ORA R1- Why It Can Be The 'Maruti Alto' for Electric Cars in India

Great Wall Motors is all set to debut in India with a set of SUVs and an electric hatchback. The carmaker showcased its India-bound lineup at the 2020 Auto Expo. The manufacturer would soon be starting the production of its vehicles in India as it is locking the deal for Chevrolet’s Talegaon based facility. While it is evident that the carmaker would encash big opportunity by selling SUVs in India, Haval would also target the entry-level EV buyers with the ORA R1. The highly affordable electric hatchback is likely to follow the footstep of the Maruti Alto to the success route. ORA R1 is the world’s cheapest electric car and that could be a big selling point in our country.

ORA is an EV only subsidiary of the Haval brand. It made its debut in the Chinese market with the R1. However, the brand also sells iQ5 electric SUV in China. Talking of the ORA R1’s specs, it sources power from a 33kWh battery pack that juice ups the 35 kW motor, which whips out 47 Hp and 125 Nm. This setup delivers a combined range of 351 kilometres. The ORA R1 boasts of a top speed of 102 kmph and takes 17 seconds to reach the 100 kmph mark from a standstill. The ORA R1 is a compact car with a length of 3,495 mm, a width of 1,660 mm, and a height of 1,560 mm.

ORA R1 is currently the cheapest EV on sale in the world.

The R1 retails for 79,800 Yuan in China, equivalent to Rs. 8.50 lakhs in India. It is indeed a big figure to pay for such a small hatchback. However, when the ORA R1 will come to India, it will be stripped down to offer basic necessary features. Also, it will invite zero per cent road tax and subsidy from the government. Therefore, the overall price of the car could come down to somewhere between Rs. 5.50 lakh to Rs. 6.50 lakh, which is not exorbitant for an EV with a combined range of more than 300 kilometres on one single charge. We think, in the fossil fuel-powered era, the range and affordability were the USP of Alto, which is nicely inherited by the ORA R1 in the electrified world.