As the electric vehicle market continues to mature and competition intensifies, Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), once a controversial technology path, are gradually becoming a new focus for many automakers seeking sales breakthroughs. Recently, Xiaomi announced that it will launch its first extended-range SUV in 2026. This news quickly attracted widespread attention in the industry. At the same time, several well-known automobile brands, including XPENG Motors, GAC AION, DEEPAL Motors, and IM Motors, have also revealed plans to incorporate extended-range technology into their future product lines, highlighting the growing importance of this technology in the new energy vehicle sector.
According to the latest data released by the China Automobile Dealers Association (referred to as the "Car Association"), sales performance for extended-range models and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) was particularly impressive in September 2024, achieving 117,000 units and 361,000 units respectively. Sales of these vehicles increased by 89.1% and 96.7% year-on-year, significantly outpacing the growth rate of pure electric vehicles during the same period. This trend reflects not only consumers' increasing acceptance of extended-range vehicles but also indicates the vast potential and development space for this market segment in the future.
The rapid development of extended-range electric vehicles can be attributed to their unique advantages. These vehicles are equipped with small engines to charge the batteries, effectively addressing the issues of limited cruising range and inadequate charging infrastructure faced by pure electric vehicles, while still maintaining low emissions to meet consumers' environmental protection and travel convenience needs. Additionally, extended-range technology can reduce vehicle costs, making new energy vehicles more affordable for a broader consumer base, which is significant for promoting the adoption of new energy vehicles.
Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the Passenger Car Association, noted that the current performance of extended-range new energy vehicle companies is impressive, with some showing clear growth momentum. "At this stage, the primary consumer groups for extended-range vehicles are concentrated in large and medium-sized cities. However, with the continuous growth of brands like Lixiang Auto, AITO, and AVATR, we have reason to believe that, in the near future, extended-range vehicles will also find a place in small cities and even rural areas," Cui Dongshu stated.