SAIC Motor’s Roewe E RX5 electric SUV spied in India for the first time

The Roewe E RX5 electric SUV was spied for the first time in India recently, courtesy Mint. SAIC Motor’s MG brand is testing its sister brand Roewe’s EV in the country.

A source has told the business publication that MG is testing the Roewe E RX5 to determine its range in Indian climatic and road conditions. The test mule is a left-hand drive vehicle imported from China, Roewe’s home market.

Rajeev Chaba, President & MD, MG (India), has confirmed the development, saying that the company is testing the EV in western India to gauge its range and suitability in different driving and climatic conditions. The testing may take place in other parts of the country as well, and that would depend on the immediate outcome of the trials.

The Roewe E RX5 is powered by an electric motor that generates 85 kW and 255 Nm of torque. It has a 48.3 kWh battery that provides a range (NEDC) of 320 km. Driving constantly at 60 km/h, though, a range of 425 km is achievable. Fully charging the battery takes 7 hours using a standard charger. Charging the battery to 80% level using a fast charger takes only 40 minutes. The electric SUV’s top speed is 135 km/h.

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MG’s roadmap for India includes EVs. A possibility is that a rebadged Roewe E RX5 is under consideration. However, no EV is expected from the Chinese automaker before the next decade.

[Source: Mint]