Paris Auto Show 2024: Skywell 233 - another electric van from China premieres

Another Chinese player is pushing into the European LCV market: Skywell, the electric vehicle brand founded in 2000 as "Nanjing Golden Dragon" with roots in commercial vehicle manufacturing, has unveiled its upcoming large, all-electric transporter at the Paris Motor Show. The E-Van, codenamed "233," will be available in two wheelbases and two roof heights. The brand claims to have developed into a leading manufacturer of electric buses in China. In 2011, the company became part of the Skyworth Group, one of the world’s largest consumer electronics companies with an annual revenue of 21 billion pounds.

Now, they aim to leverage their expertise in heavy-duty vehicle construction and digital technology to create a transporter. The 233 is Skywell's first commercial vehicle to make its global debut in Europe, highlighting the importance of this market for the company's future plans, as it is said. The E-Van will initially be available in two body lengths (5,490 mm and 5,990 mm) and two roof heights (2,200 mm and 2,700 mm), corresponding to a load volume of about 9.5 to 13 cubic meters. Customers can choose between an allowable total weight of 3.5 t and 4.25 t. The latter offers a payload of up to 1,755 kg. Alternatively to the 88 kWh battery, there is a larger 105 kWh storage unit from the world-leading specialist CATL, which relies on a robust and environmentally friendly LFP concept (lithium iron phosphate). The batteries supply their energy to a powerfully sized 150 kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor (370 Nm).