Arcfox T1 SUV, 4x cheaper than Tesla Model Y, grabs 27,000 orders within 12 hours of launch

Another electric SUV has taken the Chinese EV market by storm, securing thousands of orders in just a few hours. The Arcfox T1 was officially unveiled yesterday in China and is about four times less expensive than the cheapest Tesla.

The compact T1 starts at RMB 62,800 ($8,820), establishing it as one of the most affordable EVs in China. Arcfox, owned by the Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), is offering five variants, with the most expensive costing RMB 87,800.

Arcfox announced that it received 26,558 orders for the compact SUV just 12 hours after launch. The EV was first revealed at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in April.

In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 sedan has a base price of RMB 235,500, while the electric Model Y SUV starts at RMB 263,500.

The T1’s specs, however, are what you would expect from the price range. The EV features a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) configuration with an electric motor producing 94 hp or 127 hp, paired with a 33.4 kWh or 42.3 kWh battery, offering a driving range of 320 km or 425 km (CLTC standards). Arcfox claims the battery will charge from 30 to 80 percent in 16 minutes on DC power. Inside, customers will interact with the 15.6-inch touch-enabled center display and 8.8-inch dashboard.