Dongfeng EV30

Dongfeng has given the Dongfeng EV30 a very basic visual appeal in its cabin too, with the interior having an all-grey theme with basic black touches on the door panels and centre console. The cabin feels very old-school and plain, and the fit and finish levels are also not too impressive.

The Dongfeng EV30 has a simple and functional four-spoke steering wheel, which has a dual-pod analogue instrument console behind it. The centre console, which flows downwards in a curved manner, houses rectangular AC vents at the top. The middle part of the centre console is finished in a blacked-out theme and accommodates a 2-DIN audio system and manual controls for the AC.

The rest of the dashboard is finished in cheap-looking grey plastic, with corners having wraparound black surrounds for the AC vents. Dongfeng has given the EV30 some basics like power steering, power windows, door map pockets and cup holders in the lower centre console.

The appearance of the Dongfeng EV30 is that of a traditional van, with it having a boxy design and tapered front end. The overall design of the Dongfeng EV30 is very functional and stays true to its purpose while being easy on the eyes.

The Dongfeng EV30 has a raked windscreen and angular bonnet, the latter of which slopes towards the front fascia. Here in the middle of the fascia, the EV30 panel van has a silver-coloured strip running between the headlamps and a closed grille below it, which is designed in a mesh theme and is shaped in a trapezoidal form. The trapezoidal headlamps on the corners of the fascia are all-halogen units, while the lower part of the front bumper has a wide black housing stretching across its width, while housing fog lamps with chrome strips below them.

The boxy appeal of the Dongfeng EV30 continues on the sides too, with the van having closed window panels and very basic-looking blacked-out door handles and rearview mirrors. The Dongfeng EV30 rides on small 14-inch steel wheels, which miss out on wheel caps here, though the wheel arches have a slightly flared design to add some character to the otherwise plain-looking side profile. The rear profile of the Dongfeng EV30 is almost bland with not much to talk about since the panel here has a closed design, with slim and vertical tail lamps placed on the sides, with the doors opening sideways.

Like the overall styling, the mechanical setup of the Dongfeng EV30 under the skin is also pretty basic and functional. The electric panel van comes with a suspension combination of independent Macpherson struts at the front and leaf springs at the rear, while the van rides on 14-inch tyres. The driving dynamics are neither engaging nor planted at higher speeds, but the load-carrying capacity is quite okay.

The Dongfeng EV30 comes solely with a front-mounted 70kW permanent magnet synchronous motor, which develops 95 PS of maximum power and 230 Nm of maximum torque while being able to attain a top speed of 90 kmph. The battery pack on offer in the Dongfeng EV30 is a 41.86kWh lithium-ion battery, which it shares with the Dongfeng EC36 entry-level passenger van, which here claims a maximum driving range of 220 km. A 1-speed automatic transmission is offered as standard.

The Dongfeng EV30 is very basic and spartan when it comes to safety, with the electric panel van getting a driver-side airbag and ABS with EBD.

While the Dongfeng EV30 is not very impressive when it comes to visual appeal or driving dynamics, it comes across as a pocket-friendly option for transporting goods from one place to another, with its cost-effective all-electric powertrain.