Turns out it was the design and prototype centre for EDI Automotive Technology Co., LTD, a Chinese company that is specialised in designing and manufacturing electric vehicles. According to their website, EDI stands for 'Electric Dynamic Innovation'. I happened to be in the vicinity of this centre in the Pudong region of Shanghai recently, and was able to go for a visit. The garage door was open, and upon arrival my eyes instantly fell to the T300C, the production model of EDI's first electric vehicle.
- Top speed of 80 km/h
- Autonomy per charge of 140 km
- 6 hour charging time with onboard charger
- 19 hp / 14 kW of power with a torque rating of 83 N-m.
A few modern touches, like electronic gauges (instead of traditional dials), a dial for selecting forward or reverse, and a stereo with MP3 and SD capabilities, will help this car appeal to technology junkies. While there is no storage inside the vehicle, two 'saddlebag' cases are built in to either side of the rear, which shows that the T300C isn't afraid to embrace the motorcycle half of its persona.
While I did not get to test drive the T300C this time, I made it clear to the friendly management of EDI that I would love the chance at their next event. They promised to keep in touch, and I will hold them to it. And in a strange coincidence, I happened to see M. Wang on my train to work this morning, which happens to be in the opposite direction of where EDI is located (and over 100 kms away)! We only had a moment to chat before I got off the train, but it was a nice surprise. In a city of more than 23 million people, a random encounter is surprising to say the least, especially with someone I just met. It is clear that M. Wang is out and about, doing his best to get some attention for his new product. I now hope that I will soon be stumbling across his cool sporty electric 2-seater too!
All in all, an Exciting Day Indeed with EDI! I'd be curious to know if anyone else finds these modern, alternative electric vehicles as interesting as I do. Do you think we'll be seeing more of them on the roads soon, in China, the US, Europe, or elsewhere?