Xpeng G3 on tour in Sweden. Here at ABB's charging solution.
The infrastructure for electric car users is not as well developed in Sweden. If you are going to drive an electric car into Sweden, you should read this post written by Jonny Bunæs.
Jonny Bunæs is a businessman with many projects at home and abroad. One of the previous projects has been to develop infrastructure for electric car users and charging networks. He was one of the pioneers in using electric cars. Together with painter Ingar Aasen (map reader) he drove a Think from San Diego to Salt Lake.
Xpeng was good to drive, but we got to experience how catastrophically poorly developed the charging network is in Sweden. It reminded me of what it was like back home when I drove my electric car about 20 years ago – with registration number EL10052 . We had come close to Gothenburg when we almost ran out of power!
Where should we charge?
We only had power left for a few kilometers! After an hour of trying to download apps, bad information and problems with getting an approved bank card and mobile phone from Norway, we were told that the charging station we were standing at was out of order. By then we had been at it for approximately 1 hour. Doesn't the electricity supplier know the state of their chargers so that we could be notified on the app right away? The telephone number that we could call was staffed until 17.00pm. It didn't help us much as it was 23.30pm!
We searched for other charging stations nearby and thought we had found one. The map gave poor options for detailed searches, and after searching the area for a long time, we found the charging station hidden behind a container! We charged up for an hour - enough to reach our destination, Värnamo in Jönköping. The trip further went well, except that we had to wait for more than 30 minutes, due to paving.
We arrived at our booked Airbnb apartment several hours late. It was around 5 in the morning when we woke up the host who could lock us in. It was not a particularly expensive room. But it was an expensive hourly rate since we only got to sleep there for two hours before we had to go to the agreed meeting.
Tenacious attempts to find a charging station that works. Here at Vattenfall's charging solution.
Chargers that don't work
Aware of the damage, we wanted to fully charge before heading home. We found two charging points close to where we had lunch. One had one fast charger and one normal. When we got there to pick up the car to go to the next meeting, there was another electric car owner who wanted our charger. We had charged up to 50% and had to find a new station after the meeting to get as far as possible towards Oslo.
We then tested the second charging station which was a short distance away. Here we had to try three chargers before we found one that worked. It was strange that only one of three chargers worked. Lucky that there weren't more people who wanted to charge at the same time!
The price to charge here was over double what we paid at the previous station.
Sweden is several years behind Norway
In Sweden, the financial advantage of buying an electric car is not as great as in Norway. With such poor charging systems as we experienced, it may take many years before Sweden achieves an equally high percentage. As long as the Swedes do not take electric car users seriously, the country is not particularly suitable for electric cars. It can take 10-20 years to build up a similar charging network as here in the country.
Norwegians should be warned about how wretched the charging options are in Sweden and perhaps be happy that the border remains closed for a while! - Jonny Bunæs.
Facts
Total car sales of passenger cars for July 2021
Sweden: 16
Norway: 10
Number of electric cars sold in July 2021
Sweden: 2
Norway: 6 (731 including parallel imports of new/used electric cars)
Percentage of electric cars sold in July 2021
Sweden: 15,1%
Norway: 64,1% (73,5% incl. parallel imports)
Best-selling car brands in July 2021
Sweden: Volvo S60/V60, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC40
Norway: Tesla 3, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen ID.4
See
Not many people have driven over the speed limit with Think on an American highway. Jonny Bunæs is here stopped by the police for exactly that...
The DFSK SERES SF5 is a crossover with a powerful battery pack and high performance that will arrive in Norway in 2021 (source: dfsk.com)
China's "New Energy" is forcing Chinese car manufacturers to switch to rechargeable cars. The transformation of the vehicle fleet in Norway means that new Chinese electric cars find their way here before other western countries.
Made in China
It is not certain that the dealers state that the new BMW iX3 is produced by Brilliance in Shenyang or that the Volvo XC60 is now produced in Chengdu together with Polestar. Other European car models are also fully produced in China, such as the Mercedes EQC, Volkswagen ID.4, Audi e-tron, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Tesla Model 3 – to stick to electric cars. These models are produced in China only to meet demand in the Chinese domestic market.
Chinese class trip
It is no secret that China has enjoyed formidable economic growth since the turn of the century. In 2019, 21 million cars were produced, of which only 3% went for export. The internal car market in China is unbelievably large, and Chinese people with strong purchasing power will not settle for anything. In addition, the Chinese authorities have introduced regulations with regard to "Corporate average fuel consumption and new energy". It is a program that will gradually switch domestic car production to "New Energy". The goal for 2020 is for 12% of all vehicles produced to be powered by electricity or hydrogen. Today, China is one of the fastest growing markets for rechargeable cars.
Much in common with Norway
It is the demand for electric cars that makes Chinese cars interesting in Norway. Today, Chinese car models are sent to Norway as the first western exporting country. Several completely new models are already in the focus of Norwegian players and may appear on Norwegian roads during 2021.
