Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Tesla, beware: Renault Samsung wants to make the world’s first electric light commercial car

Published May 18th, 2016 6:50AM EDT
Renault Samsung Electric Light Commercial Car

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

Tesla may be the leading electric car manufacturer right now, but competition is only increasing. Renault Samsung Motors just threw its hat into the ring, announcing that it plans to make the world’s first electric light vehicle.

DON’T MISS: Super fast internet speeds are coming this year… through your regular phone lines

According to Business Korea, Renault Samsung wants to develop a 1-ton electric light commercial vehicle that can travel more than 250 kilometers (155 miles) on a single charge. Comparatively, Tesla’s Model 3 car will get you 346 kilometers (215 miles) on a charge, but Tesla is a passenger vehicle. Renault is making an electric truck that would transport freight.

“Until now, the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV components has been focused on mainly passenger cars,” a Renault Samsung official said. “However, commercial vehicles have been considered the next-generation EV market as they are limited to operation purposes, including driving distance per day and freight transportation. In particular, electric commercial vehicles are emerging as a potential alternative which can solve air pollution problems caused by older commercial cars running cities.”

It’ll take up to four years to develop the car, with Renault Samsung looking to partner up with various companies to develop it. At this time, there aren’t any details about the commercial electric truck Renault wants to create.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.