How Far Can The Cheapest EVs Travel On A Single Charge?
Good cars are getting cheap, which is great news for us consumers. Gone are the days when common folks were flogged with underwhelming vehicles both in terms of build quality and performance. Thanks to stiff competition between manufacturers, affordable cars are getting increasingly better with each new iteration.
The same rings true for electric vehicles. Unlike their predecessors from the 1990s, the new crop of EVs is technically advanced, especially when it comes to battery management. As a result, they can condition their batteries to last longer, yet be efficient enough to travel long distances without inducing range anxiety.
For the sake of this “affordable” comparison we are going to be looking at EVs that are under the RM150,000 mark, which isn’t that many for now. How far can they travel on a single charge?
Neta V
Price: RM100,000
One of the cheapest new EVs in Malaysia, the Neta V has a 70kW front mounted motor and a 38.54 kWh battery. On full charge the car can travel about 380km, which is more than enough for journeys within the city or short trips out of town. But that isn’t all, the battery can also be used to supply power to electrical appliances for outdoor activities at a maximum discharge rate of 3.3kW.
BYD Dolphin
Price: RM100,530 (Standard)
BYD knows a thing or two about batteries, which is why it’s given the Dolphin a 44.9 kWh Blade battery pack that is supposed to be far safer than traditional lithium-ion ones of competitor EVs. The Dolphin may be the cheapest car in the company’s line up, but it doesn’t look like it. On a full charge, the Standard variant can travel 410km, which makes it a practical runabout.
The Extended version has a 60.48 kWh battery pack that when fully charged, gives the car a range of 490km. That said, it costs significantly more at RM125,730 but you are getting a more powerful car for your money.
MG4 EV
Price: RM103,999 (Standard)
A hatchback that offers excellent value for money. The Standard variant comes with a 51kWh battery that offers a range of about 350km. Though it’s also the slowest of all four variants, it should be enough for most people’s needs. Its motor has a 125kW power rating, which allows it to sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The XPOWER variant, which is also the most expensive in the lineup, can achieve the same feat in 3.8 seconds, which is sports car level “fast”. If you’d like to acquire such performance, you’ll need to fork out RM158,999, but that asking price is out of the reach of most bargain hunting buyers.
GWM Ora Good Cat
Price: RM113,800 (400 Pro)
It’s the funkiest of the lot, GWM’s Ora Good Cat looks like it draws inspiration from various vehicles. That said, its non-threatening look should be appealing to consumers who want something unique. The 400 Pro has a 47.78kWh battery pack that offers a range of 310km on a full charge.
This range is significantly lower than what its cheaper rivals can offer, but the car has a more unique look compared to them, which some say resembles a baby Porsche.
BYD Atto 3
Price:RM149,800 (Standard)
A mid-size SUV that has proven that electric vehicles can look as posh as their petrol-powered counterparts. Measuring 4,455mm long, 1,875mm wide and 1,615mm high, the Atto 3 Standard is an SUV that looks like it can do it all. The cheapest variant in the lineup, it has a 49.92 kWh battery pack that offers a range of 410km on a single charge.
Its electric motor has a power output of 150kW, which should be enough for quick bursts of acceleration while executing an overtaking maneuver. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in about 7.3 seconds, which is respectable for an SUV of its size.
