Farizon, a subsidiary of Geely, has not yet launched in Germany, but the new commercial vehicle brand is starting in more and more European markets. The brand aims to roll out a globally alternatively powered portfolio, primarily battery-electric, but with methanol range extender drives in the truck sector, ranging from light vans to heavy trucks. Further details on market entry are expected to follow at the Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show (April 29-May 1). Recently, the Chinese company announced launches in the Czech Republic, Serbia, the UK, and Spain. Any potential overlap with the portfolio or interests of Geely's other commercial vehicle subsidiary, LEVC (London Taxi), and its ambitious van plans are not addressed by the manufacturer. It would be plausible for LEVC to focus on passenger transport and the growing luxury shuttle segment with models like the L380.
Farizon plans to start with two models in the popular segments of up to 2.8 and 3.5 tons in the midsize and large van categories, the V6E and the SV. According to a Czech press release, the V6E is a compact van with a total weight of 2.7 tons, which, despite its purely electric drive, is said to offer a payload of 1,070 kilograms and a loading volume of six cubic meters. The interior dimensions of the van are 2,800×1,730×1,320 mm (LxWxH), demonstrating good space utilization.
Rear-wheel drive in the small van, compact battery
A space-saving rear-wheel drive is also expected to contribute to this, powered by a small 42-kWh LFP battery from Chinese battery giant CATL. According to WLTP, the range is 195 kilometers and 265 kilometers in WLTP City. There is such confidence in the setup that a warranty of 300,000 kilometers and six years is granted in the Czech Republic.
The E-van is equipped with an anti-slip aluminum floor, half-height side and ceiling panels, standard 270-degree opening rear doors, a 10-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera in the cabin, a smartphone interface for data transfer, and heated as well as ventilated seats and steering wheel. In the Czech Republic, the model starts at around 29,000 euros, approximately the level of a Kia PV5 or Ford E-Transit Courier, which is indeed a statement.
Supervan comes in six body variants
The "Supervan" SV, announced as the first model to be released in 2023, is then positioned higher, acting as a classic 3.5-ton truck. It was designed by Renault Trucks designer Hervé Bertrand and is intended to be specifically tailored to European customers. In terms of safety, the manufacturer claims a top rating in the form of the EuroNCAP Platinum ranking for the vehicle. The N1 transporter is set to offer a wide range of variants in body and battery and aims to achieve the best net payload values in its class. Six versions are available (L1-L3 and H1-H3) with an exterior length of 5 to 6 meters and cargo volumes from 6.7 m³ to 13 m³. Unlike the smaller model, the Supervan features front-wheel drive. The payload is expected to range from 1,480 kg (6.7 m³) to 1,070 kg (13 m³), a high value for a fully electric vehicle.
LFP and NCM batteries
The weight is said to have been reduced through advanced battery technology (LFP and NCM) and the so-called drive-by-wire platform, which replaces conventional hydraulic and mechanical systems (such as steering, brakes, and throttle control) with electrical wires. This approach is intended to significantly reduce the number of moving parts and weight, simultaneously enhancing steering precision and overall efficiency. This is promised to result in 15 percent less energy consumption compared to a conventional design.
Five Battery Sizes to Choose From
A dense range of battery options is designed to cover a variety of applications. The spectrum ranges from 49 to 66/67 kWh, 83 kWh, and up to a long-distance suitable 106 kWh battery. This is intended to cover not only city use but also intercity traffic. According to WLTP, the range varies between 200 and 359 km depending on battery capacity, and between 262 and 551 km in the city, which when converted does not yet suggest excessive drive efficiency.
The general warranty for the SV model is 5 years or 200,000 km, while the warranty for the battery is 8 years or 200,000 km. In the interior, high quality is to be offered according to Geely's standards, along with practical design featuring numerous storage options.
Lavish Features
The features include leather seats with heating and ventilation, a heated multifunction steering wheel, and a 7-inch instrument display. The center console is equipped with a high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD smart display that supports multimedia playback, Bluetooth, smartphone connectivity, and quick vehicle function settings. Additionally, there is an AVM panoramic monitor that combines four video images into an overall view. The selling price of the vehicle with a cargo space of 6.9 m³ excluding VAT starts at just under 41,000 euros in the Czech Republic.
Last but not least, the manufacturer promises the lowest total operating costs in the competition. But new players like Kia, Flexis, or Maxus are promising the same, not to mention those already established in the electric field like Ford. In any case, the key to success is likely to be the establishment of a service and sales network.
