Bolivia presents the first locally made electric cars

The first generation of electric cars manufactured in Bolivia, which opens the prospects for the production of rechargeable lithium batteries, became the main attraction of an important industrial fair that takes place in Santa Cruz (east), Bolivian television media highlighted on Saturday .

These vehicles, which operate with clean energy, were manufactured in two models, Quantum E2 and Quantum E3, and have a range of travel between 60 to 70 km and is capable of transporting up to three people.

Before its launch, the vehicle was tested "on all types of terrain" in Andean regions whose altitudes range between 2,400 and 4,000 meters, said Ariel Revollo, Quantum's commercial manager, to local media.

Electric vehicles can reach a maximum speed of 45 kilometers per hour and its promotional price is $ 4,700 for the E2 model and 5,200 for the E3.

They are recharged by plugging them into a 220-volt power source for a period of 7 hours. Each full load has an estimated cost equivalent to 50 cents, almost similar to the cost of the liter of the cheapest Bolivian gasoline, which makes it a very economical vehicle.

The first 50 units have already been fully awarded and will be delivered until the end of the year. It is planned to manufacture a new batch of 120 vehicles, according to the firm that manufactures them.

Both models are 2.50 meters long, 1.20 m wide and 1.48 m high and have a weight of 420 and 460 kilograms, respectively. It is equipped with a start button, backup camera, LED daytime running lights, air conditioning, radio and electric glasses.

The electric vehicle manufacturing project in Bolivia took two years and was advised by a former General Motors employee.

According to the Bolivian Automotive Chamber (CAB), in the first seven months of the year the country imported 30,201 vehicles, which represents an increase of 12.5% ​​compared to the same period of 2018, when that import reached 26,832 units.

Bolivia, which has the largest reserves of lithium in the world with Chile and Argentina, is preparing to make the leap to the industrial production of this key metal in China's leading electromotive industry.

In the first phase, Bolivia plans to produce lithium batteries.