With the continuous progress of science and technology, new energy vehicles have aroused widespread attention and discussion as a future alternative to traditional fuel vehicles. The development of new energy vehicles is not a linear path, but involves a variety of technical directions, among which electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), extended range hybrid vehicles (REEV) and other different types together constitute a diversified pattern of the new energy vehicle market.
Amid the confusion and diversity of the current technology roadmap, some voices advocate dividing NEVs into two categories, namely EVs that do not emit CO2 and gasoline vehicles that emit CO2. In particular, there is a view that plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and extended-range hybrid vehicles (REEVs) are essentially in the category of gasoline vehicles. The starting point for this view is that these vehicles still rely on internal combustion engines to drive after the battery is depleted, and their emissions and fuel consumption figures are similar to those of conventional combustion vehicles.
With the removal of subsidies for PHEV models in the European Union, a reflection on this view is inevitable. The reason for this is that many PHEV owners do not charge as often as required, resulting in these vehicles being more like traditional fuel vehicles than true new energy vehicles. This situation also exists in the domestic market, especially in the case of the gradual increase in sales of PHEV and REEV models, which further highlights the trust and dependence of consumers on internal combustion engines.
We need to recognize that the development of new energy vehicles is not achieved overnight, and its diversity reflects the multi-faceted needs of the market and technology. A view called "oil-based, electricity-based" attempts to distinguish between blue-brand hybrids and green-brand hybrids to distinguish EVs from new energy vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, such as PHEVs and REEVs. Although subsidies for "vehicles with internal combustion engines" have been eliminated in some regions, the demand for PHEVs and REEVs is on the rise.
For consumers, the intrinsic significance of choosing these "gasoline-electric hybrid" models is to solve some of the pain points of traditional fuel vehicles. Range anxiety is still an issue in EVs, while PHEVs and REEVs offer more consistent range performance with the support of internal combustion engines. At the same time, the battery pack of these models is smaller than that of EVs with large batteries, which improves the safety of the vehicle.
Some controversy still exists about the choice of this "oil-electric hybrid". Especially when the battery pack of the vehicle is declining, the high frequency of the internal combustion engine becomes a problem. Although the fuel consumption of mainstream internal combustion engines is not high, the fuel consumption of PHEV and REEV models is similar, which raises some questions. This has also led to the removal of subsidies for PHEV models in the European Union, because in actual use, many car owners do not charge as often as required, making these vehicles gradually close to traditional fuel vehicles in terms of emissions and fuel consumption.
In the domestic market, sales of PHEVs and REEVs are rising, and some brands have even surpassed EV models in sales. This phenomenon reflects consumers' more reliable perception of new energy vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines. Compared with the purchase of traditional fuel vehicles, consumers who choose PHEV and REEV can enjoy the convenience of electrification while still being able to obtain some policy benefits.
As for the future development of new energy vehicles, especially the positioning of "gasoline-electric hybrid" models such as PHEVs and REEVs, the EU's experience may provide some enlightenment. The removal of subsidies for PHEV models means that the market will gradually phase out "hybrid" models that are more like traditional combustion vehicles. Domestically, some regions have begun to dispense with subsidies for "vehicles with internal combustion engines", and it may be further expanded to other cities in the future. This trend suggests that NEVs with internal combustion engines may eventually be in the same line as conventional combustion engine vehicles.
Although there are some controversies in the actual use of new energy vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, as a transitional option, they are still of positive significance for alleviating the pressure on traditional fuel vehicles. Consumers typically enjoy less range anxiety when choosing this type of vehicle, while the smaller battery pack also improves vehicle safety. The ultimate goal of new energy vehicles should be EVs, because only EVs can truly achieve zero emissions, and the number of electric energy can also be more diversified, including renewable energy sources such as wind power and hydropower.
For the technical selection in the development of new energy vehicles, it is also necessary to pay attention to the once prosperous CNG vehicles, that is, natural gas vehicles. Although natural gas vehicles were once considered an environmentally friendly option that does not burn oil, they were eventually phased out because they still emit carbon dioxide. This experience may provide some lessons for the future development of new energy vehicles, that is, when choosing new energy sources, we need to pay more attention to real environmental benefits, rather than just new technology trends and market needs.
In general, the development of new energy vehicles is a complex and multi-level process, which requires comprehensive consideration of technology, market, policy and other factors. While meeting the needs of different consumers, different types of new energy vehicles also face some challenges and controversies. As society's demand for sustainable transportation continues to increase, the new energy vehicle market will continue to develop and adjust, and truly environmentally friendly and efficient technologies will eventually become mainstream.