Look out for the NETA V
Last month the new NETA (Nezha) V jumped to the top 10 of best-selling electric cars in China. This isn’t exactly a surprise, since this electric car offers great value for money as we’ll see ahead.
The NETA V is just a bit smaller than the popular Renault ZOE we all know in Europe, but its price is truly remarkable. As for the design, it reminds me a bit the facelifted Hyundai Kona Electric.
This electric car is available in many trim levels, some with 4 seats, others with 5 seats, some with 301 km of NEDC range and a 40 kW motor, others with a NEDC range of 401 km and a 55 kW motor.
I think that the versions with 5 seats, a NEDC range of 401 km and a 55 kW motor offer the best value for money, so let’s focus on those.
Long range entertainment version (best value for money version)
- Length: 4.070 mm
- Wheelbase: 2.420 mm
- Width: 1.690 mm
- Height: 1.540 mm
- Tire specifications: 185/65 R15
- Wheels: aluminium
- Number of seats: 5
- Motor: 55 kW and 175 N.m of torque
- Maximum speed: 100 km/h (firmware limited)
- DC fast charging: 30 minutes (30-80 %)
- On-board charging: 6-8 h (6,6 kW)
- Range: 401 km (NEDC) and around 300 km in WLTP
- Battery capacity: 38,54 kWh (LFP battery cells by CATL)
- Starting price (before subsidies): 80.900 yuan (10.426 euros)
- Starting price (after subsidies): 70.900 yuan (9.137 euros)
NETA V interior
This extremely efficient electric car is eligible for a government subsidy of 10.000 yuan (1.289 euros). Therefore, even buyers that choose the top-spec version full with modern safety features only pay 76.900 yuan (9.910 euros) after subsidies applied.
At least on paper, this Chinese electric car seems to offer the best value for money right now. On the official website, the carmaker brags about how efficient it is and I can understand why.
It’s a proper efficient electric hatchback that looks nice and has decent range. Nonetheless, a global version to sell worldwide, would benefit from a more powerful motor and more range. Even if it arrived in Europe for 18.000 euros it would still make the Dacia Spring – also made in China – look extremely overpriced…
Anyway, I think that the NETA V has the potential required to reach the top 5 of best-selling electric in China very soon.
What do you think? How does it compare to the Dacia Spring?
More info:
Needs a bigger top speed
Indeed.
In China most affordable electric cars are capped to 100 km/h via firmware. Even with a 55 kW motor this electric car should be able to reach 130 km/h without problems.
Nonetheless, a more powerful motor could help to deliver a more efficient regenerative braking.
Yes and no.
These 10K€ cars are perfect as second car, the ICE can do the job for long distance/holydays
I expect these ICE car to be cheap, as “soon” there will be millions on second hand market (so many city ban coming).
Better have 10K€ EV + 5K€ for a good ICE than 20K€ ZOE (or whatever) able to speed on highway, but I guess some can’t have this choice
4m long, 400km NDEC,100kph, 10.000€ ; these are great numbers,
Why European (worst, American) need to purpose 2.500kg 50.000€ cars?
At least they should purpose both, or the vacuum will definitely profit to Chinese!
I think that carmakers are keeping electric cars expensive on purpose so their gas cars can sell for a bit longer. They have to milk the old technology for as long as they can.
Great news.
For those who keep saying that BEVs are coal powered, here is the answer from USA.
Coal is wiped out while natgas is facing strong pressure from renewable as peaker plants are working at lesser capacity.
https://cleantechnica.com/2021/06/14/solar-wind-power-99-7-of-new-us-electricity-capacity-in-1st-quarter-of-2021/
I like that dashboard, it almost seems a head-up display.
We are starting to see a good number of good small EVs in the price range that can really make a huge difference. This Nezha V, the Leap Motor, Benben E Star etc. If only these vehicles can start to be exported to South America, Africa, and other markets.
I really hope such car can be available in EU soon, with max speed of 130km, hopefully a 11kW on board charger and 5 stars for safety with a similar price of Dacia Spring… I am asking too much?
When you have a 40kWh battery then 7kW single phase charging is quite acceptable.
Great value! With LFP, this vehicle can potentially scale without much production limit. For broader international appeal I’d like to see a version with 120 or 130 km/h top speed, which – as Pedro says – may simply need a software change.
Just goes to show that BEVs already have the potential to undercut ICE on pricing, even at the low end of the price segments.
Thanks Pedro!
Why are you calling it “Nezha”?
I think you can call it either Nezha or Neta.
http://autonews.gasgoo.com/new_energy/70017700.html
But probably Neta makes more sense now, what do you think?
In the official website, the Chinese version calls it Nezha V:
https://www.hozonauto.com/v.html
The English version calls it NETA V:
https://www.hozonauto.com/en/en-v.html
I’ll go with NETA from now on, since it’s what was adopted in English. Thanks for the heads up.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://accounts.binance.com/pl/register-person?ref=DB40ITMB