North Korea claims its own EV brand with improbable 720km range – The Korea Herald

Notably, a segment of the organization, the Madusan Electric Vehicle Technology Exchange, is allegedly “importing and selling electric vehicles in collaboration with leading overseas electric vehicle manufacturers and service companies.” The video showcases a North Korean, Madusan-branded electric car model driving in the rain, claiming a maximum range of 720 kilometers per charge. For comparison, by Korean certification standards, the Tesla Model X has a range between 439 to 478 kilometers, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 ranges from 367 to 524 kilometers, and the Kia EV6 has a range of 461 to 494 kilometers per charge. These claims have been met with skepticism due to the disparity between the reported range of the Madusan EV and that of established global EV manufacturers like Tesla and Hyundai. Additionally, the design of the Madusan EV, featuring elements like a front grille typically unnecessary for electric vehicles, further casts doubt on its authenticity and performance. Even if North Korea is simply importing and rebranding Chinese electric vehicles, there is currently no known Chinese EV in the market with an official range exceeding 700 kilometers. The name Madusan does not correspond to any known location in the Korean peninsula or individual and appears to function as a brand name representing various entities related to North Korea’s economic and industrial activities. The video seems intended to position Madusan Economic Federation as a significant player in North Korea’s drive towards technological and economic advancement, despite the lack of independent verification of their claims.