An electric SUV encouraging you to get off the asphalt: how do manufacturers put this solitaire? – AINA

There are already quite a few compact SUVs on the electric car market, but some models stand out from the rest in this category. These are cars with features adapted to the off-road for enthusiasts. However, for now, drivers who like to spend time in nature or feel a constant need for more mileage have only a limited choice of electric vehicles – suitable models can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Why is this and what alternatives do manufacturers offer?

It gets harder and more expensive

There are not many cars with all-wheel drive systems, and even fewer electric cars. And although the design of the electric drive makes it technically easier to turn both axles, as a separate electric motor can be installed on each of them, a rare manufacturer strives to provide such opportunities. First of all, this affects the price of electric vehicles, which is already higher than conventional cars. The second reason is the growing weight of electric cars.

“While fans of off-road vehicles choose their cars conservatively, those who want to make friends with the latest technology simply have little choice. There are not particularly many buyers in this segment, but they choose in their own way,” says car reviewer Egidijus Babelis.

However, the higher mileage of the car is not limited only to four-wheel drive, so electric car manufacturers are looking for other effective means to target a specific circle of users. According to E. Babelis, electric cars are theoretically more reliable when crossing fords, because the impact of water poses less danger to them than models with internal combustion engines. The most important components – motor, battery, other high-voltage devices – are reliably isolated from the environment.

“Theoretically, a well-calibrated all-wheel drive system in an electric car can perform quite well, but calibration becomes a much more complex task when the operation of the electric drive needs to be adapted to different surfaces. Good old mechanics are clearer,” says a member of the “Lithuanian Car of the Year” election commission.

Two directions

For comparison purposes, you can take the products of manufacturers known for their higher mileage models. In the latter ranks, above all, companies that develop cars with higher mileage, such as KGM or Subaru, offer themselves. The latter brand is represented in the segment of compact SUV electric vehicles by the Solterra model, and last year KGM launched the e-Motion electric version of the Korando, which was previously introduced with internal combustion engines.

South Korean luxury car manufacturer KGM previously operated under the SsangYong name. The company rebranded after it was acquired by industry giant KG Group in 2022. Although it is famous in the market for such classic SUVs as “Rexton” or the pickup “Musso”, the Koreans entered the segment of more passable electric cars in search of a golden mean.

Therefore, the 209 hp electric motor installed in the Korando e-Motion delivers the instantaneous torque of 339 Nm only to the front axle. However, other characteristics can encourage its driver to get off the asphalt more boldly: angles of almost 20 degrees of ascent and 25 degrees of descent, the ability to overcome fords reaching a depth of 30 cm and a solid 551-liter trunk for its segment become an additional incentive to plan fishing or other active recreation trips to nature. Let’s compare: the ID.4 compact electric crossover of the Volkswagen brand, which is famous for its capacity, can hold 543 liters of luggage.

In the Solterra model, the traditional elements of the Japanese brand ensure greater passability: symmetrical all-wheel drive and a ground clearance of 21 cm. However, the trunk is much smaller than the Korean model – 452 liters.

Another difference is noticeable. The manufacturers provide a standard five-year warranty for the Subaru electric car. And KGM sellers apply even 7 years or 150 thousand for the Korando e-Motion model. mileage guarantee. This is a very rare electric car, because the warranty period of the battery installed in it (8 years or 160 thousand km) almost coincides with the warranty period of the entire car.

Pricing is also different

The e-Motion’s installed 61.5 kWh battery allows you to travel up to 340 km on a single charge. On the scale of Lithuania, such characteristics are enough to go on an outing in nature or to a farm for the weekend from any big city without worry and return home.

An electric car can be charged at direct current stations at a rate of up to 100 kW, which allows from 0 to 80 percent. to replenish energy reserves in 33 minutes. A 7 kW wall-mounted AC charger will fully charge a flat battery in 11 hours.

Soltera manufacturers install a battery with a capacity of 71.4 kWh and allow to receive up to 150 kW of charging power. Yes, up to 80 percent. the battery is recharged in a similar time – 30 minutes. The manufacturers announce that the electric car can cover up to 460 km on a single charge.

The most luxurious configuration of this model includes such equipment as, for example, 20-inch rims, heated leather rear seats, a panoramic sunroof or a 360-degree panoramic car viewing system. For its part, the top-spec version of the Korando e-Motion can include leather, electrically operated, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless mobile phone charger, a heat pump, an electrically operated tailgate and more.

The pricing of these models also differs. The Solterra price in Lithuania started from 52,900 euros in mid-April, while the Korando e-Motion started at 34,990 euros.

“SUVs in Lithuania are viewed more as workhorses or adventure vehicles, while electric cars are still a relatively new topic that raises many discussions. I think that almost every car has its own circle of buyers, only some get more likes and others less”, summarizes E. Babelis.