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New commercial vehicle brand in Austria
A new commercial vehicle brand is entering the Austrian market. It comes from Germany, but has Chinese roots and is made in the Czech Republic.
New commercial vehicle brand in Austria
ARI Motors is the name of the company that is based south of Leipzig and sells electric vehicles. ARI Motors GmbH has been offering smart and affordable electric vehicles on the German market since 2017, and the electric vehicles are now also available in Austria through direct sales.
With the model 901, a large electric transporter is now rolling onto the market, which has a choice of different bodies. The platform, tipper and box body variants are each available in three sizes. The maximum loading area is 5 m², the maximum loading volume is more than 7.5 m³, and the box body can also be equipped with a cooling unit. There is also a panel van variant available. “This means that in Germany and Austria there is finally a flexible e-transporter for every need – whether in a company or for municipal use,” says ARI co-founder Thomas Kuwatsch.
Of course, there is Far Eastern technology behind ARI Motors: The vehicles are based on the platforms of the Chinese manufacturers Karry and Jiayuan EV. ARI Motors is expanding this basis in the company's own factory in Ricany near Prague. The brand name ARI is derived from the Japanese name for ant - which in turn is known for its performance.
900 kg payload for less than 20,000 euros
In any case, the 901 presents itself as quite effective and affordable. Because the ARI 901 can be loaded with an impressive 900 kilograms. This means it can join in with the larger transporters. The purchase price for the basic version is still just under 30,000 euros (without subsidy deductions). Each kilo of payload costs just 33 euros! “Most vans with a similar payload are offered for around 50,000 euros and are in the same league as the ARI 901 in terms of range,” says Kuwatsch. In addition, the purchase in Austria is subsidized with 12,500 euros, and in Tyrol and Salzburg a subsidy of up to 23,000 euros is possible.
The vehicle is powered by a 60 kW electric motor. At its peak, the transporter travels at 100 km/h. The 40 kWh lithium-ion battery carries the 901 up to 260 kilometers, as determined in more than 15,000 test kilometers. The charging time of 6-8 hours via a Type 2 plug can be reduced by half thanks to a CCS fast charging function. A particularly nice accessory: a solar panel provides an additional 70 kilometers of range when the sun is optimal. The delivery time is 4-14 weeks depending on the body type and special equipment.