Chinese electric cars arrive in Baltimore
Hold on tight! The Port of Baltimore has received about 200 Chinese-manufactured electric cars capable of maximum speeds of 25 miles per hour.
Scandinavia's Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics delivered and processed the Tianjin Qingyuan Electric Vehicle Co.'s five-door hatchback vehicles, called the Miles ZX40 and the Miles ZX40S, at Baltimore's Dundalk Marine Terminal.
The cars retail at $15,000 to $17,000 plus delivery and prep charges, and will be distributed by Miles Automotive to dealerships and direct customers throughout the East and Midwest regions.
The vehicles can travel about 60 miles to 70 miles before requiring recharging and are permitted on Maryland public roads with a limited speed restriction. The anticipated market includes college campuses, retirement communities, military bases and parks departments.
The Maryland port is the exclusive U.S. East Coast port to receive these cars. 'The opportunity to import these special vehicles and also help the environment is a double win for the Port of Baltimore,' said Brooks Royster, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration. 'As environmental stewards of Maryland waterways, it is important that we continue to seek out this type of cargo and do our part to make our environment clean and safe.'
Jim Kilpatrick, director of business development for Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said: 'As the East Coast port closest to the Midwest and with very capable longshore labor, the Port of Baltimore was the right choice for this business. We are very excited to be part of the distribution chain of a product that is going to reduce emissions and benefit the environment.'