China’s Chery to release its first EV into Australia market mid year

Chinese car manufacturer Chery has confirmed it will launch the electric version of the Omoda 5 in Australia by mid-2024. This is the first EV Chery will release in Australia, after launching a number of ICE vehicles into the local market last year.

“The arrival of the Omoda E5 later this year is the next step in our local expansion strategy and underscores Chery’s commitment to providing Australian drivers with access to advanced electric vehicle technology without compromising on performance or style,”

Although information about the specifications, or the price, of the Australian version is thin on the ground, we do know that the electric compact SUV will have a single motor, producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque. The acceleration from 0-100 km is 7.6 seconds.

The battery pack is 61kWh, while the range of the car is 430 km (WLTP) and has a consumption of 15.5kWh/100km.

Although the charge rate was not provided, a prototype recently unveiled in New Zealand has a maximum charge rate of 80kW for DC up to 9.9kW AC.

The Australian version will be available in both a Standard and Premium model, although no details about prices or what that entails are yet available.

“With its combination of unique design, impressive range and advanced features, we are confident the Omoda E5 will be a popular choice for Australian consumers who are increasingly seeking sustainable vehicle options,” Harris said in a statement.

Chinese owned electric car brands like BYD and MG have been incredibly successful in the Australian market, and Chery could be poised to join them.

The BYD Atto 3 for example, is the third best selling EV in Australia, and the company has plans to become one of the top 5 car brands in the country. Last month, BYD even outsold Tesla’s due to Tesla delivery delays. 

But Chery has wider ambitions. Last year they announced a partnership with Chinese battery giant CATL to experiment with putting sodium ion batteries in electric cars.