BONTU enters the European market with minicars and mini commercial vehicles
Some popular electric quadricycles have caught the imagination of Europeans, including our very own eVNewt who owns a Citroen AMI. There’s even a version from Fiat called the Topolini as well as Opel’s Rocks-e (sadly no Vauxhall equivalent). And some may have spotted a Birò out and about, too, but this resembles something that might carry golf bats, albeit it’s street legal.
What these quadricycles represent is super-cheap motoring for those wishing to dash about towns and cities with minimal cost and maximum efficiency with a little dash of freedom.
BONTU
However, there is a new kid on the block from a Chinese company called BONTU. But they’re not content with offering just one vehicle because they have three to offer; a super-tiny two seater car called the BONTU BTE09, a slightly larger two seater car called the BONTU BTE05 and the BONTU BTE03 van.
There’s also optional battery sizes, plus multiple-versions of the commercial vehicle and some vehicles have speeds good enough for travelling along a dual carriageway. It sounds crazy, but the Citroen AMI is limited to just 28 mph.
Based in Shandong, Bontu New Energy Vehicle Industry Co. Ltd. is a technology company specialized in the research and development, production, and marketing of electric vehicles. BONTU now has European certification and is expected to start selling its vehicles in the EU soon, but there is a chance they could make their way to the U.K., too.
MINICAR RANGE
BONTU BTE09
Dimensions & Options
2,750 mm long
1,450 mm wide
1,640 mm high
1,755 mm wheelbase
Available as a 2-seater (L6e) and 4-seater (L7e) + storing Compartment
Performance
The BTE09 L6e model is limited to 45 km/h (28 mph) meaning that 16 years old can technically drive this. However, if this thought terrifies you, the L7e model reaches a speed of 75 km/h (46 mph) so only full license holders may only drive this version, it can at least can keep up with traffic, and comes as an optional 4-seater.
Battery
The L6E model comes with a 7.68 kWh battery for 130 km (80 miles) of range, whereas the L7e version gets a 10 kWh battery for 150 km (93 miles) of range. This represents a doubling of range over the Citroen AMI, but importantly adds more flexibility with driving speeds and the option of a second row of seats.
Charging takes 3 hours.
Equipment: ABS, EBD, EPS, and HAC systems are standard, along with a parking camera. There’s an instrumentation display as well as a 10-inch multimedia touchscreen.
BONTU BTE05
Dimensions & Options
3,000 mm long
1,500 mm wide
1,630 mm high
1,953 mm wheelbase
Available as a 2-seater and 4-seater
Battery & Range
There are two battery versions, a 13.9 kWh or 18.1 kWh capacity, with a range of 170 or 222 km (105 miles or 137 miles) respectively. A 30-80% AC charge takes 6 hours, which is not ideal.
Maximum speed is 90 km/h (56 mph) and it comes with a Sports and Eco mode, with the former perhaps being ambitiously labelled.
Equipment
The BONTU BTE05 gets a Regenerative Braking System (RBS), Electric Power Steering (EPS), ABS, EBD/CBD, Air Conditioning, Driver Air Bag, Hill Start Assist (HAS), Rear Camera, and Parking Sensors.
Theres a 7-inch instrumentation display, and a 12-inch central touch screen.
MINI COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RANGE
BONTU BTE03
Dimensions & Options
3,564 mm long
1,220 mm wide
1,980 mm high
2,200 mm wheelbase
340 kg load capacity
The BTE03 mini commercial vehicle is available in multiple configurations with different configurations altering the dimensions, such as length, load capacity, and power, if choosing between cargo and pickup, format for example. The Cargo models have double rear doors and an optional side door.
Maximum speed is 81 km/h (50 mph).
Battery:
The BTE03 has a 8.35 kWh battery, with a range of 80-100 km (50 - 62 miles) and a charging time up to 80% of 90 minutes. Full charging time is 3 hours.
Equipment:
The vehicles have the following equipment: ABS, EBD, Air Conditioning, Regenerative Braking System (RBS), electric power steering, cruise control, radar sensors.
Summary
With the BONTU range fully homologated according to EU Regulation 168/2013, these could find their way into the U.K. bringing electric transportation for the cost conscious.
These quadricycle electric vehicles may just hit he sweet spot for family life, whether it’s to pootle to the shops, commute, run errands, or to radically cut running costs, these will invariably suit some. But, the selling point for the BONTU range is that it offers greater flexibility over the Citroen AMI with different battery options, a 4-seater option and a higher top speed on the posh models.
For companies looking to ferry their goods around town, between sites, used at a film studios, or within a large complex, the BTE03 cargo might be the perfect fit for extreme low cost carrying capacity. Perfectly suited for ACME livery on the side, too.
The good news is, that whilst electric cars exist like the Rolls Royce Spectre and Ferrari Luce at the top end, there is now real choice right at the entry level point.
The warranty is 3 years or 50,000 km.
Author
Graeme Cobb is a car enthusiast who loves writing about cars, EVs and the automotive industry. 100% Amateur.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb