Chery Omoda 5 EV: Mid-2024 Australian launch confirmed

October 17: Chery Omoda 5 EV to join in mid-2024

The all-electric version of the Chery Omoda 5 small SUV will launch in Australia mid next year.

Overseas, the Omoda 5 EV uses a 61kWh battery pack to provide up to 450 kilometres claimed WLTP driving range. It’s unclear whether that quoted battery size is a gross or more realistic usable (net) figure.

The Chinese-made electric SUV is capable of 110kW peak DC fast charging speeds, which takes around 30 minutes to charge from 0 to 80 per cent.

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The Omoda 5 EV is powered by a single electric motor producing 150kW and 340Nm for a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.6 seconds.

Additionally, design differences compared with the petrol-engined Omoda 5 include a smoothed-out front end, longer and more angular LED daytime running lights, restyled headlights, and more aerodynamic-looking wheels.

Pricing and features for the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV rival will be detailed nearer its local launch.

Chery re-launched in Australia earlier this year with the petrol-powered Omoda 5 wearing a sharp $32,990 drive-away starting price. The Tiggo 7 Pro medium SUV is set to join within months.

Our original story continues unchanged below.

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February 19: Omoda 5 EV coming in 2024

Chery’s Australian relaunch has been kick-started by the Omoda 5 small SUV, and we’re promised a battery-electric variant will arrive in early 2024.

Chery doesn’t offer an electric vehicle globally, so it’s hard to accurately speculate on figures. The Omoda 5 EV’s driving range wasn’t talked about either, but to make it competitive a 350-450km distance capability and a 50-65kWh battery capacity will be necessary.

As the Omoda 5 is unlikely be a long-range EV, we can expect DC fast-charging speed of around 150kW if we’re optimistic, or 80kW if we aren’t.

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Pricing is a long way from being confirmed, but to compete on level-pegging with rivals, a short-range model’s price will need to start in the mid-to-high-$40K region.

Like its MG ZS EV rival, it will sit on a converted internal-combustion engine platform – sharing the same underpinnings as the regular Omoda 5. This will make the Omoda 5 different from other, value-oriented Chinese-built EVs including the BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model 3, and forthcoming MG 4, though it does match the path taken by the Polestar 2 and GWM Ora.

Unlike rival Chinese carmaker GWM, which is investing in its own battery technology, Chery will instead purchase its batteries from an OEM supplier such as CATL.

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Ahead of the electric Omoda’s launch, the range will grow in mid-2023 with the introduction of a more powerful turbo-petrol version with AWD, and two more models – the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8.

Chery is a Chinese manufacturer which built 1.2 million cars last year and is the country’s largest vehicle exporter, selling 450,000 in global markets.

The brand was active in Australia between 2011-2014 and specialised in low-priced vehicles. South America, South Africa, and Malaysia are key markets where the brand’s Tiggo range is currently on sale.