If your key words while researching an electric car to buy are “cheap” and “agile”, we might have found the perfect vehicle for you, the new Kandi K27. Kandi is a Chinese company on the rise that has the ambitious plan to have over 5 million EVs on the road in the next few years. Just a couple of years ago, it was granted the permission to start to sell its models in the U.S market.
The K27 is currently the cheapest electric car that you can find on the market outside China at only $12,499 (£9,500) after federal tax credit, although there are cheaper EVs available only in China, such as the Ora R1.
The strategy of the company is very clear right away as this car is meant to be the perfect urban vehicle. It is equipped with only a 17.69 kWh battery pack, which limits the range to an optimistic 100 miles. The top speed is only 63 mph, but this is enough for city life.
Obviously, if you are creating a product that can thrive in a metropolis the dimensions of the car must be contained and as a result the K27 is only 136.22in long and 57.87in wide, which means that it is about the same size as a Smart EQ forfour or a Renault Twingo.
The Kandi is not just a sweet deal for the price but also for the warranty, which offers 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, and a great 8 years or 62,000 miles for the battery pack.
Of course, for that price the interior of the car is pretty spartan, but it is equipped with a 9in touchscreen display and Bluetooth for hands free devices.
The K27 is meant to represent a new era for electric vehicles according to Johnny Tai, CEO of Kandi America: “Kandi’s mission is to make electric cars accessible to all. With these first two models, we are starting an Auto EVolution that will enable anyone, regardless of their financial status, to afford a reliable, high-tech EV,” he said.
For now, the K27 is not yet available for purchase as it will be officially presented on August 18 at a virtual event where pre-sales will start.
Currently the Chinese EV market has the largest share in the world and we are not surprised to start seeing the first models coming to other countries. It is very clear that these companies are arriving at full force to dominate other markets. It will be interesting to see what European and American automakers will do to rival them.