Chery unveils the S18, its first electric car

China's largest independent automaker, Chery, has "unveiled" their first electric car. Called the S18, the small 4 door appears to be the a battery-operated version of the S18/QQ2 first shown to the world at last year's Beijing Auto Show. The in-house design features lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries with enough range to roll up to 150 km (93 miles), while its 336 volt system can allow the 40 kW (53.64 hp) motor to take it up to the dizzying speed of 120 kph (75 mph). Plugged into a 220V outlet, it can charge in 4 to 6 hours or hooked up to a "fast-charger" it can fill to 85 per cent of its capacity in 30 minutes. As to whether it will actually go into production, Chery hasn't yet said but it wouldn't surprise us. BYD, its well known competitor, will begin selling its all-electric E6 later this year.

[Source: Reuters / Chery via Green Car Congress]