KATHMANDU: French automobile manufacturer Renault has begun testing the electric version of its popular hatchback, Kwid, in Nepal and India.
Advance Automobile, the official distributor for Renault in Nepal, has been testing the Kwid EV, at various locations within the country. Officials of the company say they plan to launch the Kwid EV at the NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo being held in Kathmandu in the first week of August.
Renault sells the Kwid EV as the Dacia Spring EV in European markets and as the City K-ZE EV under the Renault brand in China.
The Kwid EV brought to Nepal was manufactured in China. However, Renault plans to start production of Kwid EV in India as well.
Priced at around $9,000 in China, the Kwid EV is expected to compete with the Kaiyi eQute 04 and Tata Tiago EV in the Nepali market.
The Kwid EV made in China is equipped with a 26.8 kWh LFP battery pack delivering an NEDC range of 271 kilometers. Its real-world range, however, is expected to be around 200 kilometers. It comes with a 33 kW electric motor delivering 44 horsepower and 125 Nm of torque.
Built on Renault’s CMF-A EV platform, the Kwid EV includes features such as 4G Wi-Fi connectivity, an 8-inch infotainment system, dual airbags, a rear parking camera, tire pressure monitoring system and a gear rotary knob in the center console.
The vehicle measures 3,740 mm in length, 1,580 mm in width and 1,480 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,423 mm.
Priced at around $9,000 in China, the Kwid EV is expected to compete with the Kaiyi eQute 04 and Tata Tiago EV in the Nepali market.
