
60km/h constant speed maximum range is 410km. Range level: The Chery Ant uses a ternary lithium battery provided by CATL, which has many advantages such as high energy density, low life decay, and high charging efficiency. Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology gives the Chery Ant a pure electric range of 301Km. Although the paper data does not look very impressive, it is believed to be completely sufficient for urban commuting. Space performance: The dimensions of the Chery Ant are 3200×1670×1550mm, with a wheelbase of 2150. It does look very small, but as a three-door, two-seater microcar, this level is considered medium to large in its class. Moreover, it is larger than the Smart Fortwo. Other notes: As the third pure electric microcar under Chery, the Chery Ant eQ1 has attracted a lot of attention since its launch in 2018.

Driving the Little Ant 400 for commuting, I have to say the actual range isn't fixed. The official claimed 400 kilometers is under ideal conditions, like steady driving without traffic jams or air conditioning. For my daily city commute with frequent stops at red lights, the actual range is about 300-320 kilometers. Driving faster on highways with higher wind resistance reduces the range to around 280 kilometers. In winter, with lower battery efficiency and the air conditioning on, it might only reach about 250 kilometers. I once managed 350 kilometers in summer by setting the AC to 26°C, accelerating gently, and anticipating traffic. Ultimately, driving habits matter a lot—sudden acceleration and braking consume too much power. It's sufficient for daily commuting, but for long trips, you need to plan charging stops to avoid getting stranded midway.

From a technical perspective, the actual range of the Little Ant 400 primarily depends on battery load and environmental factors. The official 400 km range is based on the NEDC test cycle, but in reality, current loss varies with temperature. For example, at -5°C, battery efficiency drops by 20%, reducing the range to around 250 km. Under normal driving conditions in urban and mixed road environments, I can consistently maintain a range between 310-340 km. On highways, speeds exceeding 100 km/h increase wind resistance, raising energy consumption by 20% and shrinking the range to below 280 km. To extend the range, it's advisable to accelerate gently and minimize the use of regenerative braking. Preheating the battery before charging can be very helpful. Regularly monitor the remaining battery level via the vehicle app, and avoid draining the battery completely before charging, as this can affect its lifespan.

From a cost-saving perspective, I bought the Ant 400 for its affordability. By mastering energy-saving techniques in actual driving, I can extend its range. For daily urban commuting, I avoid using the air conditioning or only use it on low settings, anticipate traffic to reduce braking, and maintain a steady speed of around 60 km/h. My car typically needs charging only after exceeding 350 km. Even in hot summers, it's not an issue—opening the windows slightly to assist the air conditioning is the most economical. In cold winters, preheating the car for half an hour before departure ensures a range of around 300 km. This way, the electricity cost per kilometer is just a few cents, significantly cheaper than gasoline cars. The key is planning charging points well—charging once a week meets daily needs without worrying about running out of power midway.


