Enviro Automotive’s EC35 electric panel van
Enviro Automotive is showcasing its EC35 panel van at this year’s Smarter Mobility Africa (SMA) Summit at the CSIR in Pretoria, taking place from 5 – 7 October 2022. Enviro Automotive, the importer and distributor of DFSK electric vehicles, showcased its EC35 battery-electric panel van for the first time at the Festival of Motoring (FoM) in August.
Article by: Enviro Automotive
The SMA Summit, a partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), forms part of Transport Month and covers every aspect of the mobility industry, from public transport to electric vehicles, battery technology, GIS, to Urban Logistics.
The Chinese automaker DFSK (Dongfeng Sokon Automobile) is a joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Company and the Chongqing Sokon Industry Group. Following the successful introduction of its popular C-Series range of delivery bakkies and panel vans in 2009, the company extended the range by introducing the battery-electric EC35 panel van and EC31 bakkie in 2018.
“We are very excited about industry feedback. The biggest drawcard for transport operators is the massive savings on running costs,” says Gideon Wolvaardt, Managing Director of Enviro Automotive. “Two of our Gauteng dealers, EnviroWheels and EV Solar Solutions, are showcasing our products at industry shows and exhibitions, and they can’t keep up with demonstrations and test drives.”
The EC35 is very popular in the last-mile delivery industry in markets where the DFSK brand is represented. It is known for creating huge savings in energy and transportation costs and for its practicality and manoeuvrability in tight parking spots and load bay areas.
The practical load compartment of the two-seater EC35 is accessible via sliding doors on both sides of the panel van and the tailgate, making loading and offloading easy. It offers a payload of 1 015 kg and a large loading space of 4.8 m³. The cargo area’s dimensions are 2 530 mm (L) x 1 440 mm (W) x 1 270 mm (H).
The EC35 is equipped with a single synchronous electric motor that produces 60 kW and 200 Nm of torque. It features a 38.7 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery. Charging the battery will cost as little as R56.50 and yield a travel distance of up to 270 km, depending on load and traffic conditions. With a fast charger, the battery could be charged from zero to 80 percent in less than an hour.
The EC35 features ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and Electric Power Steering (EPS). It boasts a selection of modern-day driver comforts, including air-conditioning, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, and a touchscreen infotainment system.
It is backed by DFSK’s three-year/60 000 km manufacturer warranty and service plan. The traction battery has a five-year/120 000 km warranty. Minimal maintenance is required, and services are scheduled every 12 months or 20 000 km.
“This summit presents the ideal platform to showcase our new electric panel van to the South African public. With a 25 cents per kilometre operating cost and low service and maintenance bills, our EC35 offers a great opportunity for local transport operators in the last-mile delivery market to address modern-day mobility needs,” says Wolvaardt.
“We invite the public to visit the EV Solar Solutions stand (SU9) to learn more about our exciting new panel van and EC31 electric bakkie that will be launched soon,” says Wolvaardt.
