Chery is preparing to launch its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in South Africa with the Q.
Image: Willem van de Putte
Chery is preparing to launch its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in South Africa, and if they get their sums correct, the Chinese manufacturer is aiming to make it the cheapest in the country.
Shown at the Beijing Auto Show, it will be sold locally as the Q rather than QQ. The hatchback marks a clean break from the original Chery QQ sold in the late 2000s as a ground-up electric model, positioned as an entry-level EV aimed at broader market adoption.
Affordability remains central to the Q’s positioning, and Chery management is aiming it directly at the Geely E2, which is currently the cheapest EV in the market at R339 900, as well as the BYD Dolphin Surf priced at R341 900.
The Q is built on Chery’s dedicated T12 electric platform and adopts a rear-mounted motor driving the rear wheels.
In terms of size, it’s 4,195mm long, 1,811mm wide, 1,573mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,700mm.
The long wheelbase is key to translating into improved interior space.
Up front, there is a 35-litre storage compartment or “frunk", while boot capacity ranges from 375 litres to 1,450 litres with the rear seats folded.
The Q is built on Chery’s dedicated T12 electric platform and adopts a rear-mounted motor driving the rear wheels.
Image: Willem van de Putte
We expect the higher-output version to be heading to our shores with 90kW and 115Nm of torque.
In China, a lower-spec version is also offered, producing 50kW and 90Nm from a smaller battery pack.
The rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration is unusual, with most competitors retaining front-wheel-drive layouts.
Globally, the Q is offered with two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options.
A 29.4kWh with up to 310 kilometres of range (CLTC) and a 41.2kWh with a 420 kilometre range (CLTC), with South Africa expected to receive the larger battery option.
In real-world terms, this is likely to translate to a usable range of around 300–350km, depending on conditions and driving style.
Depending on specification, features include a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, AI-based interface and connected services, wireless smartphone charging with ventilation, electric tailgate and electric, heated and ventilated front seats.
The Q is equipped with a range of driver assistance and safety systems that indicate Level 2 driver assistance capability.
It has adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, a 540-degree surround-view camera system, park assist, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.
Depending on specification, features include a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, AI-based interface and connected services.
Image: Willem van de Putte
We had a brief driving stint at Chery’s track at its Wuhu factory that included acceleration, slalom and braking.
First impressions were that it’s decently assembled and has a surprising amount of interior space, and sitting at the back, I had more than enough leg and headroom.
It’s a small entry-level EV, and as a result, acceleration isn’t particularly quick but aimed more at city driving, which our brief encounter showed it would probably excel at.
Steering is light and easy, and through the slalom course, it proved to be quite nimble between the cones.
Precise timing for launch hasn’t been confirmed, but the company says it will be here in 2026, heating the affordable small EV battle for South African hearts and minds.