Cheap mini-EVs sparkle in China's smaller, poorer cities
Business
China is the world's largest market for electric vehicles (EVs)
Liuzhou (China) (AFP) – Tiny electric cars weave through traffic in southern China, their cheap and cheerful designs bringing a touch of colour to the EV revolution in the country's overlooked cities.
China is the world's largest market for electric vehicles (EVs), with premium models by Tesla and homegrown giant BYD a common sight in the nation's affluent megacities.
But in a growing number of less-developed areas, the face of greener transport is the Wuling Hongguang Mini -- a dinky two-door runaround that sells for a fraction of the price.
China's most popular EV to date, it has sold more than 1.2 million units, often to consumers with lower incomes in provincial cities and smaller towns.
"This car is small and convenient, easy to park and charge, and it's cheap -- that's why I chose it," a driver surnamed Cao told AFP as she loaded shopping bags into her vehicle in Liuzhou, in the southern Guangxi region.
