Chery Unveils Its First All-Electric Pickup, the Himla EV

Chery Automobile has officially entered the electric pickup market with the launch of its Himla EV—known domestically as the Rely R08. The truck, available in six variants, is priced between 127,800 and 158,800 yuan (approximately $18,300–22,700), marking Chery’s first fully electric pickup under its Rely brand.

Built on a traditional body-on-frame chassis, the Himla EV is offered in both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations. The move signals Chery’s intention to combine durability and work capability with modern electric performance.

The truck’s design is assertive yet practical. A large, polygonal front grille with black honeycomb detailing dominates the fascia, while the RELY badge sits prominently along the upper hood, asserting the vehicle’s identity without excess ornamentation.

Chery offers the Himla EV in standard- and long-bed versions. The standard model measures 5,330 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,890 mm in height, with a cargo bed 1,530 mm long. The long-bed variant stretches overall length to 5,610 mm, extending the cargo space to 1,810 mm. Both versions maintain a bed width of 1,620 mm and a height of 515 mm.

The interior leans toward a more premium feel than typically expected in this segment. Depending on trim, the cabin features a floating central touchscreen of either 12.3 or 15.6 inches, paired with a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. A light brown and black color palette, accentuated by chrome detailing, gives the interior a refined aesthetic.

In terms of advanced tech, the higher trims include Level 2 driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The infotainment system runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 chip, underscoring Chery’s focus on intelligent features.

Performance varies by configuration. The single-motor rear-wheel-drive model produces 150 kW (201 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, reaching 0–100 km/h in 8.8 seconds. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant doubles the output to 300 kW (402 hp) and 540 Nm, achieving the same sprint in just five seconds. Battery options include 66.54 kWh and 88 kWh packs, delivering ranges of 405 km, 505 km, or 510 km depending on the configuration.

The Himla EV enters China’s growing electric pickup segment, following early models from Geely’s Radar Auto (Riddara in global markets). Launched in April 2025, Rely Auto is Chery’s dedicated pickup brand, with ambitions to become a global benchmark for affordable, intelligent electric pickups.

The name “Rely” derives from the brand’s guiding principles: Rebuild, Explore, Link, and Yield. For international markets, the pickups are sold under the Himla name.