JAC E30X at a glance
This is how powerful the affordable city electric car from China is
Chinese brand JAC is looking to make a big splash with a small city electric car. The E30X City costs less than 17,000 Swiss francs and has a range of just under 300 kilometers. It's almost impossible to find a cheaper electric car with more features. STREETLIFE's quick check aims to show whether the JAC is good value or cheap.
Paparazzi factor: 5 out of 5
The little city electric car from JAC rolls along cutely. The round front lights in particular give the E30X a "cute" factor – and are reminiscent of other cult models such as the VW Beetle or Mini Cooper. This is a big step forward for Chinese car manufacturers. The fact that the E30X was developed by JAC Italy suggests that the brand recognized where Chinese cars needed to catch up. In earlier models from China, design either seemed to play no role at all or was far too playful to appeal to European customers.
The design progress continues in the interior. A simple steering wheel with easy controls. Simple plastic that doesn't look cheap, two-tone comfortable seats, and, as a highlight, a chic decorative strip across the entire width of the cockpit below the touchscreen. Instead of just using black piano lacquer, which is already seen enough in European vehicles, JAC has opted for a diamond pattern. This gives the trim strip the look of a black diamond, which immediately looks a touch more stylish.
Harassen factor: 4 out of 5
The 4.025-meter-long China-Stromer is a small car and is therefore not ideal for trips to the furniture store. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't have any space. With a loading capacity of 310 liters, the trunk is well within the average range for small cars—and nobody buying a city runabout expects much more than that.
Where JAC could still catch up: Today, many small cars already have a second trunk floor. This has two advantages: First, when the seats are folded down, there is a flat loading area without a step at the height of the seat back. And second, the charging cable (or, in the JAC, the practical cable bag) can be stowed under the second floor, making the trunk look tidier.
The JAC offers passengers a generous sense of space, whether in the front passenger seat or in the rear.
Nerd factor: 3 out of 5
In the E30X City, you are not patronized by the EU. Because it has Swiss registration, it does not need a speed and attention warning system like all cars with EU registration. This means that there is no constant beeping in the JAC when the wrong speed is detected or when you glance at the navigation system.
The navigation system provides a great overview because the touchscreen is very large for a small car. Only the distance to the screen is a little far, and people with slightly shorter arms have to stretch to operate it. Except for a home button to return from Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in particular, the multimedia system leaves nothing to be desired. The temperature control is clever: it can be made warmer or colder using the buttons on the left of the steering wheel – provided that cruise control is not activated. In that case, these buttons are used to set the speed.
Monza factor: 3 out of 5
The JAC's performance figures are modest. 136 hp and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds don't exactly get the blood pumping. But more power and more aggressive acceleration wouldn't suit the cute design either. It promises a sensible car, and that's exactly how the E30X drives—with common sense.
And yet the City-Stromer knows how to surprise and can leave others behind, especially in the city. With its short wheelbase, direct steering, and small turning circle, the JAC nimbly navigates every street corner.
Planet rescue factor: 5 out of 5
While other manufacturers offer a sport version of a small car, JAC has opted for practicality with the E30X. City is the eco version of this agile electric car. It has a smaller battery, which reduces its range by just under 80 kilometers. According to the manufacturer's specifications, the E30X City can travel 293 kilometers on its 41 kWh battery. In STREETLIFE's quick check, the JAC achieved a test range of 209 kilometers. That means just under 28 percent more consumption, which is within the normal range for electric cars in winter. Not to mention that 209 kilometers is still plenty to drive around Swiss cities.
Check balance: 4 out of 5
The JAC E30X City offers electric mobility at a bargain price. The four-meter-long electric car from China costs just 16,989 Swiss francs. Even cheaper gasoline cars are hard to find these days. And anyone who thinks that you have to compromise on quality because of the price or origin is mistaken. The E30X leaves nothing to be desired: a range suitable for everyday use, class-standard space, and a state-of-the-art multimedia system. And all this comes in a bold design in the JAC E30X.
