model to maker may not always be accurate. Please do not hesitate to correct/notify if a mistake is spotted.
 
#7 · (Edited)
#9 · (Edited)
Martin, appreciated!

Edit: Just for the record, the GreenGo Tek Cozmo (Suzuki Swift-like) is made by Jiangsu DHCLBC as LBC EF2 (CF-1 gas version) and also exported to Europe as Bellier Jade.

Dezhou Jiayi Vehicle Industry Co. Ltd.
http://www.jiayicheye.com/

Fuxing series:



Baoma (=BMW!) series (yes, seriously):


(BMW can keep its i3 and i8 to itself. We've got the i0 !)
____________

Also another vehicle, Xuanli series
Tire Automotive parking light Wheel Automotive side-view mirror Land vehicle
 
#10 ·
Collecting all these minicars is not helping us, Dmitra. There are over a hundred or maybe a lot more of these. It is very difficult to find out which is really a factory and which is in fact a trade company, just rebadging and selling products which are made elsewhere. Some companies even do both. What we need is order: production statistics is one way, or type approvals. It is incredible that a society so organised as the Chinese has done nothing with these products, I nearly can't believe it.
 
#11 ·
Relevant studies

Yes Erik, I understand the predicament. I went through a lot of articles, reports, studies on the web (links are given below), and the upshot of it all is that this "low speed electric vehicle" (低速电动汽车) industry remains unregulated. There was some talk of NDRC/MIIT/State Council apparently beginning a pilot project in Shandong (the province with the most LSEV makers) to see if this industry could be brought under regulation, but eventually that did not turn out to be the case and the ministries issued a denial.

You can read how Shifeng, etc. had made investments but everything is hanging in balance as the national ministries do not seem to favor/encourage this industry. It is following a policy of "Three No-es" with respect to this sector, i.e No license/legal identity, no support/subsidies, no qualification/approval.

Just take some time and go through them - they make interesting reading.

1. www.un.org/esa/dsd/resources/res_pdfs/csd-19/Background-Paper-9-China.pdf

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/20/business/global/rural-chinese-flock-to-tiny-electric-cars.html?_r=0

3. http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/85/94/83/PDF/Wang_2013-GBOE-Final.pdf

4. http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/85/94/84/PDF/Kimble_2013-JOBS-Final.pdf

5. http://asian-power.com/project/news/production-low-speed-electric-vehicles-rising-in-china

6. http://www.automotive-iq.com/alternative-powertrains/columns/will-low-speed-electric-vehicles-save-china-s-ev-m/

7. "Shandong Becomes Hub of Low Speed Electric Vehicles" (URL shortener used)

8. http://sd.ifeng.com/zbc/detail_2013_10/25/1374582_0.shtml

9. http://auto.163.com/13/1021/15/9BNIINGR000851PI.html

10. http://www.5minnews.com/Automotive/2156.html

(the last three in Chinese)

Here is a market research report (http://www.marketsnresearch.com/report/173949.php) which contains the kind of data you have been looking for - unfortunately it is paid content and frightfully expensive.

Here is cached text from another short report which sums up everything nicely.
The original report was here: http://www.metal.com/newscontent/50926_low-speed-electric-vehicles-attract-rmb-15-billion-in-investment-future-hinges-on-policy:

"Low-Speed Electric Vehicles Attract RMB 15 Billion in Investment, Future Hinges on Policy

Jul 09, 2013 01:59 GMT Source:SMM
Tags: low-speed electric vehicle, China electric vehicle

SHANGHAI, Jul. 8 (SMM) – The Shandong Automobile Manufacturers’ Association surveyed its 22 members, finding that their output of low-speed electric vehicles has jumped from 18,221 in 2010, to 68,203, then 86,709 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Output through the first five months in 2013 was 50,214 vehicles, 30,000 of which have been exported.  

The market potential of low-speed electric vehicles is attracting a torrent of investment.
  
Shifeng Group and Fulu Motor have each invested RMB 1 billion in their 200,000 vehicle/yr and 100,000 vehicle/yr low-speed electric vehicle projects, respectively. Dezhou Baoya New Energy spent RMB 1.1 billion on its Phase I 100,000 vehicle/yr project, while Byvin Corporation injected RMB 1.5 billion in its 150,000 vehicle/yr project. Collectively, new investment in the low-speed electric vehicle segment passed RMB 15 billion as of May 2013.
  
Despite its apparent potential, this segment remains hostage to the national policy environment. Low-speed electric vehicle are not currently eligible to be licensed by the Ministry of Public Security since the vehicle class is not listed in the Ministry of Industry & Information Technology’s (MIIT) Announcement of Vehicle Manufacturers & Products. This is a major hurdle confronting manufacturers of these vehicles.
  
A trial Entrance Requirements for Low-Speed Electric Vehicle Manufacturers & Products and a pilot program were developed by the MIIT back in 2011 and circulated for input from other ministries, but the program has remain stalled due to a lack of consensus.
  
The MIIT and China Automotive Technology & Research Center completed a research project on low-speed electric vehicles late last year, including product development and testing, cost analysis, and crash tests.
  
The research project was undertaken to further discuss with other ministries over the pilot program, but progress remains uncertain, according to a producer of low-speed vehicles close to the process.
"​
 
#12 ·
Well, this is a great study, DMitra, many thanks. It proves that we are not the only ones who got lost, the Chinese authorities too, only in Shandong there is some organisation.
Here is a nice video of the Xindayang (www.evcar.com), from Linyi, Shandong (of course), it shows how professionally and seriously these companies operate: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1vJ4lzejqk[/ame]
 
#13 · (Edited)
Yes, an impressive PR video, although I won't understand the narration.

