FreZe Nikrob EV: Europe's Cheapest Mass-Produced Electric Car

It is China’s most popular mass-produced EV: the angular FreZe Nikrob EV, better known there as the Hongguang Mini EV from Wuling – a company in which GM has a stake. According to the platform Auto Motor und Sport, the tiny vehicle sold 55,781 units in China within the first three months since its launch in July 2020 – more often than the Tesla Model 3. Since then, the 2.92-meter dwarf has mostly topped Chinese EV registrations, indicating a fundamental level of quality.

The Latvian company Dartz offers the model for configuration and purchase via an Austrian website. While the Latvians cannot maintain the ultra-cheap Chinese rate of approximately 3,700 euros, the Nikrob is on the Bafa list of electric cars eligible for the innovation premium in Germany. From the net list price starting at 16,000 euros, both the manufacturer share (3,000 euros) and the federal subsidy (6,000 euros) are deducted, making the Freze Nikrob EV available in Germany starting from 7,000 euros net or 8,330 euros gross.

However, for sale in Europe, a safety update was necessary, meaning airbags and an electromechanical power steering (EPS). Some components need to be reinforced, and an EU interface for vehicle data access is required. Standard features include LED headlights, a rearview camera, and air conditioning.

The Nikrob is supposed to be M1 and highway-capable in the EU. However, an official crash test is still pending. Dartz has also made further improvements: a different alternator is supposed to extend the range by 30 kilometers to up to 200 kilometers compared to the Chinese counterpart.

The lithium-iron-phosphate battery offers 16.35 kWh capacity, meaning the Dartz must be very efficient to achieve the 200 km range – which could be somewhat challenging given its not-so-light 1,070 kg empty weight (that's heavier than a Dacia Spring!). The electric motor comes from Siemens and delivers 29 kW (39 PS), allowing for a top speed of up to 110 km/h.

What does that mean?

In China, this small vehicle has been a top-seller among electric cars for years, which is why it's also available as a convertible there. The package doesn't promise any revolutions, but the price is attractive and if two seats are enough, the Nikrob EV could find many customers among delivery and care services. However, this would also require a service network and perhaps good results in an official crash test.