April the 28th to April the 30th 2023 was the return of the Fully Charged Show Live. The final year before the rebrand to Everything electric. EVision was in attendance and so were so many amazing electric vehicles. There were so many fantastic new electric cars and more on display that it would be impossible to include every single one in just one review and do it justice. Therefore, I have decided to split the review up into 4 parts.
Stay tuned to find out what I talk about in the next 3 blog posts I have planned. In each article I will discuss one of the 4 electric vehicles that EVision had on display, plus I will talk about 3 or 4 of the other vehicles on display that caught my eye.
Magnificent Maxus T90
There really was everything electric at the show and EVision was delighted to be a part of it. The first of the 4 vehicles that we took up to Farnborough that I shall discuss is the Maxus T90.
Of all the vehicles that went to the show, the Maxus T90 got the least attention. Now, this is something that I can understand. The other three electric vehicles that went with us were all wow factor machines, whereas the Maxus T90 represents the true workhorse side of the EV industry.
Thrill seekers may want to consider something different. However, if it is a solid work pickup truck that you are after that can perform really well, then the Maxus T90 could very well be the ideal electric vehicle for you.
When you have a closer look at the specs of the Maxus T90 you will see just why this is a vehicle you want on your team. There is a real world range of 200 miles for a start. This is a very generous amount that is far far more than nearly anyone would ever need during the work day (the average daily commute is less than 20 miles in the UK). The load length is up to 1.4 metres and the payload capacity sits at 1 tonne. These are seriously competitive figures on a seriously competitive EV.
BYD Atto 3
I have written blog posts about the BYD manufacturer before. However, that was some time ago. Therefore, I will give you a little bit about who they are. You will probably become familiar with the name over the next few years anyway as they start their expansion throughout Europe.
BYD stands for Build Your Dreams and it is a Chinese based manufacturer (we said you should keep your eye on the Chinese market). The company was founded in 2003 in the Shaanxi Province of the country. This followed the successful acquisition of the Quinchaun Automobile Company the previous year. BYD has since built a solid base in China and are well known for producing excellent electric cars.
2023 at the Fully Charged Live event was a big one for BYD. It was their official launch into the UK market. The first BYD electric car we will see on sale is the Atto 3. This was one of the BYD fayre on offer at Farnborough smorgasbord of electric vehicles.
An SUV by nature, the Atto 3 is likely going to be a very popular vehicle on the UK market, not least because the price bracket will most likely be further south of other similar cars on the EV market. A real world range of around 200 miles, a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 99mph are figures that are sure to appeal.
BYD Dolphin
Visitors to the Fully Charged Live South event may have been lucky enough to see the grand unveiling of the BYD Dolphin. Just like its namesake, the BYD Dolphin is a cute vehicle that is bound to have mass appeal. Falling under the hatchback category of smaller cars (which we really need more of) the Dolphin is such a well designed electric vehicle.
Here is what we know about the BYD Specs. At least for the model of the BYD Dolphin that will be coming to the UK at some point. A whopping 265 miles of range has been claimed. If the real world figures are anywhere near to this, then that would be pretty popular with the masses and, especially, the EV teeterers.
The 0-60mph time is an impressive 7 seconds, which is quick for a hatchback car. It is presumed that the Dolphin will go on sale in the late summer 2023 and that it could well cost below the £30,000 mark. Not too shabby.
Ora Funky Cat
Ora is another manufacturer that you may be unfamiliar with… for now. However, they are another of the Chinese automotive companies that are breaking into the European market. The first of the Ora vehicles that will be available in the UK is the Ora Funky Cat.
This is a nicely designed hatchback electric car that isn’t too “off the charts” when it comes to gadgets and gizmos. It is a perfect car for an initiation into the world of electric vehicles and I am sure that it will prove to be a great success in Britain.
The first edition of the Funky Cat has a real world range of around 160 miles. It has a top speed of 99mph and it can achieve a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds. This is a vehicle that is perfect for use as a runaround electric car. It is also very pleasing on the eye. There is a lot to love about the Funky Cat.
Ora Lightning Cat
What is it about this company and cats? While I have no idea why Ora went with this nomenclature, I can tell you that the Ora Lightning Cat is a stunning piece of EV architecture. Said to be a future competitor of Porsche, this is a wonderful sports car style vehicle that is built for opulence.
Let’s talk about the specs of the Ora Lightning Cat. First of all, there is an 82kWh battery underneath which is powering the vehicle. This is larger than many vehicles in the same category. The top speed is 112mph and it can achieve a 0-62mph time in a stunning 3 seconds. This is a serious performance vehicle.
There we have it. The first 5 vehicles reviewed from the Fully Charged Live South 2023. Keep an eye out on the next blog in which we will be going over another 4 or 5 of the best in show.
