Hybrid production line of Guizhou Geely Auto Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Photographed by Chen Siyu (Zhongjing Vision)
On June 1, Great Wall Motor announced the launch of Weipai New Mocha DHT-PHEV, a large 5-seat hybrid SUV. This is another plug-in hybrid vehicle launched by Great Wall Motor after Haval Xiaolong MAX.
In the development of new energy vehicles in China, there are three Technology roadmap, namely, pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles (including incremental programs), and fuel cell vehicles, with the focus on pure electric vehicles. However, both domestic brand car companies and joint venture car companies have recently accelerated the process of launching plug-in hybrid vehicle products, claiming to be "at the same price as gasoline and electricity", and staged a plug-in hybrid war.
Competing to layout a new track
On May 31st, the Geely Galaxy L7 announced its launch with a total of 5 different configuration models. As the first model in the Galaxy product series, the Geely Galaxy L7 is equipped with the "all-new generation Raytheon electric hybrid 8848" powertrain, with a thermal efficiency of 44.26%, a fuel consumption of 5.23L per 100 kilometers, and a comprehensive range of 1370 kilometers under CLTC conditions. Previously, the champion versions of Haval Xiaolong MAX and BYD Song PLUS DM-i under the Great Wall also came into the market. At this point, independent brand private car companies represented by Geely, Great Wall, and BYD have all laid out hybrid tracks. Coincidentally, Nissan, Honda, and Toyota also launched new electric hybrid products through joint ventures in China that month.
On May 20th, GAC Honda's all-new Accord was launched, covering a total of 7 versions of two major power types. Among them, the e: PHEV strong electric intelligent hybrid is Honda's first sedan equipped with a plug-in hybrid system. "We choose to use e: PHEV on the main model, the Accord, which includes strategic considerations." Sen Shan Keying, general manager of Guangqi Honda Motor Co., Ltd., said that with the launch of new models, there will be 6 models in the hybrid matrix of GAC Honda, and the second new pure electric model will be released early next year. This means that GAC Honda will make comprehensive efforts in the new energy field in the future.
On May 21st, FAW Toyota's new Corolla was launched, offering three power versions: 1.2T, 1.5L gasoline power, and 1.8L intelligent electric hybrid dual engine, totaling 9 models.
On May 22nd, Dongfeng Nissan's ultra hybrid electric drive Qijun was launched, with a total of two models. The Accord, Corolla, Qijun and other models have always been the main sales models of Japanese cars. Nowadays, these models have launched versions such as strong electric hybrid, intelligent hybrid, and ultra hybrid electric drive for the first time, demonstrating the determination of Japanese joint venture car companies to catch up on the plug-in hybrid track.
The trend of equal prices for oil and electricity
It is worth noting that the prices of the major models launched this time have hit new lows, making consumers feel that the same price for gasoline and electricity is so close to them. The market guidance price of Geely Galaxy L7 this time is between 138700 yuan and 173700 yuan, which is 16100 yuan lower than the starting price of BYD Song PLUS DM-i, and 21100 yuan lower than that of Haval Xiaolong MAX.
Similarly, the prices of Japanese electric hybrid vehicles have also begun to "catch ground". Take Dongfeng Nissan X-Trail as an example, the price of the super hybrid dual motor four-wheel drive premium version is 199900 yuan, and the price of the super hybrid dual motor four-wheel drive luxury version is 189900 yuan. The price of super hybrid electric drive Qijun completely overlaps with that of the fuel version, and its starting price of 189900 yuan is comparable to that of BYD Song PLUS DM-i, Haval Xiaolong MAX and other independent brands.
Gao Guolin, vice president of Dongfeng Nissan and vice general manager of Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Co., Ltd., said that the guiding price of super hybrid electric driver in China's market is far lower than that in other overseas regions, which is the lowest price in the world.
Plug in hybrid vehicles use electricity as the main driving method, while fuel is used as auxiliary power generation and driving energy. Compared to traditional fuel vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles have lower fuel consumption, usage costs, and exhaust emissions, while also improving driving quietness and comfort. Compared with pure electric vehicles, the battery is small, the purchase cost is not high, and there is no Range anxiety. However, for a long time, plug-in hybrid cars have not been favored due to "insufficient power". With the increasing price of oil and electricity in recent years, consumer "foot voting" has driven the rapid expansion of the plug-in hybrid market.
According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2022, the sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles in China reached 1.518 million units, with a growth rate of 150%, far higher than the growth rate of pure electric vehicles. In February of this year, BYD launched the Qin PLUS DM-i, which brought the same price of oil and electricity into reality at a price of 99800 yuan and sparked market discussions. The pricing of plug-in hybrid products recently launched is close to that of gasoline vehicles, which is not only conducive to full competition in the new energy vehicle market, but also can enhance product competitiveness and accelerate the replacement of gasoline vehicles. "Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the National Passenger Car Market Information Joint Conference, said that with the continuous expansion of the best-selling scale of new energy vehicles and the decrease in costs, the trend of equal prices for gasoline and electricity has become a trend.
Development window period over 10 years
However, in the eyes of professionals, plug-in hybrid vehicles are only special products in the transition period of new energy vehicle development. In the end, pure electric vehicles and Hydrogen fuel vehicles will be developed. Ouyang Minggao, an academician of the CAS Member and a professor of Tsinghua University, said that it will take about 10 years for the whole automobile industry chain to transform into new energy vehicles. At present, it is still necessary to adhere to the parallel interaction between transition and transformation, and further promote the dual wheel strategy of pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The dual wheel strategy is conducive to the smooth transition of the entire automotive industry chain, alleviating the structural contradiction between electric and fuel vehicles in the automotive industry, as engines can still be used. In addition, the dual wheel strategy is also conducive to reducing the average battery installed capacity of vehicles, suppressing lithium price fluctuations, and alleviating the structural contradiction between the battery industry and the entire vehicle industry, By 2025, plug-in hybrid vehicles may reach their peak development; by 2030, their sales and market share will begin to decline, and after 2035, they may decline
Car companies represented by BYD have collectively promoted ultra hybrid vehicles, transforming consumption trends through equal pricing of gasoline and electricity, and promoting the rapid increase in the potential energy and sales of plug-in hybrid vehicle categories. The "Global New Energy Vehicle Category Trends Research Report" released by Reese Consulting believes that in the long run, plug-in hybrid vehicles will be challenged by pure electric vehicles in terms of overturning the significance and role of fuel vehicles, forming a competitive situation of "dynamic coexistence" with pure electric vehicles. However, even so, it will still take a long time for pure electric vehicles to fully achieve the same price as gasoline and electricity, as well as the anxiety of no compensation. Therefore, plug-in hybrid vehicles still have a development window of at least 10 years.
"In view of the current good market performance of plug-in hybrid vehicles, we should be guided by market demand and enterprise development, adhere to the dual strategy of transition and transformation, further clarify the strategic relationship between plug-in hybrid vehicles and pure electric vehicles, guide the industry to do a good job in layout and transition, and promote a unified hybrid power system platform, component sharing, and cost optimization." Zhang Yongwei, vice chairman and secretary-general of the China Electric Vehicle Hundred People Association, suggested that, Considering the current characteristics of China's plug-in and hybrid battery technology and driving characteristics, we are considering updating standards for plug-in and hybrid vehicles with pure electric driving ranges of 100 to 200 kilometers, in order to promote higher quality development of the industry. (Economic Daily reporter Yang Zhongyang)
Source: Economic Daily
