Zhong Tai, the new Chinese electric SUV, will bring "peace and safety for the people"
The Times Online learned all of this when it was the first Western publication to take the Zhong Tai out for a test drive. The style is dated, they said, but found the test car (equipped with an extra battery) provided good punch off the line - until warning alarms went off and the car needed to be restarted. If the charge indicator in the dashboard was accurate, the Times figures that the 250-mile range number "is not unfeasible," as long as you're cruising through the city. Of course, the company admits that an average speed of just 60 mph drops the range to ~170 miles.
For all of New Power's big promises, let's not forget that the Zhong Tai's other EV incarnation. The SUV is actually a Zotye 2008 (pictured). The Zotye was itself based on the Daihatsu Terios and was to be sold at the Spark EV. That never happened. Thanks to Fredrik S. for the tip!
[Source: Times Online via All Cars Electric, Register Hardware]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 2:15PM (6/08/2009)
This is a rolling box just good for neiborood crusing at low speed as soon as you drive on highway, you're out of the normal operation and in danger to get struck anytime.
One thing that they will never admit is that they cannot monitor the state of charge of the battery so you'll possibly never get able to drive far away, LOL. Do like chris m told you, go slow and move near where you work as a slave and don't enjoy motoring.
This is a car to control The zombies that don't know that energy is ullimited and free.
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Chris M 7:57PM (6/08/2009)
Gorr, don't go putting words in my mouth, I never said any such thing. I never said that anyone had to be limited to a slow and limited "punishment box" neighborhood EV, nor have I insisted that anyone had to move. To be sure, driving slow and having short commutes is more energy efficient, but if you have a reason to drive fast on a long commute, then do so - just don't squawk about your gas bills.
To those who can afford a Tesla Roadster, buy one and let it rip! That EV was made for speed!
Gorr, it IS possible to determine the "state of charge" of a battery, millions of cars rely on that fact to maintain the proper charge in their starter battery, and all the hybrids on the road also can determine the state of charge of their NiMH battery to operate correctly for years. Just because you don't know how to do it doesn't mean it can't be done.
kert 3:28PM (6/08/2009)
French, do it, better.
http://bluecar.fr/
Pininfarina design, lithium batteries. 250km range. What else do you need ?
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Carlos 4:20PM (6/08/2009)
A real car not a prototype and a real price, not a dream, it´s all what we want.
Jon 7:00PM (6/08/2009)
250 km is 155 miles, nearly 100 miles less than the Zhong Tai claims to be able to do.
Bill 8:01AM (6/09/2009)
The Nissan EV, with the same weight battery, only claims 100 miles range.
Given the vehicle's low cost, no way do I believe 250 miles - they must be draining the battery dry to get anywhere near that range (not good for battery life with any battery chemistry)
Or they might be cheating - notice the manufacturer installed an extra battery in the trunk for purposes of review, though the hasty install was so poorly done it shocked the reviewer!
There are all sorts of grandiose claims as to very low cost or very high range with Chinese battery companies.
Wait until someone buys a retail model (not given a tweaked model for review) and independently reviews those claims.
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