North Korea is notorious for its authoritarianism, hatred of Western nations and closed borders that make it nearly impossible to get anything in or out of the country. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, as the saying goes. Every now and then, the rest of us get a read on the vibe inside the closed-off nation.

The occasional videos that leak out show an eclectic car scene (in the capital city of Pyongyang, anyway) including U.S.-spec models that high-ranking North Korean officials should avoid like the plague but don’t.

And now, as luck would have it, there’s a new EV hitting the streets of the Kim dynasty’s main city that—at least in the marketing fluff—beats everything made by those capitalist pigs at Tesla.

Enter the Madusan EV, a sleek four-door sedan that visitors can purportedly check out at the Madusan Electric Vehicle Exhibition Center on Hwasong Street in Pyongyang. It’s fast, it’s comfortable and it boasts a driving range of up to 447 miles (720 kilometers) on a full charge.

It also has a rather awkwardly blurred-out logo at the front that has a habit of moving around the screen, as you can see in the promotional video embedded below that apparently aired on North Korean state media.

But as with many other claims made by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it’s demonstrably bullshit. As you might have already noticed, the car is actually a Chinese-made BYD Han, which cannot drive 447 miles on a full charge even on its best day. It has a combined WLTP-rated range of 323 miles. Even the city range rating is 411 miles, according to BYD’s official European website.

It’s probably not surprising that Chinese EVs are making it to North Korea, considering the close political and (albeit one-sided) trade relationship the two nations have. These cars came in through an import-export company. Specifically, the Madusan Economic Federation, which describes itself as a North Korean foreign trade organization established in 2018 that deals with energy and resource management, smartphone-making and other such activities, according to The Korea Herald.

BYD Han

Madusan EV – a rebadged BYD Han for North Korea

Madusan EV – a rebadged BYD Han for North Korea

In other words, the cars were imported from China and shipped to the DPRK. It’s unclear who will buy them, considering the average person can barely afford to live and that only half of the population has access to electricity, let alone DC fast chargers.

Some might make their way to party leaders, but from what we’ve seen in the past, they might prefer to stick with their old-school Toyota SUVs and Mercedes-Benz sedans. Those 1,000 Volvo 144s that were never paid for are apparently still a common occurrence on the capital city’s streets, too.

So don’t let the Western propaganda fool you: it’s a very nice place to go on a fun drive with your best buddies. 

North Korea, known for its secretive nature and isolation from the rest of the world, has recently unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV) to the public. However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that the new EV is not what it seems.

The North Korean government, led by supreme leader Kim Jong-un, has been eager to showcase technological advancements in recent years. The introduction of the EV is seen as a significant step towards modernizing the country’s transportation sector. However, experts have raised concerns about the origin and true intentions behind the development of this new vehicle.

First and foremost, it is important to note that North Korea lacks the infrastructure and resources necessary to produce EVs on a mass scale. The country is heavily reliant on imports for basic necessities, let alone the complex technology required for electric vehicles. This raises questions about the authenticity of the EV and whether it may have been imported from a foreign manufacturer.

Furthermore, the North Korean regime has a history of using propaganda and false narratives to project an image of progress and prosperity to the outside world. It is possible that the unveiling of the EV is part of a larger propaganda campaign aimed at boosting the regime’s image and deflecting attention from the country’s many human rights abuses and economic challenges.

In addition, there are concerns about the environmental impact of introducing EVs in a country like North Korea, which already struggles with pollution and resource scarcity. Without a comprehensive plan to address these issues, the introduction of EVs may do more harm than good in the long run.

Overall, while the unveiling of North Korea’s first EV may seem like a step towards modernization and progress, it is important to approach this news with caution and skepticism. The true intentions behind the development of the EV, as well as its potential impact on the environment and the economy, remain unclear. As the world watches with interest, it is crucial to continue monitoring the situation in North Korea and questioning the true motives behind this new development.