Jaecoo J5 BEV arrives in SA as brand’s first EV
Electric vehicles in Mzansi are slowly moving beyond being niche products for early adopters to models that ordinary buyers might genuinely consider. Chinese manufacturers, for example, have been at the forefront of that push, and now Jaexoo is adding another option to that growing list.
Say hello to the J5 BEV, which is earmarked to join the existing petrol and hybrid models in the coming months. Priced at R549,900, the J5 BEV sits at the top of the J5 range, although it remains more affordable than the flagship J7 Vortex.
Power comes from a single front-mounted electric motor producing 155kW and 288Nm, drawing energy from a 58.9kWh battery pack. Jaecoo claims a driving range of up to 402km on a full charge, making the J5 BEV well suited to daily commuting and the occasional weekend trip.
In terms of recharging the battery pack, the J5 BEV supports 11kW AC charging and up to 130kW DC charging. The latter which will be able to recharge the SUV from 30% to 80% in around 28 minutes. Like most EVs from the east, the J5 also features vehicle-to-load capability.
Aesthetically, it looks different from its ICE-powered counterpart, thanks to a streamlined front fascia that consists of a lightbar spanning the full width of the car, a full-width black trim section at the lower end, and a charging port on the front right fender. As for the standard features, the electric J5 comes with 18-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, automatic LED headlights, heated, power-adjustable and power-folding exterior mirrors. For buyers with an adventurous lifestyle in mind, the J5 BEV also comes fitted with roof rails, a power-operated tailgate and an underbody protection shield.
Inside, the J5 BEV is available with black or white options, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, electric-adjustable front seats with ventilation functionality, multi-colour ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and front and back USB and Type-C ports.
Passive and active safety systems come courtesy of six airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ESC, traction control, Hill Start Assist, electronic parking brake with auto hold and ISOFIX child-seat anchorage points.
The Jaecoo J5 BEV enters the fray with competitive pricing and a generous specification list to become a compelling option for those looking to switch to EVs. Whether that translates into strong sales remains to be seen, but the list of affordable EVs locally continues to grow, and that’s a good thing.
