Hybrid electric cars that can charge from the engine, known as extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), are becoming increasingly popular among Chinese motorists. These vehicles offer a compelling combination of greater range and affordability, leading to a surge in their adoption.
EREVs, a subcategory of plug-in hybrids, incorporate a small internal-combustion engine that generates power to recharge the battery when needed. This also allows them to be charged via a standard power cable, providing drivers with flexibility and convenience.
These cars can travel considerable distances, with some models boasting a range of up to 1,000km on a single charge. Moreover, they are typically about 10 percent cheaper than their pure-electric counterparts, according to Davis Zhang, a senior executive at Suzhou Hazardtex, a supplier of specialized batteries. Zhang estimates that this price difference can translate to savings of around 30,000 yuan (US$4,220) for a single purchase.
Major EV manufacturers in China, with the exception of Shanghai-based Nio, have either already developed EREVs or are actively planning to do so. This shift is directly attributed to growing consumer demand for the technology.
“It is a big twist in China’s EV sector because extended range technology was once shunned by all major carmakers a decade ago for its poor market outlook,” said Gao Shen, an independent analyst in Shanghai. “Most companies are now taking a middle road in developing EREVs due to their rising popularity among Chinese consumers.”
Shen added that while pure-electric cars are still expected to be the future of the industry, EREVs present a viable and attractive option for the present.
Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reveals that carmakers delivered 623,000 EREVs in mainland China last year, reflecting a substantial 173 percent increase compared to the previous year. EREVs accounted for 2.9 percent of total electric car sales in the last year. Furthermore, in the most recent month, the 114,000 EREVs delivered in China constituted 10.2 per cent of the overall EV market.
