ZEEKR launches 7X SUV in China for $32,500 after nabbing close to 60,000 pre-orders
Less than a month after its public unveiling, ZEEKR has officially launched its new family-friendly 7X SUV in China before it makes its way to global markets. Today, we also learned the 7X’s starting pricing, which comes in at RMB 229,900, or about $32,500.
Always one to move quickly, ZEEKR’s progress to today’s launch of the 7X SUV has been steadfast and filled with continuous updates. We first caught wind of a new all-electric SUV model this past July when we saw some camouflaged images of what was initially called “the CX1e.”
Two days later, ZEEKR confirmed the new model is called the 7X and will join the X SUV as the second all-electric model to be sold globally. Shortly after, ZEEKR shared uncamouflaged images and news that the 7X will be its first model to feature its new LFP batteries that can recharge from 10-80% in 10.5 minutes.
At that time, ZEEKR shared that the dual-motor version of the 7X can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in four seconds. However, after its official unveiling in China last month, we learned the 7X is faster than initially stated and would begin rolling out to customers overseas by the end of September.
As we enter the latter part of September, ZEEKR has officially launched the 7X SUV in China, with much excitement from customers who have shown up in droves to place their orders.
ZEEKR 7X SUV deliveries to begin in China this month
Per ZEEKR, the five-seat 7X SUV has officially launched in China and was “crafted to disrupt the status quo, masterfully blending high-end comfort with robust capabilities for off-road exploration, making it ideal for both urban and rugged environments.”
Although it has continuously been advertised as a family-friendly SUV, the 7X is equipped with impressive off-road capabilities, including a double wishbone and air suspension that enable a ground clearance of 230mm (9 inches). ZEEKR also shared that the 7X is the world’s first all-electric SUV to climb Bilutu Peak – the highest fixed dune on the planet.
As we mentioned last month, the 7X can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.8 seconds and is available in two battery configurations. Consumers can opt for a 75 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery that offers a (CLTC) range of 605 km (376 miles) or a 100 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) variant that delivers up to 780 km (485 miles) of CLTC range.
As mentioned above, today’s launch of the ZEEKR 7X SUV offered the first glimpse at pricing. While we don’t yet know the pricing difference between the two battery variants, we have learned that the new model will start at RMB 229,900 ($32,500).
That’s an enticing price for an electric vehicle of this size in any market, and the consumers in China agree so far. ZEEKR shared that since opening pre-orders 20 days ago, the 7X SUV has secured 58,000 orders.
Deliveries are expected to begin in China before the end of September, followed by a launch in other global markets, such as Europe, within a year.
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Despite its small size, Volvo’s cheapest EV continued its dominant run last month in Europe. The Volvo EX30 was Europe’s second-best-selling EV, behind only the Tesla Model Y, as sales continued surging.
Volvo EX30 sales continue surging in Europe in August
According to new data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), EV registration in the EU fell by 43.9% in August as the two biggest markets, Germany (-68.8%) and France (-33.1%), saw significant declines.
Despite this, Volvo was one of the bright spots, as overall vehicle sales climbed 36%. With 19,605 vehicles sold last month, Volvo topped Tesla and Fiat to become the fourteenth largest automaker in the EU, UK, and EFTA countries, according to Dataforce.
Volvo’s growth was largely thanks to the new EX30, which added 6,377 in sales to its total. The growth was enough to become Europe’s second best-selling EV, behind only Tesla’s Model Y.
The accomplishment is significant, given Volvo handed over the first EX30 models last December.
Volvo’s global sales rose 3% in August, with 52,944 cars sold. The EX30 was its fourth top-selling vehicle, with 8,346 units sold, behind the XC60 (14,723) and XC40/EX40, which had 10,668 combined sales.
Starting at around 36,000 euros ($40,000), the EX30 is one of Europe’s most affordable EVs. Although due to hit the market later than expected, the EX30 is scheduled to launch in the US next year, starting at $34,950.
The delay comes as the US announced a new 100% tariff on EVs imported from China, where the EX30 is currently built.
Volvo is fast-tracking production at its Ghent, Belgium plant to export EX30 models to the US, enabling it to bypass the additional tariffs.
Electrek’s Take
Will the Volvo EX30 have the same impact in the US? Starting at under $35,000, the small electric SUV will not only be one of the cheapest EVs in the US but also one of the most affordable vehicles (gas-powered or EV) on the market.
According to the latest data from Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price (ATP) for a new vehicle in the US was $47,870 in August.
Volvo is also launching its flagship electric seven-seater, the EX90 (check out our review of the luxury 7-seat kid-hauler).
Although Volvo’s sales in the US and Canada were down 0.2% through the first eight months, Volvo expects new EVs in key segments to quickly recharge sales.
Source: Automotive News
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Chicago-based NanoGraf will build a $175 million factory to produce 2,500 tons of silicon anode material to support up to 1.5 million EVs per year.
NanoGraf’s new factory
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $60 million to the silicon anode battery company to help build its factory under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
NanoGraf’s project is one of 25 selected across 14 states to receive a portion of the over $3 billion in grants that the DOE announced today. These grants aim to strengthen domestic production of advanced batteries and battery materials in the US.
NanoGraf will use the grant, in addition to its own capital, to retrofit an existing factory in Flint, Michigan. It will be one of the world’s largest silicon anode facilities, significantly boosting US efforts to onshore the battery supply chain. The company says its advanced silicon anode battery material enables stronger, lighter, and longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries.
The Flint factory is NanoGraf’s third battery material factory and increases the company’s total manufacturing footprint to over 414,000 square feet. NanoGraf currently produces silicon anode material for the US military out of two Chicago-based manufacturing facilities, including a new R&D facility at 455 N Ashland Avenue and its headquarters at 400 N Noble Street.
The project will create approximately 200 construction jobs through a project labor agreement with the North American Building Trades Union. Up to 150 new permanent jobs will be created for operations, and around 80% are expected to come directly from the local community.
NanoGraf has signed a neutrality agreement with the United Steelworkers and says it’s committed to partnering with them should a majority of employees wish to unionize.
Electrek’s Take
In November 2022, Connor Hund, chief operating officer at NanoGraf, and I discussed a $10 million Department of Defense contract that the company had secured.
Hund told me that the company’s 18-month contract with the DoD allowed it to scale up domestic production in a careful and deliberate way so that it could lay the groundwork for the next stage of supplying domestically produced batteries to the EV market by 2024.
NanoGraf doesn’t say when it intends to open the Flint factory, but it’s certainly moving toward the next-stage goal that it set in a timely fashion. A huge domestically made lithium-ion battery factory is a welcome thing.
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On the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we interview Alpitronic CEO Mike Doucleff, we discuss a Tesla Semi update, GM going NACS, and more.
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