Hongqi has delivered the first 100 units of its E-QM5 model, and by the end of November, 2,000 units will be in operation.
(Image credit: FAW Hongqi)
China sees another battery swap-enabled model, but still for the cab market.
China FAW’s Hongqi brand today delivered 100 units of its E-QM5 model, its first battery swap-enabled model, to cab industry partners in Changchun, Jilin, where the automaker is headquartered.
By the end of November, 2,000 of the vehicles will be in operation in Changchun, Hongqi said.
It is worth noting that the Hongqi E-QM5 is available in both battery swap-enabled and non-battery swap-enabled versions, with the former only for the cab market.
The battery swap version uses a ternary lithium battery and is offered by Aulton, which claims to be able to replace the battery in 20 seconds.
Aulton said earlier this month that it has built more than 500 battery swap stations in China and has worked with 14 mainstream car companies, including FAW, SAIC and GAC, to develop more than 24 battery swap-enabled models.
The Hongqi E-QM5, which does not support battery swap, is available with both lithium iron phosphate and lithium ternary batteries with a capacity of 55 kWh.
The Hongqi E-QM5 has a single-motor front-drive layout with a 136 hp electric motor and an NEDC range of 431 km.
