SAIC-GM Boosts Electric Range Of Baojun E100

The tiny Baojun E100 gets of a range boost of nearly 30%. The tiny 2 seat electric vehicle measures at only 2488mm (8.16 feet) long. So far it has been a huge hit despite limited availability.

By: Wade Malone

Jun 19, 2018 at 7:40am ET

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The tiny Baojun E100 gets of a range boost of nearly 30%.

The E100 is built by Baojun, an automaker jointly owned by General Motors (GM) and SAIC Motor. The tiny 2 seat electric vehicle measures at only 2488mm (8.16 feet) long. So far it has been a huge hit despite limited availability. In less than year, Baojun has moved 21,000 units. The car was initially launched only to select cities in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Earlier this year Baojun announced that availability would be expanding, and the car now available in Qingdao, Shandong as well.

Range has now been boosted from 155 km (96 miles) to 200 km (124 miles). However, these ranges are likely unrealistic best case scenarios. With the new battery, drivers can most likely expect 90 - 100 miles of range. Performance is nothing to write home about with 38 hp, 81 lb-ft torque and a max speed of 100 km (62 miles) per hour. But for the car's intended purpose as a commuter or second vehicle, this is more than adequate.

Availability and range aren't the only things that have grown: so have prices. The car comes in 2 variants: Zhixing and the higher trim Zhixiang. The lower end vehicle will get minor interior upgrades. The higher end version will now be equipped with automatic folding mirrors and a parking camera. With the tech and range updates, E100 prices are up slightly to RMB 46,800 ($7,257) and RMB 59,800($9,275) after subsidies.

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The increase in range means buyers can take advantage of the newly increased subsidies in China. By having a range of at least 200 km, the vehicle will earn an additional RMB 9000 ($1500) in subsidies. General Motors has big plans for it's future EV program in China. The lineup will begin to expand from the currently available Buick Velite 5 and Cadillac CT6 Plug-in later this year with the launch of the Velite 6. But for now, the E100 will remain their highest volume electric car and is potentially on it's way to being the best selling EV for GM in 2018.