Premium Chinese automaker Hongqi has expanded its all-electric E-QM5 sedan lineup with a new version named Battery Swap Edition. As the name implies, you can replace its battery with a full one at any supported charging station – or charge it as usual, no difference there.
According to CarNewsChina, this version was designed to be the most economical and affordable. As such, it only costs 89,800 CNY ($12,630) on the domestic market – quite a substantial discount from the 121,800 CNY ($17,130) of the regular E-QM5.
Interestingly, the powertrain stays exactly the same. A single e-motor drives the wheels with 150 PS (148 hp / 110 kW) and 205 Nm (152 lb-ft) of torque, drawing power from a 56-kWh battery from CATL. When full, the car makes 500 km (310 miles) per charge, up from the standard version’s 475 km (295 miles).
Hongqi doesn’t reveal any reasons behind the savings or the range improvements, but we assume some equipment on board was scrapped. The BSE is being marketed as a vehicle for ridesharing fleets, so it’s probably as barebones as it can get.
Higher trims of the Hongqi E-QM5 are obtainable in China with larger 60- and 72-kWh battery packs providing up to 610 km (379 miles) per charge. These packs can’t be made swappable, though.