BYD Han – battery pack of 76,9 Kwh. Supplied with either front-wheel drive or dual motor four-wheel drive (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
BYD
BYD (Build Your Dreams) has already gained a foothold in Norway, primarily through the new electric articulated buses that run in Oslo. BYD's vans and passenger cars are distributed in Norway via RSA Bil . The model program currently consists of a van and an SUV – BYD T3 and BYD Tang . Norway is the first Western export country for these models. BYD Tang is a full-size electric SUV with a large battery, long range and Tesla performance. The red sedan in the picture is a Tesla S "look-a-like" that is not imported to Norway – for now. BYD Han ended up in 4th place among electric cars sold in China in October. This is one of several Chinese models that can give Tesla competition in Norway, provided the price is "right".
BYD Inn
Available as Luxury (FWD), Premium (FWD) and AWD
Battery capacity: 76,9 Kwh
Range:
– FWD: 605 km NEDC
– AWD: 550 km NEDC
Engine:
– FWD – Front: 218 HP, 330 Nm
– AWD – Front: 218 HP, 330 Nm – Rear: 268 HP, 350 Nm
0-100: 7,9s (FWD), 3,9s (AWD)
Length, width, height in cm: 498 x 191 x 150
Wheelbase: 292 cm
Not taken into Norway - but BYD has a Norwegian representative
Atmospheric interior in BYD Han – one of several Chinese Tesla challengersBYD Tang – new electric SUV with large battery and high performance (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
THE WORLD OF Tang
Length, width, height in cm: 487 x 195 x 172
Wheelbase: 282 cm
Battery capacity: 86,4 kWh
Range NEDC: 505 km
Engine: 509 HP, 610 Nm, 4WD
0-100: 4,6 seconds,
Top speed: 180 km/h
Own weight: 2295 kg
Max trailer weight: 1410 kg
Price in Norway: 599
SAIC Maxus
Maxus is represented in Norway through RSA Bil . The vans e-Deliver 3 and EV80 have had the greatest success. Among others, Posten and Bring have purchased several cars. The Maxus Euniq 5 is a 7-seater passenger car for 400,000 that also comes on green plates. It is undoubtedly a lot of car for the money.
The Maxus Euniq 5 is sold as a 7-seater or on green labels (source: www.maxus.com)
Maxus Euniq 5
Length, width, height in cm: 482 x 182 x 179
Wheelbase: 280 cm
Battery capacity: 52,5 kWh
Range according to the factory: 260 km WLTP (combined) and 356 km (urban).
Engine: 177 HP, 310 Nm, front wheel drive
Top speed: 160km/h
Own weight: 1810 kg
Number of seats: 7
Max trailer weight: 400 kg
Price in Norway: 399
The MG ZS EV was the best-selling Chinese electric car model in Norway in 2020. Sold through Norwegian dealers.
MG ZS
Length, width, height in cm: 431 x 181 x 164
Wheelbase: 259 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 141 HP, 353 Nm, FWD
Top speed: 140 km/h
0-100: 8,2 seconds
Battery capacity: 44,5 Kwh
Range: 263 km WLTP
Trailer not possible
Price in Norway (Comfort): 239
– (Luxury): 259
Xpeng is considered China's 10th largest electric car manufacturer. This summer, the Norwegian importer ordered 100 cars of the G3 model. Norway is the car brand's first export country and opening to the European market - something that was highlighted in the Chinese press. Xpeng is being brought to Norway by Zero Emission Mobility . The company was founded by the people behind Norske Bunader , who have made success by sewing Norwegian national costumes in China. Today, cars and national costumes are imported from the same premises.
Xpeng G3 (source:xiapeng.com)
XPeng G3
Length, width, height in cm: 445 x 182 x 161
Wheelbase: 263 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 194 HP, 300 Nm, FWD
Battery capacity: 66,5 Kwh
Range: 451 km WLTP
Trailer not possible
Price in Norway (G3 Smart): 358
– (G3 Premium): 379
New production facility
The XPeng G3 was put into production in 2018 at Haima (Hainan and Mazda) as part of the state-owned car group FAW Group. This summer, Xpeng opened its own production facility in Zhaoqing. The all-new model P7 is now produced at this facility. The P7 has performance and range completely on par with the Tesla Model 3. It also looks very good. In recent months, the new model has outsold the G3 in China.
Xpeng P7 – The Tesla challenger
Currently only sold in China, but since Xpeng has a Norwegian distributor, it is not inconceivable that it will appear here at home. The P7 can be delivered in four versions – two with rear-wheel drive and two with four-wheel drive. The two with rear-wheel drive have a range of 586 km and 706 km (!). The versions with four-wheel drive and dual motor have a range of 562 km. The top model "Peng Wing" has doors that tilt upwards like on a Lamborghini. An obvious courtship to Tesla customers. The P7 also offers self-driving technology. According to rumours, a former employee of Tesla should have uploaded software for Tesla's autopilot solution to the cloud and taken it over to Xpeng.
