A major controversy has erupted within the Chinese language automotive world following a blogger’s check difficult the official aerodynamic drag coefficient (Cd) claimed by EV producer Avatr for its Avatr 12 mannequin. The dispute highlights the significance of verified efficiency metrics within the aggressive electrical car market.
Automotive blogger “苏黎世贝勒爷” (Zurich Bei Le Ye, with greater than 1 million followers on Chinese language social media Weibo) carried out an impartial check of a Chinese language EV, later recognized by netizens because the Avatr 12, on the Tianjin China Automotive Expertise and Analysis Centre (CATARC) wind tunnel. The blogger said that the check adopted the CSAE 146-2020 customary and was carried out by skilled technicians.
In response to the blogger’s findings, the car recorded a drag coefficient of 0.28 Cd at 120 km/h. This determine is considerably greater than Avatr’s formally claimed 0.21 Cd, representing a distinction of over 30%. The blogger famous this consequence was akin to the drag coefficient of a 20-year-old gasoline automotive just like the Passat B5. The blogger additionally claimed that the testing facility didn’t present a proper report after the check day, suggesting potential intervention by the model. A video detailing the check was reportedly taken down.
Avatr has vehemently denied the blogger’s claims. The corporate’s authorized division issued a press release calling the knowledge “utterly false”. It introduced a 5 million yuan (694,400 USD) reward for clues relating to alleged “black PR” (unethical or unlawful techniques used to break the popularity of rivals or promote one’s merchandise via misleading means) actions. Avatr additionally declared its intention to conduct a public check of a manufacturing model of the Avatr 12 in an authoritative wind tunnel, scheduled in line with nationwide company availability, to deal with the problem definitively.
Avatr executives have additionally weighed in. Avatr Expertise Vice President Yong Jun said that the blogger had deliberate to check the Avatr 12 final 12 months however refused the corporate’s supply to help, elevating questions concerning the professionalism of the check circumstances. Avatr President Chen Zhuo defended the developments in Chinese language automotive design and expertise, significantly the aerodynamic options of the Avatr 12, reminiscent of digital aspect mirrors, lively grille shutters, and a totally enclosed underbody, questioning the comparability to a two-decade-old gasoline automotive.
The blogger has challenged Avatr to supply their authentic 0.21 Cd check report and permit him to witness the deliberate public check. In response to the blogger, Avatr failed to offer the related check studies and deleted its promotional supplies relating to the 0.21 drag coefficient from the web.
The drag coefficient is a vital metric for electrical autos, impacting vitality consumption and driving vary, particularly at greater speeds. Lowering simply 0.01 Cd can doubtlessly enhance vary by roughly 10 kilometres at 120 km/h. The numerous discrepancy reported by the blogger is way past the everyday measurement variations anticipated between main wind tunnels.
The controversy has sparked widespread dialogue on-line, with many calling for a clear, third-party check utilizing a randomly chosen manufacturing car to settle the dispute.
