To quote the press release provided by Enviro Automotive, where CEO Gideon Wolfaardt stated, “The ICE Age is over with the arrival of the new Riddara RD6”. The rather bold, perhaps overly ambitious local distributor of Geely sub-brand Riddara, Enivro Automotive, seems to think an all-electric bakkie has what it takes to make a meaningful impact on a market seemingly obsessed with bakkies. Let's have a look at the details surrounding the new model.
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Performance and drivetrain
At its launch, the 4x2 RD6 will feature a 73kWh battery with a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, providing a claimed range of up to 424km on a single charge. The 4x4 model features a dual-motor set-up, with 315kW/ 595Nm, allowing for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 190km/h.
The RD6 offers a 1-ton payload, a 1200-litre load bay, and an additional 118 litres of extra storage (70 litres in the trunk and 48 litres within the cabin). The braked towing capacity is 3000kg, making it a solid choice for work and recreational use. We look forward to testing the claims and determining how capable the RD6 is when heading off of the beaten path.
Charging
Using a 110kW charger, the battery can allegedly be recharged in 30 minutes. The 73kWh battery doubles as a solution for powering site equipment or household appliances during loadshedding, with a discharge capacity of up to 6kW.
Warranty
The 4x2 and 4x4 models have a 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty and an 8-year/200 000 km battery warranty. Additionally, Enviro Automotive plans to offer remote vehicle and battery monitoring services through Webfleet.
Local Availability
Enviro Automotive plans to launch an extended-range 86kWh 4x4 model and a more compact 63kWh 4x2 model shortly. The RD6 will reach South African roads in May 2025, and pricing will be revealed closer to the time. Stay tuned for our first drive review and pricing updates as the story develops.
