Unconsciously, it is the last month of 2023, and at the end of each year, there will be many friends who plan to buy a new car. However, many friends have the demand for long-distance driving, and hybrid new energy vehicles are in the current market pattern, and there are two solutions on the market, that is, plug-in hybrid and extended range, and at this time, they can't escape the fate of plug-in hybrid and extended range being compared by netizens. So, who is better between plug-in hybrid and range extension?
Let's talk about extended-range cars first, which are different from traditional electric vehicles with their unique way of enhancing their range. This model is equipped with an engine and additional fuel tanks. When the battery is low, the engine does not drive the wheels, but acts as a fuel-burning "power bank". At high speeds, the power consumption of a range-extender car is fast, so the engine needs to increase the power and run at full load to produce enough power, which leads to an increase in fuel consumption at high speeds.
It is important to know that when the battery of the extended-range vehicle is exhausted, the vehicle equipped with the extended-range power uses the fuel engine to provide power to the motor, but the energy conversion efficiency of the extended-range hybrid is relatively low, so in terms of fuel consumption, the vehicle with the extended-range power will be higher than the model with the plug-in hybrid. To put it simply, range-extended power and plug-in hybrid represent two technical routes: "mechanical hybrid" and "electric hybrid".
However, many people may have a question, that is, it seems that most manufacturers on the market use the range extender solution, obviously plug-in hybrid is better, why is this?In fact, the reason is very simple, the entry threshold and cost of the extended-range power technology are relatively low, its structure is simple, and it is easy to be quickly accepted by consumers.
However, when it comes to choosing between extended-range power and plug-in hybrids, the key question is whether it is better for the engine to be used only for power generation, or whether the direct-drive mode should be retained. Traditional automakers and emerging automakers have different views on this. Traditional car companies usually tend to use the series-parallel mode, so that the engine can directly drive the wheels while generating electricity. Emerging car manufacturers, on the other hand, prefer a range extender, where the engine is only responsible for generating electricity and the vehicle is fully powered by an electric motor.
In fact, it's easy to see why new EV manufacturers are opting for plug-in hybrid technology, which is simpler in structure. Compared with traditional car companies, the foundation of emerging car manufacturers is relatively weak, and the plug-in hybrid system has higher technical requirements and more complex structure. Plug-in hybrid technology requires the use of a hybrid-specific engine and various engine technologies in terms of engines, as well as the use of electric motors. For example, when to involve the engine and when to use series, parallel or direct drive are all questions that need to be considered by car companies. Therefore, it is difficult to properly master plug-in hybrid technology without strong technology accumulation. Due to its simple structure and small technical requirements, the range extension technology is widely adopted by emerging car manufacturers.
Like BYD's DM-i super hybrid technology, it enjoys a high reputation in the industry. In recent years, BYD Auto's sales have exploded, with plug-in hybrid models becoming the main force. In addition to the advantages of its working mode, the excellent product quality and quality control ability of BYD DM-i super hybrid system are also important reasons for its support from many users.
Unlike other car companies, which focus on the "engine-based, electric drive supplemented" model, BYD's DM-i super hybrid system pays more attention to the application of electric drive. This means that models equipped with the system are closer to pure electric vehicles, with better fuel economy and lower tailpipe emissions, providing consumers with a more environmentally friendly and economical travel option. For example, models such as the BYD Qin DM-i, Tang DM-i, and Song Pro DM-i are highly sought after in the market and are loved by consumers.
Of course, the reason for BYD's outstanding achievements in the field of plug-in hybrid technology is its deep cultivation in the field over the years and the hard work of countless scientific researchers. The BYD brand's forward-looking outlook for the future also provides strong support for it to stand out in the current highly competitive domestic new energy vehicle market. From BYD's successful experience, we can see that a successful car company must really focus on technology research and development and innovation. Although marketing methods can bring short-term benefits to enterprises, in the long run, only by mastering the core technology can we be invincible in the future new energy vehicle market.
For car companies, it is crucial to focus on technology research and development, continuous innovation, and improve product quality and user experience. Only in this way can we gain the trust and recognition of consumers in the increasingly fierce market competition, so as to achieve long-term business success.