Kandi reveals vehicle looking like a pickup
Kandi America, the US subsidiary of Chinese EV manufacturer Kandi, has introduced its first off-road all-electric dual-motor 4-wheel drive UTV, the K32 –basically a recreational pickup truck without much power.
The designation that avoids calling the vehicle a pickup truck is owing to the trucks smaller battery and power ratings. Despite the lack of power, range and speed, the company is still asking grown-up prices: Two versions of the Kandi K32 will feature standard range and long-range, priced at $27,699 and $34,499 respectively. The Kandi 32, still manages midsize truck dimensions, 214-inches long (544 cm), 73.6-in wide (187 cm), 82-in high (208 cm), and it has a 122-in (310 cm) wheelbase.
Kandi’s K32 is offering a base Standard Range model with a 20.7 kWh battery enabling 60 miles (96 km) of range, while the Long Range variant has been given a 50 kWh pack for up to 150 miles (241 km) of range. Both the basic and long-range variants of the K32 are equipped with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain. The reminder of why this is not called a pickup truck is clear with an output of only 21 kW (28 hp). If this data is for just one of two motors (which is not clear), this would make a grand total of only 42 kW (56 hp).
The lack of power of course also limits the speed to 65 mph (105 km/h). Kandi America has said it will sell the K32 through its Powersports dealer network, which would indicate that the vehicle is not road-legal.
“Recognising the growing enthusiasm for electric off-road recreational vehicles, Kandi is leveraging its automotive experience and EV technology to make a splash in the powersports industry,” said Johnny Tai, CEO of Kandi America. “Kandi has produced off-road recreational vehicles for decades and is now upgrading the rider experience by re-purposing its cutting-edge EV technology.”
Pickup trucks are big business in the USA. Ford’s very popular F-150, which has had to increase production numbers to meet the unexpected demand, is going for prices starting at $39,974 before subsidies. By comparison, this pickup is obviously road-legal and has two battery options for 230 or 300 miles of range (370 – 483 kilometres).
Deliveries of the recreational or light work farm vehicle should begin in the first quarter of next year.
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