The clamor for new energy vehicles (NEVs) is gaining traction the world over.
News have it that on the supply side, European carmakers are fined as much as a hundred million US dollars if they fail to meet the established emissions standards. On the demand side, consumer studies in Southeast Asia reveal growing interest in owning an electric vehicle among consumers who are strongly concerned about doing their share in reducing environmental pollution and the other negative effects of climate change.
Throw in present-day concerns about gas prices rocketing sky-high and it makes urgent sense to get serious about switching to EV and establishing the required ecosystem for it.
As far as viable products are concerned, this side of Asia may not need look far. China has been developing its domestic NEV industry since 2009. Interestingly, homegrown Chinese auto manufacturers, like Changan, are first movers in this sector, way before the global nameplates discovered the huge potential of investing in NEVs on Chinese shores.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers state that the country has outpaced the United States as the biggest market for EVs in 2020. Total reported deliveries of EVs and plug-in hybrids hit close to 1.37 million units, up by 10.9% from the 2019 figures, and accounting for 5.4% of total vehicle sales for that year. The association expects the sales of NEVs to grow up to 1.8M and make up a fifth of total car sales in 2025.
This prediction may come earlier than expected. In 2021, the China Passenger Car Association reports that China sold a total of 2.99 M passenger EVs, making for around half of all EVs sold globally. Put more plainly, for every hundred passenger cars sold in China last year, around 15 were NEVs, either hybrid or purely electric.
Electric dreams
Counting among the first movers in the domestic EV industry, Changan International Corporation (CIC) is proudly the first auto manufacturer to roll out electric vehicles for volume production.
As early as 2017, Changan launched its ambitious $US15-B new energy strategy, the “Shangri-La Plan,” which envisions the auto giant to be a global EV leader by 2030, selling at least 3 million NEVs by 2025.
By 2018, CIC had sold a total of 90,000 of its EV units, products of its Chongquing and Beijing research and development facilities dedicated to EV production. Of these models, the first one to hit Philippine shores is the Eado EV460, hailed as China’s “greenest vehicle” and “Model of the Year” at the China Green Car Annual Awards (2018).
In 2021, Changan’s Eado series saw cumulative global sales exceeding 1.2M
Change the current
It was a timely move for Changan Motor Philippines Inc. (CMPI), the country’s official distributor of Changan vehicles, to introduce the purely electric Eado EV 460 among its first five offerings to the public during the brand’s launch in November 2020.
The Eado’s green DNA dates back to the first generation model which took the five-star safety rating at the China New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) in 2012, beating six of its locally produced peers at that time.
This should speak volumes of Changan’s breakthrough concept of pure electric travel.
The R&D team at the Changan new energy labs loaded the Eado EV460 with the industry’s pioneering “three-in-one electric drive” system which allows the energy of each charge to be released to the fullest, achieving longer endurance at the same power level.
This is a major breakthrough as it resolves the nagging issue of “slow charging.” It takes eight hours to fully charge the Eado EV460, which means that you can plug it in overnight without worrying about the next day’s drive. And you only need 30 minutes to do a fast-charge (30-80%)*.
Its Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), powered by a Ternary (lithium ion) battery, yields a maximum power of 136PS and maximum torque of 245NM. The innovative single pedal mode gives you full control of the car’s movement by simply stepping on the accelerator pedal.
Under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the Eado EV460 boasts a cruising range of 430-550km while going at 60km/hour.** Thus the “460” attached to its name. This Changan EV proudly surpasses same-class EVs that are on the market today, which average 300km under the same said driving conditions.
The Eado’s presence signals a new era of intelligent green travel for Filipinos as it has what it takes to be your “basic” yet “not-so-basic” sedan: a sturdy, well-built, simple yet dynamic body design; classy interiors with plush leather seats; air conditioning with a sleek mono digital display; Cruise Control that lets you lock on to your desired speed; a 7-inch digital instrument cluster; an audio system with a 10-inch high-definition touchscreen for cutting edge infotainment and real-time monitoring of your car’s charging state; onboard connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi); and a sun roof!
In the safety department, it offers an enviable suite of smart safety features: 6 airbags, Smart key with illuminated push start/stop button, Anti-lock Braking system, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Traction Control System, Hill Hold Control, Emergency Stop Signal, Reverse Camera, Rear Parking Sensors, ISOFIX, Child Safety Lock, Seatbelt Reminder for driver and front passenger, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
It’s time to Change the Current with the Eado EV460, now available on order at P1,828,000 at the Changan dealership near you. Experience limitless Changan innovation with the Eado EV 460 at the Changan Pavilion at the Manila International Auto Show on April 7 to 10, 2022 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, or get in touch with the Changan dealer nearest you. Visit www.changanphil.com or chat with CAIA thru ChanganPhil on Facebook for more information.
*Applicable at quick charge stations only.
**Approximate cruising range may vary according to different driving habits and road and traffic conditions