South Korea’s E-Mart Inc., a discount store unit of the country’s retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, has started selling mini electric vehicles to consumers.
The company said on Tuesday it expanded its M Lounge network to seven shops across the nation to sell electric bicycles and EVs.
M Lounge, a select shop for the retailer’s e-mobility lineup was first introduced at its Yeongdeungpo store last March. It now sells E-Mart’s private brand e-bike Pedelec and other brands such as Mando Footloose and Maskali, as well as Air Wheel (electric wheel) and iBoat (electric kickboard). It also opened up for pre-orders for D2, a Chinese mini EV. D2, Zhi Dou`s two-seater electric car, can run up to 150 ㎞ on a single charge.
The mini EV cleared by regulatory authorities in December is expected to be priced at 13 million to 14 million won ($13,000) once local governments’ subsidy program is on, E-Mart forecast.
E-Mart said its smart mobility revenue about doubled last year from 1 billion won in 2016.
Demand for e-bikes is poised to rise further as a local law to provide greater access to e-bikes goes into effect in March.
E-Mart aims to install M Lounge at up to 20 key stores across the country.
By Lee Han-na and Minu Kim
[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]