Chery has officially entered the electric pickup arena — and it didn’t tiptoe in.
The Chinese automaker Chery Automobile has unveiled its first fully electric pickup truck in its home market, sold under its sub-brand RELY. The model is called R08, also known commercially as Hilma, and it sends a very clear message from day one: electric pickups don’t have to be expensive or complicated.
With prices starting at around $18,000, Chery isn’t chasing headlines — it’s chasing real buyers.
A Pickup That Doesn’t Forget What It’s Supposed to Be
While many electric pickups lean heavily into lifestyle marketing, the RELY R08 sticks to the basics that matter. It’s built on a body-on-frame chassis, the kind you expect from a proper work truck, not a city toy pretending to be tough.
Buyers can choose between two setups:
- A single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version for everyday work
- Or a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration for those who need extra traction and muscle
Simple choices. Clear intentions.
Rugged Looks Without Trying Too Hard
Design-wise, the Hilma looks confident rather than flashy. Up front, a large, multi-sided grille finished in black dominates the face, complete with a honeycomb pattern and bold RELY badging. It looks like a truck that’s ready to be used — not just photographed.
Chery offers the pickup in two lengths:
- A standard version measuring 5.33 meters
- A longer variant stretching to 5.61 meters
The cargo bed follows the same practical thinking, offering generous depth and consistent width across both versions — proof that this truck was designed with real-world utility in mind.
Inside, It’s More Modern Than You’d Expect
Step into the cabin, and the R08 surprises you. It’s not bare or industrial. Instead, you’re greeted by a clean layout with a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and a floating touchscreen, available in 12.3-inch or 15.6-inch sizes depending on the trim.
The interior color scheme blends light brown and black, lifted by subtle chrome accents. Higher trims add modern driver-assistance features like:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keeping assist
- Automatic emergency braking
It’s a reminder that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromise.
Two Personalities, One Electric Platform
Under the skin, the RELY R08 offers two very different characters:
- Rear-wheel-drive version
- 201 horsepower
- 350 Nm of torque
- 0–100 km/h in 8.8 seconds
- All-wheel-drive version
- 402 horsepower
- 540 Nm of torque
- 0–100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds
That’s quick — especially for a pickup in this price bracket. Charging ports are positioned at the front of the vehicle, keeping daily use straightforward.
Pricing That Changes the Conversation
Chery’s pricing strategy is where things get interesting. With six trims available, the lineup starts at $18,300 and tops out at around $22,700, even for the long-range, all-wheel-drive version.
At those numbers, the RELY R08 doesn’t just compete — it undercuts almost everything else in the electric pickup space.
The Bigger Meaning
This isn’t just Chery launching a new model. It’s Chery making a statement.
By combining a traditional truck platform, modern electric performance, and aggressive pricing, the RELY R08 proves that electric pickups can be accessible, practical, and genuinely useful.
For now, it’s a China-only offering. But if this formula travels, it could seriously shake up markets that are still waiting for affordable electric trucks.
And that’s what makes this pickup interesting.
