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Ali khizar

@AliKhizar • 69,806 subscribers

Journalist/economist/ Financial & Development consultant Bylines in @brecordernews

Shorts

A new EV in the offing SERES 3 is going to be launched (locally assembled) soon in Pakistan. The expected launching price is PKR 9 million. I was given the opportunity to test drive the car. Here is my take: Like any other EV it is a more economical, soundless, and environmentally friendly car with a thrill of enjoying instant torque – I did 0 to 100 in 9 seconds (video attached). According to the manufacturers – in ideal conditions – the range is 400 km in full charge (battery capacity is 50 kwh). My experience is doing approx. 300 Km in Lahore traffic. Assuming electricity cost of Rs60/Kwh, the cost/Km is Rs9 which is 1/3rd of Sportage (the car I drive). Additionally, there is no engine maintenance cost, which makes it more economical (calculation comparison with Sportage FWD is attached). EV is the best driving option to improve the environment in your city – especially in smoggy Lahore. The biggest issue people have with EV is range anxiety – We as a family used this car for our daily errands and school runs and there was no stress for two days if we drove 80–100Km a day. The second biggest issue is that of charging. We charged this at home during the night -started charging after 11 PM (to avoid peak hour) and by 6 AM in the morning, the car is fully charged (from 30% to 100%) – hence, within city, there is no need to find a charging station. I may not prefer it on the long route – though technically it can run easily from Lahore to Bhera and within 30-40 mins charging there, the car would cruise to Islamabad. It’s a Chinese car, and I don’t like ICE Chinese cars; but in case of EV, it is a doable option. Chinese auto players are better in EV technology than Japanese and others. SERES has a very good road grip, very decent interior, and a good family car. My driver wants me to replace the one he usually drives with this one because of the cost saved in petrol. My gas guzzler-loving friends also approve of this eco-friendlier model. It’s going to be a new and exciting addition to the locally assembled cars. Good luck to Regal Motors.

A new EV in the offing SERES 3 is going to be launched (locally assembled) soon in Pakistan. The expected launching price is PKR 9 million. I was given the opportunity to test drive the car. Here is my take: Like any other EV it is a more economical, soundless, and environmentally friendly car with a thrill of enjoying instant torque – I did 0 to 100 in 9 seconds (video attached). According to the manufacturers – in ideal conditions – the range is 400 km in full charge (battery capacity is 50 kwh). My experience is doing approx. 300 Km in Lahore traffic. Assuming electricity cost of Rs60/Kwh, the cost/Km is Rs9 which is 1/3rd of Sportage (the car I drive). Additionally, there is no engine maintenance cost, which makes it more economical (calculation comparison with Sportage FWD is attached). EV is the best driving option to improve the environment in your city – especially in smoggy Lahore. The biggest issue people have with EV is range anxiety – We as a family used this car for our daily errands and school runs and there was no stress for two days if we drove 80–100Km a day. The second biggest issue is that of charging. We charged this at home during the night -started charging after 11 PM (to avoid peak hour) and by 6 AM in the morning, the car is fully charged (from 30% to 100%) – hence, within city, there is no need to find a charging station. I may not prefer it on the long route – though technically it can run easily from Lahore to Bhera and within 30-40 mins charging there, the car would cruise to Islamabad. It’s a Chinese car, and I don’t like ICE Chinese cars; but in case of EV, it is a doable option. Chinese auto players are better in EV technology than Japanese and others. SERES has a very good road grip, very decent interior, and a good family car. My driver wants me to replace the one he usually drives with this one because of the cost saved in petrol. My gas guzzler-loving friends also approve of this eco-friendlier model. It’s going to be a new and exciting addition to the locally assembled cars. Good luck to Regal Motors.

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