Mullen I-GO: What is this Chinese mini car for France?

The American brand puts the name Mullen I-Go on a strange small Chinese electric car aimed at Europe.

A new American car in Europe? Is it the new electric Hummer? The new Cadillac Celestiq? The Ford F-150 pickup? None of that, as it is a purchase arrangement giving rise to this curiosity: the Mullen I-Go. Let us explain.

A Car Sold Under License

Mullen Automotive is the story of an ambitious American project aiming to build premium electric vehicles, but affordable. The first vehicle, a large SUV “Five”, is on track for future commercialization in 2024 in the United States. However, this electric car had no future in France, unlike the Fisker Ocean.

The surprise was thus total when seeing the new communication mentioning a new Mullen for Europe, immediately available! The Mullen I-GO is not of home design but a partnership for “the sale and exclusive licensing distribution” in Europe, including France. In short, a reseller. The car has nothing exclusive outside the Old Continent, as it is already sold in many Asian countries: India, Thailand, Pakistan, etc.

What is this Mullen I-GO?

Measuring 3.38 meters long, this little car outperforms a Dacia Spring by 35 centimeters. It is therefore very short, and the one-meter-fifty width will make elbows draw together. To move the 795 kg mini-car Mullen, a 34 kW (45 hp) motor powers the rear wheels. As much as the Spring, but with a lighter weight.

The battery, however, is smaller, at 16.5 kWh (22 kWh for a Twingo E-Tech). The Mullen I-Go claims a range of 205 kilometers in the old NEDC cycle, less than 150 km in WLTP cycle. Not so bad compared to the 180 km of the small Renault, though it can go on highways, while the Sino-American one tops out at 100 km/h.

A great price… for professionals

Note, this car is not aimed at individual buyers but at the utility vehicle segment. Yes, it aims to meet “fast deliveries and space constraints in dense cities across Europe”.

The strength is therefore not size or performance, but the price/autonomy ratio. With a price of $11,999 before taxes, approximately €12,000 at current exchange rates. For €14,400, it’s much cheaper than a utility vehicle like Aixam e-Truck van starting at €16,666 before taxes.

Still without an official website, this Mullen I-Go electric utility vehicle should arrive in France in 2023.

Also read: Renault embarks on utility retrofit