Zeekr Announces First Flagship Hybrid-Powered Model
BEV brand latest to break ranks and include hybrid powertrains in its lineup in response to consumer demand.
The global slowdown in battery-electric vehicle sales sees even a major Chinese brand switch focus and announce the launch of a flagship hybrid model.
Geely-owned and sister brand to Volvo, Zeekr says it will present its first non-BEV model, a fullsize SUV, in the second half of 2025. It will feature Nvidia's Drive Thor autonomous driving chip and will offer variants featuring a new gas-hybrid powertrain, Chinese auto website CnEVPost reports.
The project is unveiled by Geely President and CEO of Zeekr, Andy An, in the parent company’s 2024 interim financial results.
He says the hybrid system uses the gasoline engine at highway speeds while providing full electric propulsion for overall speeds. This is hoped to solve the issue of high battery energy consumption with BEVs in extended-range mode at highway speeds.
However, the most likely reason for Zeekr’s hybrid toe-in-the-water is that even Chinese consumers are turning to the technology that is free from range anxiety.
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