The launch of China's first self-developed and mass-produced wholly-electric car yesterday may power the domestic green auto industry toward possible commercial viability.
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The Roewe E50 is developed by Shanghai-based SAIC based on a platform designed for electric vehicles, which is the first of its kind in China.Â
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Costing 234,900 yuan (US$37,585), the three-door hatchback is cheaper than most other electric cars which sell for more than 300,000 yuan.Â
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A maximum government subsidy of 94,000 yuan will make the Roewe E50 even cheaper in pilot cities for green cars like Shanghai, and a possible free Shanghai license plate for new-energy cars can save drivers 65,000 yuan based on the city's latest plate auction prices.Â
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The Roewe E50 can travel at a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour and a maximum 190 kilometers on a single full charge which takes six hours using a household 220-volt power. Fast charging to 80 percent only takes 30 minutes.