Source of this article: Times Finance Author: He Qing
20 years since its establishment, GAC Toyota held the first GAC Toyota Technology Day, with the theme of "Creating an Era of Hybrid Equilibrium", focusing on the fifth generation of intelligent electric hybrid dual engines. At present, hybrid is the main outlet of electrification, and major brands are competing for the technological highland, and hybrid routes are constantly emerging.
Image source: Photo by Times Finance
Peng Baolin, deputy general manager of GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., talked about his understanding of hybrid vehicles at the event. "What does hybrid really mean? Is it a record-break? Is it simply to increase the fuel tank battery, simply compete with low fuel consumption and long battery life? Neither. He believes that the essence of hybrid is the deep integration of oil and electricity, which is not to use electricity first and then oil or oil and electricity, but to give full play to the advantages of fuel and electricity. He also said: "The plug-in mix sells well, and it all depends on the large fuel tank." Making the fuel tank bigger is the routine, and making the battery small is the technology. ”
GAC Toyota also announced the battery capacity, fuel tank volume and fuel consumption data of hybrid models of several well-known domestic car companies on the spot. Among them, the Great Wall Hi4-T has a battery capacity of 37.1kWh, a fuel tank volume of 70L, and a WLTC fuel consumption of 8.8L/100km. The data of BYD's fifth-generation DM-i are 15.8kWh, 65L, and 3.98L/100km, respectively. Geely Thor Hybrid is 15.5 kWh, 55 liters, 3.8 liters/100 km. Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid is 1.8 kWh, 43 liters, and 4.07 liters per 100 km.
Image source: GAC Toyota
"The intelligent electric hybrid dual engine achieves high energy efficiency with a small battery, getting rid of the dependence on large batteries, large motors, and large fuel tanks; It has no high-speed power delay, and no trouble with higher fuel consumption at higher speeds. GAC Toyota believes that other hybrids are not oil-electricity balance in the underlying logic, they are mainly based on electricity at low speeds and oil-based at high speeds. The intelligent electric hybrid dual engine can achieve accurate power distribution without going through the clutch, completely intelligently distribute power, and work seamlessly with oil and electricity, so the smoothness and reliability are better than those of plug-in hybrid vehicles using clutches.
In the past in the Chinese auto market, Japanese automakers represented by Toyota were in a leading position in gasoline-electric hybrid technology, and Japanese hybrids once occupied a considerable share of the Chinese auto market with the advantages of affordable price and low fuel consumption. With the rise of China's independent new energy brands, the traditional advantage of ordinary hybrid models of Japanese automakers has been impacted by their own brands.
In addition, hybrid technology is not considered a new energy vehicle in the Chinese market. According to the data of the Passenger Association, from January to May this year, the share of new energy retail of Japanese brands was only 1.1%. However, in Peng Baolin's view, although the intelligent electric hybrid dual engine does not have the name of new energy, it has the reality of new energy. "Electric hybrid is stronger than plug-in hybrid." Peng Baolin shouted at the scene.
It cannot be ignored that plug-in hybrid has become one of the hottest tracks in the current new energy vehicle market. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, from January to May 2024, the domestic sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles will be 1.486 million units, a year-on-year increase of 85.2%; The sales volume of pure electric vehicles was 2.407 million units, a year-on-year increase of 12.7%. The sales growth rate of plug-in hybrid models far exceeds that of pure electric models.
Image source: China Association of Automobile Manufacturers
BYD, Dongfeng Motor, Geely Automobile and other independent car companies have launched their own plug-in hybrid technology, fiercely competing for 2,000 kilometers of long range, lower thermal efficiency, etc.
At present, the discussion and competition in the industry on the technical direction of new energy vehicles are still fierce. "In the recent plug-in hybrid market, independent brands are increasingly dominant, and range extension has become the exclusive use of independent and new forces." Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the passenger association, said.
GAC Toyota, as a veteran joint venture car company, on the one hand, flexes its muscles and strongly promotes intelligent electric hybrid dual engines; On the other hand, it is also actively developing plug-in hybrid models to try to break the situation, and plug-in hybrid models that support fast charging will be launched in China in October this year. At the same time, Toyota is also actively working on next-generation engines that are more suitable for electrified models, and will apply them to PHEVs and HEVs. It is reported that GAC Toyota continues to promote the all-round electrification strategy, and the HEV, PHEV, EV, and FCEV multi-path development is carried out simultaneously.
In addition, Toyota's next-generation electrification technology, represented by all-solid-state batteries, has a clear timetable for mass production. At this year's Technology Day, Toyota unveiled the progress of next-generation electrification technology, including performance lithium-ion batteries, popular lithium iron phosphate batteries, high-performance lithium-ion batteries, and all-solid-state batteries, which will be launched in four new generation batteries from 2026. The fastest new generation of batteries to land is a performance lithium battery, which is expected to be launched in 2026 and has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, from 10% to 80% Fast charging in just 20 minutes.
At present, the "scuffle" between joint venture brands and independent brands in the hybrid field is full of gunsmoke. After the release of BYD's fifth-generation DM technology, the first models Qin L DM-i and Seal 06 DM-i quickly won orders with long battery life and low fuel consumption. GAC Toyota, which shouted "electric hybrids are stronger than plug-in hybrids", can regain more share in the hybrid market remains to be tested by the market.