Range anxiety with electric vehicles becomes less of an issue when you move to hybrids – a plan that nearly the entire auto industry is embracing after discovering that the economics of pure BEVs are a prohibitive nightmare.
For example, this week Bloomberg reported that BYD unveiled a new “hybrid powertrain capable of traveling more than 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) without recharging or refueling.”
The technology will be featured in two sedans priced below 100,000 yuan (13,800 dollars, 12,800 euros) and capable of covering distances comparable to those from Singapore to Bangkok or from New York to Miami, much more than the distance between Rome and Paris, with a single charge and a single tank of fuel. This advancement marks a significant step in fuel efficiency since BYD introduced its first hybrids in 2008.
The Shenzhen automaker, known for aggressive pricing strategies that have impacted its profitability, dominates China’s hybrid market, holding a 50% market share, Bloomberg writes.
In response to consumer concerns about range and environmental considerations, automakers globally are innovating, as evidenced by Toyota’s recent unveiling of a versatile new internal combustion engine. Here is a list of hybrid cars with greater autonomy
BYD, which ceased production of fossil-fuel-only vehicles in early 2022, is expanding its hybrid exports, particularly in markets with limited charging infrastructure. The new updates, initially available in China, are expected to be exported soon.
Volkswagen is also taking a step back from BEVs to hybrids. In April we noted that Ford is “recalibrating” its efforts to go all-electric, and in February we wrote that GM was also switching to plug-in hybrids.
CEO Mary Barra said on an earnings call in February: “I want to be clear: GM remains committed to eliminating exhaust emissions from our light-duty vehicles by 2035, but, in the meantime, the deployment of technology plug-ins in strategic segments will offer some of the environmental benefits of electric vehicles as the nation continues to build out this charging infrastructure.”
We also noted earlier in the year that BYD surpassed Tesla in all-electric vehicle deliveries for the first time.
The company said it has produced more than 3 million hybrid or electric vehicles for the current year and this marks the second year that BYD has surpassed Tesla in total production. BYD produced 1.6 million battery vehicles, just behind Tesla, and 1.4 million hybrid vehicles.
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