Besides, there is no damage to batteries and interiors as well. With high scores, S18 proved to customers the reliable safety performance of new-energy vehicles. As a matter of fact, except for the advantage of safety, the more profound meaning for launch of S18 is that, Chery has gained sustainable advantage in the three core technologies of electric vehicles, including battery, electrical control system and power management, all of which indicates that Chery is at the same level with world renowned auto companies in the field of new-energy cars.
Going off-line in February this year in Wuhu, China, this model of S18 is a high-speed EBV developed based on S platform of Chery. Chery S18, with a 336V, 40kw electric driving system and 40Ah lithium iron phosphate battery, achieves zero emission and zero pollution. It only takes four to six hours to charge the battery completely by a 220V civil power supply or thirty minutes to charge 80% of the battery under a quick charging mode.
Top speed set at 120 Km/h, S18 travels as far as 120 Km-150 Km once fully charged. S18 is expected to be put into mass production next year, followed by Tiggo3 EV, M1-EV; hybrid Chery A5 BSG, A3-ISG; and Fengyun2 BSG. Different from the previous new-energy cars which are considered to be concept, Chery intends to make all these new-energy models into mass production as soon as possible, so as to realize the goal of environmental protection, safety, and practicality of new-energy cars.
As early as the company was established, Chery has long stuck to the principle of “Safety, Energy Saving, Environment Friendliness” and devoted itself to the research and development of environment-friendly products. Since 2001, based in Wuhu, China, Chery started its research and development work worldwidely in the field of new energy. In 2009, the first hybrid A5 BSG was launched in Wuhu, which makes a start for civil use of new-energy technology in China.
After that, Chery’s first independently developed BEV S18 ran offline in February. In April, another four models of new-energy vehicles, including Tiggo3 EV, M1 EV, A3 ISG, and Fengyun2 BSG, were debuted at 2009 Shanghai Auto Show. A series of new models brought forth by Chery indicates its bright future in the field of new energy.
Presently, Chery possesses the largest and most advanced research and development capability in the filed of new energy in China and it carries 17 scientific research projects, among which 15 are national projects.
Within 2-3 years, the current R&D center for research and development of new-energy vehicles will turn into a department, which is forecasted to form an independent sales company of its own within 5 years to exploit new distribution channels and establish new distribution network for new-energy vehicles. Meanwhile, Chinese government offers subsidy to promote application of new energy technologies and encourage Chinese independent car makers, represented by Chery, to increase their efforts in research and development of new energy.
Since 2006, Chery has achieved more than 30 technology breakthroughs in the field of hybrid, fuel cell, flex fuel, and energy-saving and environment-friendly technologies for traditional gasoline engines, forming a full technology research and development system of new energy. Currently Chery has been awarded more than one hundred intellectual property rights and 1600 authorized patents, making it the auto company with the most patents in China and the only one who has got the first prize of National Advancement of Science and Technology, the most authoritative prize in the field of advancement of science and technology.
As we all see, Chinese independent auto makers, represented by Chery, have explored sufficient experiences and gained successful outcomes along the way of industrialization of fundamental research, technology breakthrough, technology development and advanced achievements. All the original car makers are transforming into manufacturers of auto products and auto technologies.
The company expects to sell about 30,000 S18 electric cars within three or four years, Fang Yunzhou, vice president of Chery’s new energy vehicle operations, said in an interview in Shanghai today. The car will cost as much as 130,000 yuan ($19,000). Chery unveiled the S18 model in February.
China has been supporting its automakers’ investments in new-energy vehicles to curb oil imports, reduce pollution and to help the local industry challenge global automakers’ products, such as the [GM] Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius in the PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) market.
BYD, the leading Chinese maker of electric cars, started selling the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid F3DM in December 2008 to government and corporate buyers and will sell it to individual customers from this month. Its e6 electric car will be sold in the U.S. next year.
The Chery S18 can travel as far as 150 km (93 miles) using just its batteries. Plug-in cars can be recharged from standard household powerpoints. The S18 can be fully charged in as little as four hours.
Chery’s first electric car, the S18 electric vehicle, rolled out production line. It is capable of traveling as many as 93 miles on each charge and the maximum speed reaches 75 mph.
"Most advanced technology being adopted, Chery’s electric vehicle has the merits of high efficiency, energy saving, easy operation, continuously variable transmission and quietness. Furthermore, the price will be very suitable for families," said Mr. Yuan Tao, Vice President of Chery in the S18 off-line ceremony.
Chery S18, with a 336V, 40kw electric driving system and 40Ah lithium iron phosphate battery, achieves zero emission and zero pollution. It only takes four to six hours to charge the battery completely by a 220V civil power supply or thirty minutes to charge 80% of the battery under a quick charging mode.
As a leader of Chinese indigenous automakers, Chery set about researching electric vehicles from 2001. So far, it has had the capability of developing and researching electric car’s key spare parts and has the capability of mass production of electric motor, electric motor driving system, DC/DC, advanced battery, battery management system and vehicle controller. Chery has mastered the core technology, calibration technology and test verification technology.
Mr. Jin Yibo, official spokesman of Chery, said that Chery’s responsibility is to design and manufacture safer, saver and greener models. The new technology will contribute to achieving Chery’s goal.
