Zeekr, Geely Auto’s high-end electric vehicle brand, has embraced hybrid technology in a strategic move to broaden its reach and attract a wider consumer base as competition in the auto market intensifies.
Based in Hangzhou, the company has joined the growing list of Chinese EV manufacturers rolling out plug-in hybrid models, making Nio, headquartered in Shanghai, the sole automaker still committed exclusively to pure electric vehicles, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
On Wednesday, Zeekr stated that its hybrid technology is setting a new benchmark for long-range plug-in hybrids, delivering top-tier charging efficiency, rapid acceleration, and superior vibration control for smooth performance on both highways and city streets.
Zeekr’s debut hybrid, the 9X, will be powered by the Freevoy Super Hybrid battery developed by leading supplier CATL, offering an electric range of up to 380 kilometers. Typically, hybrid vehicles operate on battery power for shorter trips, usually between 100 and 200 kilometers, before switching to fuel for longer journeys.
Zeekr revealed that the upcoming 9X SUV, expected to be priced at around 600,000 yuan (US$83,635), will be the world’s first hybrid vehicle built on a 900-volt electrical system, enabling an impressive driving range of nearly 220 kilometers from just nine minutes of charging. The company also confirmed that deliveries of the 9X are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year.
Geely Auto, overseen by Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, stands as the second-largest automaker in mainland China, producing a mix of petrol-driven and electric vehicles.
While electric vehicles continue to gain traction across the country, Geely remains committed to growth by channeling investments into both EV and traditional fuel-powered markets.
GENERAL | Nissan Scales Back LEAF EV Production Ahead of Launch
