Quick Takeaways
- Rely R08 EV electric pickup enters China’s EV truck segment with aggressive pricing.
- Chery expands its new energy pickup portfolio amid growing but niche market demand.
The Rely R08 EV electric pickup has officially entered the Chinese market as the first pure-electric pickup from Rely Auto, a pickup-focused brand under Chery Holding Group. Positioned as a value-driven electric truck, the model launches with a starting price of RMB 127,800 ($18,370), extending up to RMB 158,800.
Pickups remain a niche category in China due to usage restrictions in urban areas, yet interest in electrified trucks is accelerating. The launch places Rely among a small group of domestic brands testing demand for electric pickups, following earlier moves by Geely and BYD.
Rely R08 EV Electric Pickup: Size, Powertrain, and Performance
The R08 EV is a full-size pickup by Chinese standards, designed to balance work capability with electric efficiency. It is offered in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, catering to varied use cases and performance needs.
Key dimensions and powertrain options are outlined below:
Battery choices differ by drivetrain. The rear-wheel-drive version uses either a 66.54-kWh or 88-kWh pack, delivering ranges of 405 km and 510 km respectively. The all-wheel-drive variant pairs with an 88-kWh battery, offering a claimed range of 505 km.
Technology, Brand Strategy, and Market Context
The electric pickup supports Level 2 driver assistance features and uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip to power its in-vehicle cockpit system, aligning it with mainstream intelligent EV expectations in China.
Rely Auto was launched by Chery on April 20, 2025, with the goal of becoming a global benchmark for value-focused new energy and intelligent pickups. The brand name reflects the concepts of Rebuild, Explore, Link, and Yield. In overseas markets, Chery markets its pickup lineup under the Himla name.
Chery has stated that Rely will introduce one new product every year over the next four years. The gasoline-powered R08 was launched in September last year with a starting price of RMB 88,800, creating a clear price and technology ladder within the lineup.
Competitive Landscape and Pickup Market Trends
Rely represents one of the few dedicated pickup brands in China. Geely introduced its Radar brand and the RD6 model in 2022, while BYD launched the Shark hybrid pickup in Mexico in May 2024, with plans to eventually bring it to China.
Despite policy constraints, the segment is showing signs of momentum. In 2025, China sold 589,000 pickup trucks, up 11.8% year-on-year. New energy pickup sales reached 73,000 units, surging 243%, compared with total passenger vehicle retail sales of 23.74 million units and new energy vehicle sales of 12.81 million units. Against this backdrop, the Rely R08 EV electric pickup positions Chery to capture early growth as electrification gradually reshapes China’s pickup market.
Pickups remain a niche category in China due to usage restrictions in urban areas, yet interest in electrified trucks is accelerating. The launch places Rely among a small group of domestic brands testing demand for electric pickups, following earlier moves by Geely and BYD.
Rely R08 EV Electric Pickup: Size, Powertrain, and Performance
The R08 EV is a full-size pickup by Chinese standards, designed to balance work capability with electric efficiency. It is offered in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, catering to varied use cases and performance needs.
Key dimensions and powertrain options are outlined below:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 5,330 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,890 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,230 mm |
| RWD Motor Output | 150 kW, 350 Nm |
| AWD System Output | 300 kW, 540 Nm |
Battery choices differ by drivetrain. The rear-wheel-drive version uses either a 66.54-kWh or 88-kWh pack, delivering ranges of 405 km and 510 km respectively. The all-wheel-drive variant pairs with an 88-kWh battery, offering a claimed range of 505 km.
Technology, Brand Strategy, and Market Context
The electric pickup supports Level 2 driver assistance features and uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip to power its in-vehicle cockpit system, aligning it with mainstream intelligent EV expectations in China.
Rely Auto was launched by Chery on April 20, 2025, with the goal of becoming a global benchmark for value-focused new energy and intelligent pickups. The brand name reflects the concepts of Rebuild, Explore, Link, and Yield. In overseas markets, Chery markets its pickup lineup under the Himla name.
Chery has stated that Rely will introduce one new product every year over the next four years. The gasoline-powered R08 was launched in September last year with a starting price of RMB 88,800, creating a clear price and technology ladder within the lineup.
Competitive Landscape and Pickup Market Trends
Rely represents one of the few dedicated pickup brands in China. Geely introduced its Radar brand and the RD6 model in 2022, while BYD launched the Shark hybrid pickup in Mexico in May 2024, with plans to eventually bring it to China.
Despite policy constraints, the segment is showing signs of momentum. In 2025, China sold 589,000 pickup trucks, up 11.8% year-on-year. New energy pickup sales reached 73,000 units, surging 243%, compared with total passenger vehicle retail sales of 23.74 million units and new energy vehicle sales of 12.81 million units. Against this backdrop, the Rely R08 EV electric pickup positions Chery to capture early growth as electrification gradually reshapes China’s pickup market.
Company Press Release
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