AION

From State-Owned Roots to the World’s Third-Largest EV Brand

Despite what you may think, this brand is not named for the adult animated adventure series from the 90s; we can however, confirm the era’s undying influence on some cultures.

In a market crowded with ambitious electric vehicle start-ups and legacy manufacturers scrambling to go electric, Aion occupies a uniquely powerful position, it is neither a plucky newcomer nor a reluctant convert. It is a purpose-built EV brand backed by one of China’s largest state-owned automotive conglomerates, with the production scale to match, and it is now arriving on European and global shores with serious intent.

GAC and the Birth of GAC New Energy

Aion traces its roots to GAC Group (Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.), one of China’s biggest automotive manufacturers. GAC is perhaps best known internationally for its joint ventures with Toyota and Honda in the Chinese market, but by the mid-2010s, the company recognised that the future was electric.

On 28 July 2017, GAC established GAC New Energy Automobile Co. Ltd. as a dedicated subsidiary to develop connected, new-energy vehicles. The goal was clear: create a standalone electric vehicle operation with its own technology, identity, and ambition, not merely an electrified wing of an existing petrol-car business.

Aion was introduced as an EV sub-brand under GAC New Energy in 2018 with the first model, the Aion S saloon, shown publicly in November of that year at Auto Guangzhou.

Rapid Model Expansion (2019-2020)

In 2019, GAC announced an aggressive product roadmap of 12 new models, laying the groundwork for what would eventually include the LX, V, and Y. By 2020, the Aion V SUV had launched, becoming the brand’s third model and its second SUV after the LX.

A landmark moment came in November 2020, when GAC New Energy was renamed GAC Aion and restructured as an independent operation, separated from other GAC activities. This was more than a rebrand it signalled that Aion was being positioned as a proper standalone brand with its own corporate identity, manufacturing infrastructure, and commercial strategy.

Battery Technology breakthroughs (2021)

2021 proved to be a pivotal year for battery innovation. GAC Aion announced that the Aion V Plus a significantly refreshed version of the V would feature graphene-enhanced battery technology capable of charging from 0 to 80% in just 8 minutes, adding 70 kWh of charge. Alongside this, GAC unveiled its A480 supercharger: a 480 kW, 1000 V ultra-fast charging station capable of delivering a 35.1 kWh charge (30–80%) in under 5 minutes.

The Aion V Plus itself boasted charging capability at up to 880 V with a maximum charge rate of 480 kW figures that were, at the time, among the most impressive claimed by any production EV. The battery was also designed for longevity, with GAC claiming it could maintain 95% capacity even after 1,600 charge cycles.

Also in 2021, GAC Aion announced a collaboration with Huawei to jointly develop a medium-to-large premium SUV, the AH8, a sign of Aion’s growing confidence and ambition.

AION

Aion’s international line-up is focused on two models for now, with more to follow. The full Chinese domestic range is considerably broader, offering a window into what Western markets may eventually receive.

Aion V — Family Electric SUV (Global Model)

The Aion V is Aion’s flagship global product and its beachhead model for the UK and European markets. The second-generation version is built on the AEP 3.0 platform and has been specifically tuned for European roads and tastes, with its suspension recalibrated for British tarmac.

Dimensions

Powertrain & Performance

Battery & Charging

Key Standard Equipment

• 14.6-inch central touchscreen (ADiGO software, Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8155P processor)
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Dual-zone climate control with heat pump
• Panoramic sunroof with electric blind
• Heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats (outer)
• Eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive cruise control, AEB, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert
• Ambient lighting

Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating (2025)

Optional Premium Pack (£1,495)

• Genuine leather upholstery
• 6.6-litre “Cool/Hot Box” (cools to -15°C / heats to 50°C)
• Massaging front seats
• Rear tray table (passenger side)

UK Price: from £36,450 with “Great Eight” Ownership Package (included on all UK cars)

Aion includes 8 years of: vehicle warranty (100,000 miles), battery warranty (125,000 miles), free servicing, free MOTs, and AA roadside assistance all transferable to subsequent owners.

AION UT

Aion UT — Compact Electric Hatchback

The Aion UT is Aion’s smaller, urban-focused offering. Described by the brand as a “Milan-inspired fastback,” it is youthful in design, spacious for its class, and priced to take on the MG4, BYD Dolphin, and GWM Ora in markets where it has launched (Australia, Indonesia, China, and planned for the UK later in 2026).

Dimensions

• Length: 4,270 mm
• Width: 1,850 mm
• Height: 1,575 mm
• Hatch: 321 litres (up to 689 litres with rear seats folded)

Powertrain & Performance

• Motor: Single front-mounted electric motor
• Power: 150 kW (201 bhp) in 60 kWh version; ~100 kW in base 44 kWh version
• Torque: 210 Nm
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
• 0–100 km/h: ~8.5 seconds (approx.)

