01:24 17-01-2026

Great Wall Motor rejects range-extender technology for EVs

Great Wall Motor announces it will not produce range-extender vehicles, citing efficiency losses and misalignment with its strategy for hybrids and EVs.

Great Wall Motor has taken a firm stance against one of the most popular powertrain configurations in the Chinese market, publicly rejecting the use of range-extender technologies.

Key Aspect

Great Wall President Mu Feng stated that the company has no plans to produce range-extender vehicles, either in the short or long term. He explained that this architecture does not demand significant technological expertise and fails to align with the brand's strategic vision.

Technical and Market Details

Mu Feng pointed out that the core issue with such systems lies in their multi-stage energy transfer. The internal combustion engine is not directly connected to the wheels but is used solely to generate electricity, which then undergoes several conversions. As a result, real-world testing data shows efficiency losses of at least 13% at medium and high speeds compared to direct drive systems.

Market Significance

Great Wall's announcement runs counter to the current trend in the Chinese market, where range-extender models are heavily promoted as a compromise between electric vehicles and hybrids. This position underscores the company's focus on more sophisticated and efficient powertrains, including full hybrids and pure electric vehicles.