By CHEN Xiaotong
Alps, a sub-brand of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup Nio, will have a single-motor option for its first model, local tech media 36Kr reports.
The new option will reduce the size and cost of the vehicle. Most mainstream EV brands prefer dual-motor configurations for better performance.
Alps shifted to the single-motor setup after a price cut of 30,000 yuan (US$ 4,100) was announced for all its models in June.
Single-motor vehicles are more cost-effective and appeal to a wider public. Tesla offers both single-motor and dual-motor versions of its Model 3 and Model Y, with price differences between the two.
Alps is Nio’s new brand aimed at the mass market, priced at 200,000 yuan – 300,000 yuan. The first model will be based on Nio’s NT3 platform and support 800V fast charging, with mass production and delivery expected in the second half of 2024.
Nio’s other lower-positioned sub-brand, Firefly, is also making progress. About half the price of Alps, Firefly plans to debut in Europe in the third quarter of 2024.
