The second largest local carmaker SAIPA has refitted its sedan model Saina as an electric vehicle and unveiled in on Sunday. According to company officials, the car costs twice the price of the gasoline-powered version, around 700 million rials ($16,280), SAIPA News reported. The EV is equipped with a 93-hp engine powered by a 70kw battery. The technology used in the vehicle is relatively outdated which means charging the car with “SAIPA’s supercharging system” takes 40 minutes. When charged normally, charging the batteries will take 220 minutes! Furthermore, the energy is enough only for 170-210 km. The fossil-fuel powered Saina was never successful in the local market. Given the unreasonable price plus outdated technology, the company officials have yet to explain why they took the trouble of unveiling a car that potentially has no buyers.
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