(An occasional comparison of EVs and PHEVs). This one compares the Zeekr 001 to a Tesla model Y.
I just spotted a Zeekr 001 in Monterrey, an electric car I haven’t seen before now. It is manufactured by Zeekr, a premium electric vehicle (EV) brand under China's Geely Holding Group. Geely also owns or holds significant stakes in other automotive brands like Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Lynk & Co.
My wife and I will sooner or later get rid of our ICE vehicle, a V6 Camry that has proved 100% reliable, and go electric. We’re retired. I want an EV that I can charge using solar panels, and that will power the house if the electricity fails. I think we’ll buy a BYD Dolphin though, not the Zeekr, for price.
The Zeekr 001 is priced at 988,000 Mexican pesos ($54,790), while the Zeekr X starts at 799,000 Mexican pesos ($44,309). In China, these models are priced at RMB 269,000 ($36,990) and RMB 200,000, respectively. The Zeekr 001, launched on April 17, 2021, with deliveries beginning in October 2021, has been a major seller, accounting for 64% of Zeekr’s 118,685 units sold in 2023.
It’s worth looking at the specifications: boy, are they impressive. I’m going to compare with the Tesla Model Y, which costs $51,490 in the USA. (AWD performance model, like for like)
Zeekr 001 Tesla “Y” AWD
0-100Km/h 3.8s 5s
Range 620Km 514Km
Peak power 400KW 433KW
Charge 30 min 27 min (10-80%)
Battery 100KWh 75KWh
You might feel aggrieved that tariffs would double the price of a Zeekr 001. Let me tell you, I feel aggrieved that the price in China is $36,990 not $54,790. Assume it costs $1000 to ship a car. That leaves an extra $16,800 more. What percentage of the China price IS that? 45%!
Officially, Mexico applies a tariff of 15-20% on Chinese EVs. I wonder where the other 20% is going?
