Pony and Rino land in Argentina: what the new Chinese electric cars are like

The electric mobility market is gaining new players in Argentina. The Martelli Group announced the arrival of BAW, a new Chinese brand specializing in electric urban vehicles that comes to the country with two models designed for the city: the Pony and the Rino.

These are compact proposals, with low operating costs and focused on urban routes. Both models are already available in the local market imported from China.

What the Pony is like, the electric city car for four passengers

The Pony is a small electric vehicle designed for daily mobility in the city. It has a capacity for four occupants and uses iron phosphate and lithium batteries of 13.7 kWh.

The system powers an electric motor of 26.8 horsepower. According to the brand, it offers a range of between 170 and 200 kilometers, depending on usage conditions.

In terms of equipment, it includes as standard:

• Driver airbag.

• ABS brakes.

• Isofix anchors for child seats.

• Maximum speed limited to 90 km/h.

Rino: the electric utility vehicle available in Pick-up and Van versions

The other novelty is the Rino, an electric utility vehicle that is sold in Pick-up and Van versions.

It is equipped with an iron phosphate and lithium battery of 15.4 kWh and an electric motor of 30 horsepower, accompanied by a torque of 110 Nm.

Its declared range is 150 kilometers and it can carry up to 850 kilograms of cargo. Its main features include:

• ABS brakes.

• Load capacity of 850 kg.

The main limitation of these electric vehicles

Both the Pony and the Rino have been homologated under Category L7, a classification intended for light vehicles for urban use.

This means they are not authorized to circulate on highways or motorways. Their use is restricted to streets and avenues.

Additionally, this category allows for homologations with safety requirements different from those of a conventional car. For example, the Rino does not include airbags and neither model has stability control (ESP).

What range the new urban electric vehicles offer

One of the main selling points of these vehicles is their low operating cost and their focus on short and medium-distance urban trips.

• Pony: between 170 and 200 kilometers of range.

• Rino: up to 150 kilometers of range.

Both use iron phosphate and lithium batteries, a technology increasingly used in the segment for its durability and lower maintenance cost.

Prices and warranty in Argentina

The new BAW range is already available at dealerships in the country with the following prices:

• Pony: between US$ 19,500 and US$ 21,000.

• Rino Pick-up: US$ 19,800.

• Rino Van: US$ 21,300.

The warranty is three years or 100,000 kilometers for the complete vehicle and eight years or 120,000 kilometers for the batteries.