Chery ICar V23 Comes With Battery Exchange Technology, Power Down For Efficiency

Photo: Chery preparing iCar V23 variants can swap batteries. (Photo: MIIT)

JAKARTA Chery prepared iCar V23 in a new variant that supports the battery exchange system. This option allows drivers to replace battery packages in a matter of minutes, but comes with a compromise in the form of lower power than the standard version.

Launching from Carnewschina, Saturday, December 6, this variant with the ability to exchange batteries is equipped with a 100 kW electric motorbike or the equivalent of 134 hp. Meanwhile, the planting battery version has a motorbike more powerful 185 kW or about 248 hp.

This difference makes two character performances quite contrasted in one line of models. The second weight of the variant is also thin, with the battery exchange version recorded at 1,720 kg, or 15 kg lighter than the regular model.

Regarding appearance, iCar V23 still maintains the modern offroad design which is its trademark. This model uses round headlights, two-level DRL LED, a large feder, and a five-stop rim.

The dimensions cover a length of 4,220 mm, a width of 1,915 mm, a height of 1,845 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,735 mm. This battery exchange variant is part of the 'Chocolate' ecosystem, namely the battery exchange network developed by CATL along with a number of automotive manufacturers.

In the domestic market, analysts estimate the regular version of iCar V23 is around $13,000, while the battery swap version is expected to be below 8,000 US dollars.

Until now, the Chocolate battery exchange network only operates in China so that this special variant is projected to be sold for the local market only. Chery's move to add a battery exchange variant to iCar V23 provides a wider alternative for EV users who need charging flexibility, as well as add a variety of options in the compact electric SUV segment.