The Australian distributor for Chinese commercial vehicle brand Farizon Auto has confirmed its third electric vehicle (EV) for local release following the arrival of the SuperVan (SV) mid-size van range and the H9E light truck lineup last year.
Full specifications, variant details and pricing for the new Farizon V7E won’t be announced until next month (April), ahead of first customer deliveries from May.
However, distributor Jameel Motors says the V7E will compete directly with combustion-powered compact commercial vans with a 1338kg payload, 6.95m³ of cargo volume, and real-world usability “in a right-sized, agile urban commercial platform”.
Only three compact commercial vans are currently available in Australia: the Volkswagen Caddy, Renault Kangoo and Peugeot Partner, of which only the two French models are available here in all-electric guise.
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The Peugeot E-Partner Pro long-wheelbase is priced at $59,990 before on-road costs, and the Renault Kangoo E-Tech is available in both short- and long-wheelbase forms priced from $61,990 plus on-roads.
But Jameel Motors says the Farizon V7E will offer “payload, cargo capacity and real-world usability on par with or better than entry-level ICE vehicles, while quietly being 100 per cent electric”.
The petrol-powered Partner lineup starts at $39,990 plus ORCs, while the Kangoo range opens from $44,990, and Caddy prices start at $46,500.
Jameel Motors says the V7E will be targeted at “price-conscious couriers, contractors, sole traders and fleet operators” who are “seeking smarter operating economics without changing how they work”.
“The arrival of V7E reflects a clear shift in how businesses are thinking about their next commercial vehicle,” said Jameel Motors Australia country general manager Adam Lawson.
“Operators want capability, usability and value first. The V7E has been developed to deliver on those fundamentals, with electric power supporting the proposition rather than defining it.
“Many operators are reassessing the true cost of running traditional ICE vans and looking for alternatives that do not require a change in how they work. The V7E delivers the payload and usability businesses expect from a light commercial vehicle, while offering the potential for lower ongoing costs and simplified ownership over time,.”
The Farizon V7E will come with a CATL-sourced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery offering up to 329km of range according to the WLTP standard, while the Kangoo E-Tech offers up to 286km and the E-Partner up to 258km (both also WLTP).
It rides on a 3200mm wheelbase, has a total load length of 2860mm and a rear loading height of 510mm.
Other specs are yet to be revealed, but Jameel Motors says the V7E’s 1300kg payload, 6.95m³ cargo volume, generous internal load length and low loading height are “designed to meet the day-to-day demands of urban delivery, trade and fleet operations.
“Its narrow, agile body, efficient footprint and tight turning circle make it well-suited to high-frequency routes, loading zones and job-site access, while its lightweight, responsive design supports efficient movement through congested metro environments.”
Like the larger Farizon SV, Jameel Motors says the V7E will offer a suite of modern safety, comfort and connectivity features including “comprehensive driver assistance systems, advanced connectivity with smartphone integration, and modern safety technology engineered to support driver confidence and daily productivity”.
Jameel Motors distributes a range of commercial and passenger vehicles from a number of auto brands – including Toyota, Lexus, BYD, GAC, MG, Changan, Geely, Omoda Jaecoo, Hino Trucks and Ford Trucks – in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and now Australia.
Farizon is one of a number of Geely-owned brands offered in Australia, including Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Zeekr, Smart and Geely Auto.
Expressions of interest for the V7E are now open via the Farizon Australia website ahead of its local arrival in May.