China just raised the benchmark for affordable electric pickups with the launch of the Chery Rely R08 EV, a midsize electric pickup that starts at an astonishing 127,800 yuan (about $18,300) in its home market. That price is a fraction of what we currently pay for similar electric trucks in the US, and it shifts expectations about how inexpensive an EV pickup can really be.
Chery’s R08 EV marks the automaker’s first fully electric pickup under its Rely brand. The model lineup includes six variants with differing power and equipment levels, topping out at around 158,800 yuan (roughly $22,800). The truck’s pricing undercuts virtually every mass-market electric pickup sold in the U.S. by a wide margin.
The R08’s specifications show it’s no half-baked concept. With a body-on-frame chassis and dimensions that place it in the midsize-to-full-size category, it offers multiple powertrain choices. Customers can choose between a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version with about 150 kW of power or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup with roughly 300 kW.
Depending on the battery and variant, the R08 can travel up to roughly 317 miles (510 kilometers on the CLTC cycle), a figure used in China that typically reads higher than EPA estimates in the U.S.
Inside, the R08 EV pushes ahead with features that would be considered generous even on many pricier trucks. Higher-end trims can include an infotainment system powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, a modern digital interface, and a suite of Level 2 driver-assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and automatic emergency braking.
Those are the sort of tech American pickup buyers have come to expect, but rarely at this price point.
Line up China’s new electric pickup with the current crop of American EV trucks, and the contrast is dramatic.
In the U.S., electric pickups are still largely priced for buyers with deep pockets or fleet budgets, partly explaining why America’s favorite truck in electric form had to call it quits this year. Most mainstream offerings start in the mid-$50,000 range at minimum, and many quickly climb into the $70,000 to $100,000+ territory once options and trim levels are added. For example:
These trucks bring capabilities and brand appeal that many buyers prize, including long EPA-rated ranges, towing power, broader charging networks, and in some cases cutting-edge tech. But even the most basic EV pickups in the U.S. are more than double the price of China’s R08 EV in its home market.
Part of the explanation for the R08’s low price is China’s unique EV market dynamics. Government policies, local supply chains, and the fierce competition among domestic brands have pushed battery EV prices down intensely. At the same time, China’s pickup market still remains smaller than North America’s, but electrification is accelerating quickly, with new energy pickup sales surging year-over-year.
In contrast, America’s EV pickup market is just beginning to mature. Buyers have shown interest but often balk at high sticker prices. Even with federal incentives that may trim thousands off the final cost, U.S. electric pickups remain a premium choice for now.
The Rely R08 EV’s launch does more than shake up the pricing conversation. It signals that electric trucks can be engineered and marketed at prices once thought unreachable in this vehicle class. The question is even if American automakers could, would they choose to respond with similar value-oriented models? Ford CEO says they can, and that they’re working on it.
