Most hybrid battery vehicle owners purchase them to get a taste of the new technology. Although they may also be doing their bit for global warming, and appreciate the silent driving experience. Restricted battery driving range has limited this to a novelty until now. But that was before CATL unveiled its extended range hybrid batteries for customers in China.
Why the Interest in Extended Range Hybrid Batteries in China?
The Times Live news channel reports that the extended range option is the fastest-growing electric car segment in China. We understand more Chinese consumers prefer these vehicles, because ‘they can cost less than petrol cars’.
This is an interesting proposition, because it could provide a longer range option than either gasoline or batteries on their own. And moreover, this allows for recharging the batteries from the gasoline engine ‘power bank’.
However, on a deeper level, extended range hybrid batteries could offer a way forward from the current driving range impasse. Many North Americans use their personal vehicles to travel long distances between cities.
Those drivers are understandably not keen to break their trip, while waiting for an hour-long battery recharge. And moreover, they know that rapid charging like that shortens the useful life of their batteries.
How CATL Plans to Make the Most of This Business Opportunity
Gao Huan is chief technology officer of CATL’s electric vehicle business in China. He told a recent media conference that his company’s new extended range hybrid batteries will have a driving range of 250 miles.
Now that might seem like small fry to a North American inter-city driver. But it should be a great attraction to resident’s in China’s vast cities housing millions.
We understand that nearly 30 extended hybrid vehicles will be using CATL’s new ‘Freevoy’ batteries for the China market. This is a most interesting development, which should definitely help in the struggle against global warming.
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