A little-known electric vehicle from South Korea’s SsangYong offers a glimpse into the early days of EV development, blending unconventional design with ambitious sustainability goals. The CCR-1, a compact urban electric car, stood out for its boxy shape and rear-wheel-drive layout, reflecting the experimental phase of electric mobility before mainstream adoption. Originally conceived as a concept car, it later entered limited production, showcasing how automakers in the 1990s and early 2000s explored alternative powertrains and styling. Its story highlights the challenges and creativity of an era when electric vehicles were still a niche pursuit rather than a global standard.


The SsangYong CCR-1: An Early Korean EV Experiment  CleanTechnica