EMC to Launch Three Dacia-Based EVs This June in the U.S.

Envision Motor Company (EMC) plans to start selling a complete Dacia-based range of all-electric vehicles this June at a number of dealerships around the country. EMC's three EVs are a seven-passenger wagon, an utility van and a small pickup truck.

Based on the Romanian-built Dacia Logan range, all three electric vehicles will be priced at below USD30,000 each, since they qualify for the USD7,500 tax credit on battery-powered cars as well as state incentives, sales tax waivers and credit. Even so, the EMC EVs cost more than double as compared to the European combustion engine version, which retails for about USD13,500.

The EMC-branded trio of EVs will make their American debut on a test-drive tour that is scheduled for the month of May. The all-electric vehicles are powered by an AC motor, paired with a 24 kWh sodium nickel chloride battery. Envision Motor Company claims that the EVs will have a maximum speed of more than 75 mph and a range of 200 miles. The cars are fitted with on-board chargers compatible with 110 V household circuit and the battery’s fully charging takes between 6 to 8 hours. All three model types are assembled in Europe and shipped to the U.S. EMC offers for all models a 3 year/36,000 mile nationwide warranty and a battery warranty of 100,000 miles.

The cars have already undergone and passed FMVSS 305 standard crash-testing (NHTSA’s crash-tests for EVs) and are specced with standard equipment like power steering, ABS, power locks and windows. Distribution will be done by EVCARCO and Gabus Automotive Distributors, with specific dealership locations to be announced soon.