Changan Benben E-Star gets new low-cost edition
The Changan Benben E-Star is now available in a new low-cost version called National Edition with a starting price of 29.800 yuan (3.792 euros). Yes, you seen it right, it costs less than 4.000 euros and makes the popular Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV look overpriced…
The biggest downside of this low-cost edition is that it’s based on the old model, the exterior and interior don’t look as modern as the refreshed edition, as you can see in the image below.
Changan Benben E-Star different editions
Let’s see the main differences between the National Edition and the refresh.
Changan Benben E-Star National Edition (Heartbeat trim-level)
- Length: 3.730 mm
- Wheelbase: 2.410 mm
- Width: 1.650 mm
- Height: 1.560 mm
- Curb weight: 1.125 kg
- Tire specifications: 175/60 R15
- Wheels: steel
- Number of seats: 5
- Trunk volume: 147 L
- Motor: 30 kW and 150 N.m of torque (air cooled)
- Maximum speed: 101 km/h
- DC fast charging: not available
- On-board charging: 5,5 hours
- Range: 150 km (NEDC) and around 110 km in WLTP
- Battery capacity: 23,38 kWh (LFP chemistry)
- Starting price: 29.800 yuan (3.792 euros)
Changan Benben E-Star National Edition (Xinyue trim-level)
- Length: 3.730 mm
- Wheelbase: 2.410 mm
- Width: 1.650 mm
- Height: 1.560 mm
- Curb weight: 1.150 kg
- Tire specifications: 175/60 R15
- Wheels: steel
- Number of seats: 5
- Trunk volume: 147 L
- Motor: 55 kW and 170 N.m of torque (liquid cooled)
- Maximum speed: 125 km/h
- DC fast charging: optional
- On-board charging: 8,35 hours
- Range: 301 km (NEDC) and around 220 km in WLTP
- Battery capacity: 32,2 kWh (NCM chemistry) and 31,18 kWh (LFP chemistry)
- Starting price: 39.800 yuan (5.064 euros)
Changan Benben E-Star refreshed edition
- Length: 3.770 mm
- Wheelbase: 2.410 mm
- Width: 1.650 mm
- Height: 1.570 mm
- Curb weight: 1.180 kg
- Tire specifications: 175/60 R15
- Wheels: aluminum alloy
- Number of seats: 5
- Motor: 55 kW and 170 N.m of torque (liquid cooled)
- Maximum speed: 125 km/h
- DC fast charging: 30 minutes (30-80 %)
- On-board charging: 8,35 hours
- Range: 310 km (NEDC) and around 220 km in WLTP
- Battery capacity: 32,2 kWh (NCM chemistry)
- Starting price: 69.800 yuan (8.882 euros)
The National Edition shows us how cheap electric cars can be and seems to be a good alternative to the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV. The name of this edition suggests that it’s only made for the domestic market. Moreover, it’s as unsafe as most regular heavy quadricycles, since it doesn’t even have airbags…
While more expensive, the refreshed edition seems like a proper A-segment electric car that could be exported to Europe, unfortunately it isn’t available with cobalt-free batteries yet.
Anyway, I think that the Changan Benben E-Star refreshed edition looks great, but the Leapmotor T03 offers much better value for money. It has more range (403 km in NEDC) and optional safety features rare in the A-segment, such as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), LKA (Lane Keep Assist) and AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking). Another good alternative is the JAC Sihao E10X.
More info:
https://www.changan.com.cn/car/benben-E-Star/
https://tekdeeps.com/changan-benben-e-star-national-edition-simplified-for-price-drive/
Looks like a good option.
At least it’s much better than the CitroΓ«n AMI that costs 7.000 euros in Europe…
For euro 3.792 / US$ 4.600, this 5 door / 5 seater vehicle with 150 km range seems more affordable and valuable crossover. So we can call this a miniev effect or better LFP effect. I hope this opens up a vast market for many families who have 2 kids who can access the rear seat easily.
This car could compete with miniev and also the lsev built on lead batteries and have <100 km range. Finally the LFP ramp up is helping more of these affordable cars. More automakers should start producing 5 door crossovers like this instead of making smaller 3 door cars.
Even the other edition at euro 5.064 / US$ 6.000 seems to be affordable for its 301 km range. It could compete with many models in that range that costs more than euro 7.000. Are the cost of BEVs declining at a rapid pace like the way the solar panels declined?
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Pretty sure that prices for BEVs will go down fast in the coming months. The technologies to do it already exist. Legacy automakers will ignore this, but startups and Chinese companies won’t let this opportunity get wasted.
CTP (cell-to-pack) battery packs + LFP cathodes + Silicon anodes = ICE age is over
Just like module is skipped with cell-to-pack, will it be possible to skip pack with cell-to-structure where batteries can be embedded to the floor of the car and doors.
At this point, we can ask how much will it cost to make a 5 door 4 seater vehicle with 3 different ranges in WLTP (150 km, 300 km, 450 km) to cater to needs of different customers. If anyone wants a range beyond this, they can either take their 2nd car, rent ice or long range bev, public transport.
I am sure LFP can provide 450 km range since it powers BYD Han for 600 km. For this type of car, the LFP can be used as standard and many automakers can launch many models to cater to the millions of prospective new car owners.
According to Tesla and Volkswagen, for longer range LNMO will be used.
Current LFP definitely can not provide 450 km in such a tiny car.
To summarize (NEDC range)
Wuling MiniEV: $4.200 / 120 km range / 3 door 4 seater
Changan Benben: $4.600 / 150 km range / 5 door 5 seater
Leapmotor T03: $9.300 / 403 km range / 5 door 4 seater
All 3 are affordable models for their range and features. 1 thing that is common between all 3 is the LFP battery.
Sodium Ion battery news
Faradion, the world leader in sodium-ion battery technology, announces a collaboration and licensing deal with AMTE Power – Faradion
NIO’s battery supplier CATL says it will release sodium-ion batteries around July – CnEVPost
140 wh/kg…….only 3.1 volts though
Good for ESS (Energy Storage System).
Here in the Uk we have a lot of wind/tide power……..but no way to store it. This could be a winner. Not sure you could use them for EV, i think the voltage is too low….but i don’t know too much about battery tec.
Voltage isn’t the problem, the low energy density is. Electric vehicles need their batteries as small and light as possible.
Ah, OK so its WH/KG i need to look at?
Sodium ion 140
LFP 200
Lituim ion 300+
?
Yes, Wh/kg and Wh/L is what matters the most for EVs.
LFP is expected to reach 260 Wh/kg next year.
https://pushevs.com/2021/01/10/guoxuan-unveils-a-cobalt-free-lfp-pouch-battery-cell-with-212-wh-kg/
The sodium-ion battery (NIB) looks perfect for stationary energy storage systems. Leaving more lithium available to produce EV batteries.
So long as we can get rid of those bloody turbo diesels!
Yes, we need lot of energy storage especially in Saudi Arabia, Japan to get rid of oil for power generation. Oil is still used to get 4% of global electricity mainly as peaker plants though its going down gradually.