Cheapest electric car in Brazil has been suspended for sale; know the reason
CNN Brasil reported first-hand the start of sales of the cheapest electric car in Brazil, the now named Emova Easy. The compact, priced from R$69,990, quickly sold out the first batch of sales. But anyone who wanted to purchase the vehicle will have to wait, as E-Motors Brasil confirmed the suspension of sales of its two models in the national market.
The cars are manufactured in China by Jiangling Motors and Renault. The models were being offered with prices starting at R$69,990. However, a combination of factors significantly increased the cost of operating in the Brazilian market.
According to Mercídio Givisiez, CEO of E-Motors Brasil, the problem was the increase in logistics costs. The executive and other members of the company were recently in China to discuss news. The executive states that the value of maritime transport has increased significantly in recent months. A 40-foot container, which cost around US$1,800 at the beginning of the year, rose to approximately US$10,200, directly impacting the economic viability of importing vehicles.
JMEV EV2 Comfort: subcompact electric car is sold in Minas - Thiago Ventura/CNN
According to E-Motors, all consumers who had booked the vehicles received a full refund of the amount paid as a deposit. The decision was taken because, at the moment, there is no forecast for the arrival of the ordered units, making it unfeasible to maintain pre-sale contracts.
Initially, the Minas Gerais company intended to use Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) type ships, specifically for transporting vehicles. However, given the unavailability of this type of vessel, it was necessary to resort to transport in containers, a modality that is also facing a strong increase in demand and prices.
JMEV EV2 Comfort: subcompact electric car is sold in Minas - Thiago Ventura/CNN
In addition to the rise in freight, E-Motors points out another relevant factor: the gradual increase in the Import Tax for electric vehicles. The rate reached 35% in July 2026, further increasing the costs of nationalizing automobiles and reducing the margin to maintain initially announced prices.
Despite the suspension of sales, the company states that it has not given up on the Brazilian operation. According to Givisiez, the strategy is to wait for logistical costs to normalize before resuming imports. The company's expectation is that the international scenario will improve in the coming months, allowing it to reactivate shipments of vehicles already ordered from the Chinese manufacturer. In addition to the two hatches, the company intends to import a sedan and a compact SUV in Brazil.
JMEV EV3: Chinese electric car was transformed into a learning vehicle by E-Motors - Thiago Ventura/CNN
What is the cheapest electric car in Brazil like?
E-Motors has only one point of sale in Brazil, which is in Pedro Leopoldo, in Greater Belo Horizonte. There are two models on offer: the Emova Easy and the Emova Urban. The cars arrived with the original JMEV names, EV2 and EV3. However, Kia denounced misuse of the names, which are registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).
The Emova Easy remains the company's main bet for the entry-level electric vehicle segment. The compact hatch has a 41 hp engine, 8.6 kgfm torque and a 15.9 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 201 kilometers. Measuring 3.50 meters long and with four seats, the model was designed for predominantly urban use.
The Emova Urban occupies a higher range in the line. The five-seater hatch uses a 30.2 kWh battery, develops 68 hp of power and 12.7 kgfm of torque, with an estimated range of up to 300 kilometers and a maximum speed of 110 km/h. The price, before the suspension, was R$99,990.
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Source: CNN