Tesla Is Being Outsold in China By a $4.5K Electric Car You'd be forgiven for never having heard of the Hong Guang Mini EV before.

By Matthew Humphries

This story originally appeared on PCMag

Wuling via PC Mag

Tesla may have the best-selling electric vehicle in the world right now in the form of the Model 3, but in China, a rival is outselling the Model 3 at an almost two-to-one ratio. It's called the Hong Guang Mini EV, and one of its major selling points is the fact it only costs $4,500 (or $5,000 with air conditioning).

In October last year, Tesla cut the price of the Model 3 in China by 8%, meaning it's possible to buy one there for as little as $36,805. That's still over eight times more expensive than the Hong Guang Mini EV, though. But there are, of course, many tradeoffs for such a low price point.

The Mini EV uses a 9.2kWh battery offering a range of just 75 miles (120km) and relies on a single electric motor capable of 17.4 horsepower and a top speed of 62mph (100km/h). It can seat four people, but I doubt you'd want to attempt that for a long journey based on how small the Mini EV is. The tiny car is manufactured by state-owned company SAIC Motor as part of a joint venture with General Motors (GM) and known locally as Wuling.

As the BBC reports, the Mini EV is proving very popular in China not only because of the low price, but because of the one big (convenient) incentive the Chinese government offers. It can apparently take years to get a license plate for gas-powered vehicles in the country, but the government guarantees a free license plate with every electric vehicle purchase.

Related: Tesla Could Receive a Bump From a New $7,000 Tax Credit

So how popular is the Mini EV? Not only is it now outselling the Model 3 by almost double, it was the second best-selling electric vehicle in the world last year, ahead of the Renault Zoe and Tesla Model Y. The Model 3 still retains a huge lead, but Elon Musk may be concerned to hear that the Mini EV is set to be offered in other markets soon.

Matthew Humphries

Senior Editor

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

He Won the $2 Billion Powerball Jackpot. Now He's Snatching Up Swanky Homes Across Los Angeles.

Thirty-one-year-old Edwin Castro took his winnings as a lump sum.

Data & Recovery

Get a Cybersecurity and IT Bootcamp For $39.97

Help keep your digital assets safe with cybersecurity courses (reg. $754) on sale for a limited time.

Devices

Limited-Time Price Drop: Dual-Camera Drones for $110

Get an Alpha Z Pro 4K and Flying Fox drone bundle before supply runs out.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Business Ideas

These Retirees Just Wanted Their Cats to Drink More Water. Now Their Remote Side Hustle Makes $80,000 a Year.

This couple wanted to make and sell something from the comfort of their home. Now they're offering up their playbook for others.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

Too many entrepreneurs are counting too heavily on a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.