Chery serves up dinner with a car that powers the kitchen
JOHANNESBURG — A car launch usually involves a presentation, a test drive and lunch prepared by someone else. Chery changed that arrangement for its new electric Q in South Africa, putting guests to work on a three-course meal with the vehicles supplying electricity for the cooking appliances. The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands event demonstrated a feature that gives the compact EV a use beyond transporting its occupants.
The Q’s vehicle-to-load system allows its battery to supply power to external equipment. Chery says the system delivers up to 6.6 kW, and launch participants plugged in appliances including blenders, microwaves and air fryers. Five teams took part, sourcing ingredients locally before preparing dishes for a panel that included South African chef Peter Goffe-Wood.
For motorists, the appeal is easy to picture. A camping trip could involve powering cooking equipment without a separate generator, while compatible tools or appliances could draw electricity from the parked vehicle. The practical limits would depend on the equipment connected, its power demand and the battery charge the driver needs to retain for the journey home.
Chery has priced the Q Comfort from R349,900 and the Elite from R389,900. The vehicle uses a 90 kW electric motor and a 42.7 kWh battery, with an advertised range of up to 400 km on the NEDC test cycle. That figure is a laboratory measurement and should not be treated as a promise of the distance every owner will achieve in South African conditions.
The cooking challenge provides an accessible introduction to the technology, although a launch demonstration cannot establish everyday ownership costs or performance. A useful assessment would measure driving consumption, charging times and the battery energy used by external appliances under clearly recorded conditions. Starting charge, appliance load and operating time would all influence the result.
South African buyers also need to consider their charging arrangements. Access to convenient charging at home or work will shape how comfortably an EV fits into a household’s routine. Buyers comparing the Q with a petrol vehicle should account for any charging installation required and assess costs against their own travel patterns.
The Q enters a market in which Chery is already expanding its presence. The company reported 2,763 passenger-vehicle sales in August, placing it fourth in South Africa’s passenger-car market that month. It has also outlined plans to broaden its electrified offering and invest further in local dealer and customer-support operations.
The external power function gives the Q a distinctive way to introduce electric motoring to customers who may be considering it for the first time. Its value will ultimately depend on how well the vehicle balances those additional uses with the everyday requirements of driving, charging and dependable support. The launch has supplied an engaging demonstration; independent testing would establish how that translates into ownership.
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