SAIC Motor Corp., China’s biggest carmaker, unveiled its Roewe E1 electric concept car at the Beijing show, which will be in mass production in 2012.
The Roewe E1 electric concept weighs less than 1,040kg and is powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries. The cells give the E1 a range of 84 miles, and drivers will be able to charge 80 percent of its batteries within 30 minutes.
The Roewe E1 has a top speed of 75mph and hits 31mph in less than 5.5sec and 62mph in less than 16sec, according to SAIC.
Despite its small size, the car will be capable of scoring four out of five stars in China’s equivalent of the Euro NCAP crash tests.