_______________

OK, I am adding just one new EV here, because I found the product interesting (you'll see why) and, from the images, it looks pretty well put together and finished. It is called Foton Wuxing "Luqi 6361" from Zhucheng,SD.



Source: baixing.com

There's a thread @ Autohome forum.

Seller's URL: www.ft5x.com
 
#14 ·
In my catalogue (http://www.chinesecars.net/content/catalogue-present-chinese-motor-car-production) I have included 14 makes of LSEV (Low Speed Electrical Vehicles), seven from Shandong (Baoya, Cestar, Fulu, Haige, Huoyun, Shifeng, T-King) and seven from the rest of China (Kaiersma, Kandi, LBC, Mycar, Suda, Tianjin Qingyuan and Yogomo). I will include Byvin, Foton Wuxing and Zhidou (from Xindayang).
These 17 seems to me the most important at this moment.
In my photo archive, I have also: Aoxin, Aucma, Bendi, Bidewen, Dafone, Duracar, Fangneng, Fangzi, Flybo, Fuxing, Greenauto, Greengotek, Greentec, Greenwheel, Guangsheng, Haike, Haoyu, Jiayi, Jiayuan, Jinghong, Jixing, Joy, Lansel, Longdi, Longrui, Lujun, Mende, Richauto, Shiwei, Sonik, Sunmotor, Tanghua, Tongxingye, Wande, Weifang, Woben, Wonder, Xinming, Yaxi, Yincheng, Yingang and Zhongxing EV.
 
#16 ·
#22 · (Edited)
Foton Wuxing

Some additional info:

Foton Wuxing is a subsidiary of Foton Lovol International Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (formerly known as Shandong Foton Heavy Industries), which is part of Beiqi Foton, itself a part of BAIC. Foton Lovol is a manufacturer of construction and agricultural heavy equipment like tractors and excavators, engines, etc.

The "Luqi 6361" LSEV is also listed on the Foton Lovol website as the "IY41102"

Foton Lovol: http://en.lovol.com.cn/

Apart from this, Kandi, T-King, and Shifeng are perhaps the only LSEV makers I have encountered which are (or are connected to) NDRC-recognized automobile manufacturers. Could I be missing any others?
 
#24 · (Edited)
Shifeng is assigned the code SSF for Category 1,3 & 5 and SF for Category 2 & 4 vehicles. Examples are:

SSF1041HDJ41
SSF3041DDJ31
SSF5040GSS
SF2010PD-4
SF4020D

These are trucks or dump trucks or agri-purpose trucks (like sprinklers).
_____

Answering your other question is tricky, though. From one of those reports I referred to earlier, I quote:

"The typical LSEV consists of an accelerator, brakes, steering wheel, and a lead acid battery
pack. The electric motor is connected directly to the accelerator; most models do not have a
battery management or motor control system. There are now two main variants. The original
version was based on the architecture of a golf cart, and another version was based around
the architecture of a small automobile, such as the QQ from Chery. The typical top speed for
such vehicles is between 40 and 60 kilometers per hour."
I would add that typically, LSEVs have rated outputs lower than 20kW (peak output may be higher in cases). So yes, by the above numerical criteria, the Zotye, Zotye-Kandi, Geely-Kandi, Dongfeng, and Roewe small EVs would be LSEVs, but I think the authorities also take into account technological sophistication (like more evolved powertrain/transmission systems, structural integrity, safety features, R&D background) and the fact that these latter EVs use lithium-ion (like lithium magnesium) batteries instead of lead-acid. I think the use of lead-acid batteries, with its environmental consequences, was the chief reason the LSEV industry was frowned upon (although now some LSEV makers are using lithium batteries for exports). If LSEV makers use these new batteries (and other superior technology) in their cars, prices would escalate such that the targeted consumer segment either would no longer find these to be affordable, or migrate to safer and more comfortable alternatives in the mainstream car sector at these higher prices. The authorities are also making a proper distinction by classifying these more modern vehicles (whose industry they support and promote) as NEVs, as opposed to LSEVs.

I don't know if I made myself clear in that rambling paragraph, but I guess as a thumb rule: LSEV = power< 20 kW, max speed < 80 kph, and use of lead acid battery. If it has a lithium battery and an NDRC code, then NEV!

It remains to be seen if some of the R&D-backed new-generation LSEVs, like Shifeng's D101 or Byvin's LEVDEO D50, evolve technologically enough to satisfy and convince the authorities to grant NDRC recognition in the future.
_______

Since you mention JAC, I am assuming you are thinking of the Anchi MC6320A. The interesting thing is that MC6320A is not a bona fide NDRC code. I can find no such code in the NDRC lists - the alphanumeric was made up by Anchi to look like an NDRC code. Anyway, Baoya and Yuedi now seem to be the most prolific assemblers of that car.
 
#25 ·
Well, again, nice work. I agree with your points of view, but this LSEV market is progressing very quickly, not only in numbers but also in technological development.
The Anchi was registered as MC6330EG3 and MC6330E.
I mean this model from JAC, here attached.
 

Attachments

#26 ·
The MC6330EG3 and MC6330E both are the original Tico/Baili based model.
See here and here.

That little yellow/green creature you showed above was displayed in 2010, I think, and was developed in association with the Hefei Univ. of Technology, based on the YueYue. It was reported in the media as HFC7000W1Q and HFC7000W1L (with lead-acid and lithium batteries, respectively).

My source is this: http://auto.sina.com.cn/news/2010-02-09/1456568186.shtml, and similar reports.

The JAC electric car I can actually find in the NDRC list is the HFC7000AEV, which is the electric version of the A13/Tojoy.

Yes, some of the LSEV makers are indeed taking big strides, and good luck to them and may their tribe flourish ! (More fodder for enthusiasts like us to chew on :)).
 
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