New Changan Deepal L07 Lahore To Islamabad in a Single charge?
Deepal L07 Range Test: We drove this Deepal L07 Sedan 4-Door EV from Lahore to Islamabad with a fully charged 100%. It is a collaborative effort between Changan as the automaker, Huawei for the OS, and CATL for the batteries. It promises impressive electric vehicle (EV) features, such as a claimed range of 540 km according to the NEDC standard, but we decided to put it to the test. Join us to make your decisions. Will it go from Lahore to Islamabad in 1 charge for (411 km)? or not? Let’s find out.
Key Features
- 6-inch Sunflower Screen: Gesture-controlled display powered by Snapdragon processor; controls almost all vehicle functions (side mirrors, AC, seat heating/ventilation).
- Charging: The 66.6 kWh battery charges in 9 hours, the AC home charger (7kWh) charges in ~35 minutes, and the DC fast charger charges 0-80% in 35 minutes.
- Driving Modes: ECO, Comfort, and Sport.
- Performance: 260 HP, 320 Nm torque, single-motor rear-wheel drive.
- Safety Features: It has six airbags, ABS, EBD, hill-start assist, lane-change warnings, adaptive cruise control, and more.
- Interior Design: It is made with Premium materials, leather and Alcantara upholstery, spacious rear legroom, 360-degree cameras, memory seats, and adjustable seats.
- Exterior Design: Sporty, with petal-style headlights, dynamic bumper design, motorized door handles, 19-inch alloy rims.
Real-World Range Test Lahore to Islamabad
- Starting Point: The car starts at 100% charge and has a range of 540 km according to NEDC standards.
- Route: Suneel drives from Lahore to Islamabad (411 km), monitoring the battery consumption, speed, and driving conditions in real-time.
- Consumption: Early in the journey, the average energy consumption was 12.6 kWh per 100 km. The range slowly decreased as we approached the motorway and salt range.
- Speed Mode: The car was set to ECO mode to conserve battery while maintaining a steady speed of 120 km/h on highways. At this rate, we saw a range of 354 km left after covering 139.7 km.
Charging and Energy Consumption
- Charging on the Go: A quick stop at Bhera to recharge the battery as the car nears the 0% mark. From 14% to 57% in just 10-11 minutes at a 180-watt charger.
- Lahore to Islamabad Cost: Lahore to Islamabad, the overall cost is Rs. 7,862 for a full charge.
Driving Performance & Comfort
- Suspension: Despite the heavy battery, the suspension system feels nimble and handles potholes with ease. The car is relatively light and provides a smooth ride.
- Interior Comfort: The leather-wrapped seats have good lumbar support. The glass roof provides a spacious feel, though the lack of shading could make it uncomfortable in the summer.
- Noise and Vibration: The car’s low cabin noise and musical alerts when driving under 25 km/h make it pedestrian-friendly.
- Handling: The car performs well on highways, with adaptive cruise control that adjusts speed based on traffic conditions, but there’s a slight lag when navigating curves.
Battery & Range Performance
- Battery Use: The 66.6 kWh battery can give a range of around 540 km on the NEDC standard but drops to 468 km when tested under the more stringent WLTP standard.
- Final Range on Test: After covering a total distance of 357 km, the car’s battery level dropped to 0%. The final average of the vehicle was 17.9Kwh/100 kilometers.
Verdict
The Deepal L07 EV stands out as an innovative and futuristic EV with strong collaboration from Changan, Huawei, and CATL. While it offers a decent range for city commutes, the real-world range test showed the need for periodic stops for recharging, especially on long journeys.
- Pricing: Priced at PKR 1.49 Crore, this EV offers an entry-level luxury experience but might require some adjustments for long trips without charging stops.
- Competitors: The Deepal L07 competes with GWM ORA and MG ZS EV and offers impressive tech, including Sony sound systems and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). In the future, BYD Seal might emerge as a stronger competitor in the EV market.
For those looking for a high-tech, eco-friendly, and comfortable electric sedan for daily driving, the Deepal L07 is a solid choice. However, long-distance travelers should consider the potential for recharging during journeys.
Charging Costs
- City Driving: At-home charger costs 12 PKR per km.
- Highway Driving: 13 PKR per km.
- Industrial Charger: 16-17 PKR per km.
After-Sales & Warranty
- Warranty: 8 years, 240,000 km.
- Dealer Network: Changan offers the largest EV after-sales dealer network in Pakistan, with 18 dealerships across 17 cities.