Daimler’s commitment to the EV segment and Chinese car market has been strengthened with the introduction of the Denza 500.

Created by the Denza brand, which is part of the Daimler and BYD joint venture, it’s actually an evolved version of the Denza 400 that was launched two years ago.

In addition to the styling changes made at the front and rear, the all-electric minivan features a new battery that provides an extended range of around 500 km (311 miles), hence the ‘500’ name. It also gets a weight reduction compared to the previous model, which uses a 62kWh battery range and can travel for up to 400 km (249 miles) on a single charge.

No technical details have been announced yet, but the Denza 500 is seen as an important contributor to the “development of electric mobility in China“. as Daimler put its. It’s also said to be able to cope with extreme weather after being tested in temperatures as low as -40C (-40F).

Things haven’t changed that much inside, but the company mentions a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s larger than before. Features such as smartphone connectivity, navigation system, climate control, multi-function steering wheel and leather upholstery are also available, while the foot-operated parking brake appears to have been replaced by an electronic one.

Just like the 400, the Denza 500 EV is aimed solely at the Chinese market, where it’s expected to go on sale later this year.