Battery & Charging

• Standard battery: 44 kWh LFP (range: ~270 km / 168 miles WLTP estimated)
• Premium battery: 60 kWh LFP
• Range (60 kWh, WLTP): 430 km / 267 miles
• DC Fast Charging: 30–80% in ~24 minutes

Pricing

UT Luxury (60 kWh): AUD $31,990

UT Premium (60 kWh): AUD $35,990

UK pricing: Expected mid-to-high £20,000s when it arrives later in 2026.

The UT also carries the 8-year / unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and 8-year / 200,000 km battery warranty.

A nice place to be

AION Y

A Compact SUV (China/Asia Markets)

The Aion Y is one of Aion’s most popular models in China, a compact SUV positioned in the highly competitive C-segment. Updated as the Aion Y Plus, it features a sleek fastback roofline and generous interior space for its footprint.

• Length: ~4,500 mm
• Battery options: 60–70 kWh LFP
• CLTC Range: up to 510 km (~317 miles estimated WLTP)
• Motor: Single front-mounted, ~135 kW
• Chinese price range: ¥109,800–¥165,800 (~£12,000–£18,000)

A stylish interior

AION S / AION RT

Compact Electric Saloon (China/Asia Markets)

The Aion S was the model that started it all, launched in 2018. A sleek four-door saloon with strong range credentials, it was followed by the updated Aion RT, which is aimed at younger buyers with a sportier design.

Aion RT (2025)

• Segment: Compact saloon
• Battery: Up to ~70 kWh
• CLTC Range: up to 650 km (~404 miles WLTP estimated)
• Chinese price range: ¥119,800–¥165,800 (~£13,000–£18,000)

Optional Premium Pack (£1,495)

AION LX

A full-Size Electric SUV (China/Asia Markets) 

The Aion LX is the brand’s flagship SUV for the Chinese market, positioned above the V in size and price.

• Segment: Full-size SUV
• Motor: 245 hp / ~180 kW
• 0–100 km/h: 7.9 seconds
• Top speed: 170 km/h
• CLTC Range: up to **1,008 km** (with largest battery — among the highest claimed ranges of any production EV)

Starting price: ~$62,600 USD (in select markets)

Optional Premium Pack (£1,495)**

Competitive outlook

Rivals beware?

The Aion V is the model that matters most in Western markets right now. Here is how it stacks up:

Where the Aion V wins

• Charging speed (180 kW peak is class-leading for this price point; 24 mins 10–80% beats all major rivals)
• Standard equipment level (heated/ventilated front and rear seats, panoramic roof, heat pump, V2L all standard)
• Ownership package (“Great Eight” 8 years of warranty, servicing, MOTs and roadside assistance is unmatched)
• Rear seat space almost as spacious as a BMW X5
• Build quality feel (suspension tuned for UK roads; solid body engineering; 5-star Euro NCAP)

Where rivals have the edge

• Renault Scenic and Kia EV3 offer meaningfully more range (381 and 375 miles vs 317)
• Skoda Elroq is sharper to drive and has a larger boot
• MG S6 offers a front storage frunk and AWD option
• Established brands carry lower perceived risk for first-time EV buyers
• Aion has only 15 confirmed UK dealers at launch, compared to national networks for Skoda, Kia, and Renault

The Road Ahead

Aion’s UK and European strategy is deliberately measured. Managing Director Jon Wakefield has made clear the brand intends “sustainable growth rather than an aggressive push for volume,” building a small network of committed dealer partners rather than flooding the market.

Upcoming models for Western markets include:

• Aion UT hatchback arriving in the UK later in 2026, targeting MG4/Renault 5 buyers
• A PHEV SUV (badged S7 in other markets) expected in the UK in 2027
• Further range-extending hybrid models are planned as Aion acknowledges the European appetite for PHEVs alongside pure EVs

The fundamental challenge for Aion — as for every Chinese newcomer — is brand longevity. The UK has already seen GWM’s Ora and Haval brands stumble. But Aion is backed by one of the world’s genuinely large automotive groups, has Toyota’s implicit engineering endorsement through the bZ3X, and arrives with a product that is well-engineered rather than merely well-priced. The “Great Eight” ownership package is a smart play: it reduces buyer anxiety, protects residual values, and gives Aion time to build a reputation.

Whether it succeeds will depend not just on the cars — which are genuinely good — but on whether the brand is still in the UK in eight years’ time to honour those promises.