With the vigorous development of the new energy vehicle market, various technical routes emerge in an endless stream, among which extended-range electric vehicles have gradually become the new favorite in the market with their unique advantages. However, is this emerging technology a "dark horse" galloping into the new era, or a "passerby" passing by?
Not long ago, with the shining debut of Xingtu Star Era ET, Chery Automobile, a veteran car company, has officially stepped into the fierce battlefield of extended-range electric vehicles. This is not only a shift in technology choices, but also a keen insight into market trends. A range-extender electric vehicle, as the name suggests, is the addition of a range extender to the electric vehicle, usually consisting of a small internal combustion engine, which is used to generate electricity when the battery is depleted, thereby extending the vehicle's range.
In 2023, the sales of extended-range electric vehicles will grow by leaps and bounds, and many car companies have joined this technological revolution. Behind this is the user's unremitting pursuit of cruising range and charging convenience, and it is also the accurate grasp of market demand by car companies. At the same time, plug-in hybrid technology is also gaining a foothold in the market as another new energy solution. However, in contrast, the extended-range model, with its simpler structure and lower cost, seems to be more in line with the current trend of electrification transformation. Although plug-in hybrid models have both fuel and electric drive modes, their essence is still mainly driven by internal combustion engines, supplemented by electric drives, which is undoubtedly slightly inferior in terms of environmental protection and energy saving compared with pure electric vehicles.
As Chery's first extended-range model, the Xingtu Star Era ET is naturally attracting attention. It was born on the E0X electric platform under Xingtu, with two power forms: pure electric and extended range, with a pre-sale price range of 19.9-329,000. Such a pricing strategy is undoubtedly sending a clear signal to the market: range-extender electric vehicles are not a luxury item that is out of reach, but an environmentally friendly travel option that ordinary consumers can also reach.
However, in the midst of this technological revolution, there are also those who hold a different view. Li Xiang, CEO of Li Auto, once boldly predicted that in the next year or two, China's independent brands will turn to the range-extender technology route, and heavyweight players such as the Great Wall and Geely series will even give up multi-gear PHEVs and fully embrace the range-extender route. Such a prediction has undoubtedly dropped a bombshell on the market.
But then again, predictions are predictions, and the market is the only criterion for testing the truth. For now, while range-extender EVs are performing well in the market, it is too early to say that they have completely replaced plug-in hybrid technology. After all, plug-in hybrid technology still has advantages in terms of range, fuel economy and power performance. What's more, industry giants like Great Wall Motors are still insisting on developing multi-gear PHEV technology, which is undoubtedly a powerful challenge to the extended-range route.
Speaking of which, we have to mention that although the advantages of extended-range electric vehicles are obvious, they are not without shortcomings. For example, at high speeds, the power generation efficiency of the range extender may be affected, which will affect the fuel economy and power performance of the vehicle. For example, the battery pack capacity of an extended-range electric vehicle is usually large, which will undoubtedly increase the weight and cost of the whole vehicle. These issues are what car companies need to focus on in the future R&D process.
To sum up, although the extended-range electric vehicle has emerged in the new energy vehicle market, it is still too early to say that it has firmly sat in the Diaoyutai. After all, the competition in the new energy vehicle market has just begun, and various technical routes have their own unique advantages and limitations. It will take time to give an answer to who will be the master of the ups and downs in the future.