The World’s Most Affordable EV, The GWM R1, Debuts In India!

 

• Great Wall Motors has unveiled the R1 at the ongoing Auto Expo 2020.
• It will be offered in the Fashionable and Intelligent variant. 
• Its electric motor produces 47PS/125Nm out of a 33kWh battery pack.
• Priced from Rs 7.13 lakh to 8.27 lakh (subsidized price) in China.

Great Wall Motors (GWM) can definitely claim to have the biggest lineup at Auto Expo 2020. It has showcased over 10 vehicles at the expo including this, the all-electric R1, which is sold in China under the Ora brand. Touted as the cheapest EV in the world, the GWM R1 is a cutesy hatchback with a commendable range and features for what it’s worth. Can we expect a launch in India? We're guessing yes. 

The R1 has a small footprint -- smaller than even a Maruti Suzuki Celerio. A 33kWh battery pack provides juice to the electric motor capable of producing 47PS/125Nm. Pitched entirely as a city dweller, the Ora R1 offers enough performance with a top speed of 100kmph. What’s impressive though are the fast-charging capabilities, enabling it to charge up to 80 per cent in 40 minutes.

The other area where the R1 impresses is with its features. A 9-inch touchscreen with voice commands, two airbags, ABS, reverse parking sensors and camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, and hill start assist are some of the highlights. It also packs connected car features, autonomous emergency braking, and six airbags. 

The GWM R1 will be a great option as a city runabout without affecting the environment and burning a hole in your wallet. Great Wall Motors will kick start its operations in 2021 with the Haval H6. We will have to wait a while until the carmaker establishes itself in India. So expect the R1 to be launched in 2021.