From 'outdated' to 'excellent,' the extended-range technology route is becoming a precise breakthrough point for auto companies' sales. On November 20th local time, Stellantis group announced the launch of the STLA Frame vehicle platform, a pure electric vehicle native multi-energy platform that will be used in upcoming new products from Jeep and Ram brands.

"The STLA Frame platform is one of the four global multi-energy vehicle platforms in the group's Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan." Stellantis group introduced that the launch of this platform aims to support its full-size pickups, light commercial vehicles, and SUV models. Vehicles equipped with this platform will first feature innovative powertrains, including pure electric and extended-range, with the future potential to incorporate internal combustion engines, hybrid powertrains, and hydrogen energy power systems. For extended-range electric vehicles, the range can reach 1100 kilometers; for pure electric vehicles, the range can reach 800 kilometers.

More stringent emission standards and the relatively lower acceptance of pure electric new energy vehicles in some regions including Europe may be the main considerations for Stellantis to launch the STLA Frame multi-energy platform. "As we fully roll out our pure electric and extended-range electric vehicle technologies, we will provide uncompromising solutions for buyers who may still be hesitant about purchasing their first electric vehicle." Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, stated.

Data shows that the total sales of new energy vehicles in ten European countries including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy reached 0.184 million units in October, a 4% year-on-year decrease and a 20% month-on-month decline. Among them, pure electric vehicles were 118,010 units, down 5% year-on-year and a significant 27% month-on-month decrease; plug-in hybrids were 66,210 units, down 4% year-on-year and a slight 3% month-on-month decline.

Not only Stellantis, currently the fourth largest global market sales group, well-known for its performance vehicles and has fully transitioned to electrification, but Lotus Technology, which has also ventured into the plug-in extended-range field for the first time.

"Electrification is not entirely all-electric." According to Feng Qingfeng, global CEO of Lotus, there are various ways to address power, including pure fuel, pure electric, hybrid, and extended range, each representing different power performance forms. 'There is no best, only better, we need to find the optimal solution.'

On the eve of the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, Lotus officially unveiled the 'Luyao' super hybrid electric technology solution. According to Feng Qingfeng, under the plug-in flash charge technology and in-motion self-charging technology, future models equipped with the 'Luyao' super hybrid electric technology can achieve a comprehensive range of over 1100 kilometers, and support 'dual charging' capability, i.e., static plug-in fast charging + dynamic engine self-charging 5 times faster than discharging. 'Extended range is a great solution, market performance and user recognition can already explain the situation,' Feng Qingfeng said.

Before extended-range technology becomes more popular in the international market, domestic car companies in China have already shown great interest in this. At the third-quarter earnings call on November 19, He Xiaopeng, the director of Xiaopeng Motors, announced that by 2025, Xiaopeng Motors plans to launch at least 4 new models, including the introduction of a super electric version for the first time. Previously, Xiaopeng Motors had released the extended-range system, the "Xiaopeng Kunpeng Super Electric System," which utilizes 800V high-voltage pure electric technology.

At the recent Guangzhou Auto Show, companies including Chongqing Sokon Industry Group Stock, Chery, GAC, Avita, and Chang'an Mazda, which has almost lost its influence in the Chinese market, all showcased their range-extended technology or products. Gu Huinan, the general manager of GAC Aion, revealed that Aion will change its current strategy of only focusing on pure electric vehicles and will start a multi-energy route combining range-extending and plug-in hybrid by 2025.

"At the moment, the energy density of power batteries constrains the range of electric vehicles, but range-extended vehicles can use both fuel and electricity, effectively addressing the issues of range anxiety and recharging, as well as the range anxiety of pure electric vehicle models." Cui Dongshu, the Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association, stated that range-extended new energy vehicle companies have recently performed well. Some car companies have experienced a phase of explosive growth. Currently, the main market for range-extended vehicles is still large and medium-sized cities. It is expected that with the increase in sales of brands like Li Auto, NIO, and Avita, smaller cities and rural markets will gradually rise.

However, some opinions believe that range-extended vehicles are only a transitional solution. Cao Li, the Vice President of Leapmotor, mentioned that in the long run, the range of pure electric vehicles is increasing, charging infrastructure is becoming more complete, and the market demand for range will become more rational. As a result, the proportion of range-extended vehicles will further decrease over time, but will not immediately disappear.