Blade Electric Vehicles (BEV) in Australia is debuting its latest all-electric vehicle, the new generation Electron Mk VI, which the automaker is deeming to be the most environmentally friendly car now available Down Under.
BEV, which was set up in 2006 by entrepreneur Ross Blade, converts Hyundai Getz vehicles into electric drive cars. The company, which has its headquarters in Castlemaine in Central Victoria, started selling Australia’s first commercially available electric vehicle, the Electron, or the ‘Blade Runner’ in 2008. The Electron vehicle range can now be registered in all Australian states and in New Zealand.
Capable of seating four people, the latest iteration of the Electron, the Mk VI features a 70kW motor, which can accelerate from 0-60km in five seconds and has a three-speed semi-automatic transmission. BEV says the car can reach a top speed of up to 160km/h and a range of 160km in “real-world urban driving conditions”, with a driving range of 100km on motorways.
It is deeming the Electron Mk VI as the first commercial Australian EV to be powered by new generation compact and lightweight LiFePO4 lithium ion batteries. The car will have 160Nm of available torque.
“We believe the Electron MkVI to be the most environmentally friendly car available in Australia, offering genuine emissions-free driving when charged with 100pc renewable energy,” said the company in a statement.
According to BEV, the car is capable of being charged in two hours at home or at a public charging station, with buyers having the option to purchase an EcoTality wall-mounted home charging station from AUS$3,500.
The Electron Mk VI comes with a heftier price tag however, at AUS$47,000.
Photo: The new Electron Mk VI, produced by BEV. Image courtesy of the company