The Xpeng P7 is a very beautiful car which, on paper, can challenge the Tesla Model 3. It will probably come to Norway and be sold through the Xpeng dealers (source: www.xiaopeng.com)
DFSK – Dongfeng SOKON
DFSK has factories in China, Indonesia and the USA (MIshawaka, Indiana). The Norwegian importer of Subaru, Gill Gruppen, has set its sights on DFSK's electric cars. They will continue to import new Subaru models, but not 2021 models. The DFSK models that are interesting for Norway are two high-built crossover models – DFSK E3 and DFSK SERES SF5 . The car brand is DFSK, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Group. In Norway, the cars will probably be marketed under the model name Seres.
DFSK SERES 3 will probably arrive in Norway shortly and will replace Subaru at dealers (source: dfsk.com)
DFSK E3
Model name in China: DFSK SERES 3
Length, width, height in cm: 439 x 185 x 165
Wheelbase: 266 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 160 HP, 300 Nm
Battery capacity: 52,56 Kwh
Range: 405 km
The brand has a Norwegian representative
DFSK SERES SF5
Brand new model (DFSK SERES 5)
Battery capacity: 90 kWh
Engine: 684 HP, 1039 Nm
0-100: 3,5 seconds
The brand has a Norwegian representative
Can also be supplied with a range extender
See picture at the top of the post!
Chery
Like several other Chinese manufacturers, Chery is a fairly young company. The car press pounced on the brand when they started exporting cars to Western countries 20 years ago. Chery seriously failed crash tests. Moreover, several models were alleged to be copies of Western models. Chery never had any success in Europe, but that may change now. The model Chery eQ5 (referred to as Ant in China) is a modern crossover that I'm pretty sure can be imported to Norway.
Chery eQ5 – medium-sized crossover with 70,1 Kwh battery pack.
chery eQ5
Length, width, height in cm: 463 x 191 x 165
Wheelbase: 283 cm
Net weight 1760 kg
Motorization (minimum): 160 HP, 250 Nm
Motorization (largest): 174 HP, 280 Nm
Battery capacity 70,1 Kwh
Range: 510 km NEDC
Top speed: 170 km/h
NIO
NIO was founded in 2014 to produce electric cars. In the myriad of different models, NIO stands out with its modern and Western design and technology. The NIO ES6 is a car that should attract interest from Norwegian customers. It is a challenger to the Audi e-tron. It was the 10th best-selling electric car in China for October. The same model is also available as a coupe variant under the name EC6. NIO has no Norwegian representative.
The NIO ES6 is an Audi e-tron challenger that is not currently represented in Norway (source: nio.com)
NIO ES6 - Default
Battery capacity: 70 Kwh
Range: 420 km (combined), 490 km (urban)
Motorization: 430 HP (215 front and 215 rear).
0-100: 5,6 seconds –Performance
Battery capacity: 84 Kwh
Range: 430 km (combined), 510 km (urban)
Motorization: 536 HP (215 front and 321 rear).
0-100: 4,7 seconds
Active air suspension, 4WD
Dongfeng - one of China's largest manufacturers has established a new electric car brand Voyah. The prototype looks like a cross between a Fisker Karma and a Tesla Model S (source: www.dfmc.com.cn)
In the throat of Tesla
The Tesla Model 3 has been a huge hit in China. Several car manufacturers are now launching “Tesla killers” – models that are designed to steal customers away from Tesla. Just look at the BYD Han and Xpeng P7, – or the Dongfeng Voyah – a prototype that shows what one of China’s largest car manufacturers can create. Hengchi is a brand new car brand, formed by Chinese big money from the construction company China Evergrande Group. They came out last year and said they would become China’s largest electric car manufacturer in 5 years. There is little doubt that Tesla is on the target.
If someone were to succeed in surpassing Tesla in China, it is not impossible that they could succeed in Tesla's country of Norway as well.
Henqchi was established last year and has big plans backed by Chinese capital. Henqchi 1 fits into the Tesla Model S.
If you are wondering if your car is manufactured in China, you can check if the car's VIN number starts with "L". Car manufacturers do not always choose to state the correct country in the VIN number, but Chinese law requires that all goods exported must be clearly marked where they come from. Therefore, you can trust that cars manufactured in China always show "L" as the first character in the VIN number.
If you are wondering if your car is manufactured in China, you can check if the car's VIN number starts with "L". Car manufacturers do not always choose to state the correct country in the VIN number, but Chinese law requires that all goods exported must be clearly marked where they come from. Therefore, you can trust that cars manufactured in China always show "L" as the first character in the VIN number. 
