The most exciting EVs are coming from China – the 5 biggest brands to watch in 2024
The numbers don't lie: China is an absolute powerhouse of an EV maker. Figures from 2022 suggest that 6.8 million electric vehicles were sold in the domestic market in that twelve-month period, while North America, which still clings to the title of world superpower, managed around 800,000 in the same period.
There are numerous fiscal arguments about how this happened, from government incentives and subsidies to the decision to take action on the air pollution problem and break the country's dependence on imported oil. But whatever your political beliefs, there's no denying that China is a big early adopter of electric cars.
The country knew it couldn't compete with the establishment in combustion engine technology, so it bet big on electric cars, even though they were an obscure, niche sentiment. It looks like the gamble paid off.
So much so, that the European Commission has launched an investigation into the 'flood' of cheap Chinese electric vehicles entering its markets. Tariffs could be imposed on Chinese imports to ensure that 'legacy' carmakers, such as German giants Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen Group, are not priced out by competitors.
A similar step has been taken by the US government, which has changed its federal tax credit program so that it now only applies to electric vehicles that source most of their raw materials domestically and are ultimately assembled in North America or other countries . with which the US has free trade agreements.
This is a direct response to trade with 'Foreign Entities of Concern' (FEOC), namely North Korea, Russia, Iran and, you guessed it, China.
These types of government interventions mean that many Chinese start-ups still wallow in relative obscurity in many other markets. That's a shame, because there is a lot of innovation to get excited about. But that could change.
With that in mind, here are the five Chinese EV brands you've probably never heard of… and why you should pay attention.
1.Xpeng
There isn't much that Guangzhou Xiaopeng Automotive Technology, or Xpeng for short, isn't working on right now. Luxury electric SUVs, Tesla fighter sedans and even advanced electric vertical take-off and landing craft. That's right, people are already thinking much further than the car as an essential means of transport in the city.
But back on terra firma, the brand is already heading into certain European markets, which have enjoyed the P7 electric sedan, which offers an electric range of 706 km (438 miles) – performance that will happily embarrass a Porsche 911 – and advanced levels of self-driving technology.
Additionally, the brand recently unveiled its flagship G9 luxury SUV, which cleverly houses advanced LiDAR systems in its all-singing, all-dancing LED headlights, 800V fast-charging architecture, and equally impressive electric range as its sedan sibling .
The interior is adorned with grandiose materials, while the infotainment systems run Xmart OS, the brand's in-house operating system that enables over-the-air updates, advanced voice assistants and remote parking.
This operating system has been updated several times in China, introducing AI-powered assistants, higher levels of autonomous driving functionality and remote summon technology.
To think that Mercedes-Benz is only now waxing lyrical about its MB.OS, which we'll have to wait until next year to see and finally achieve its full potential.
2. YangWang
If you can stop giggling at the name for a moment, you'll discover that YangWang is the luxury arm of Chinese auto giant BYD, itself a prominent producer of excellent electric vehicles.
The U9 is the company's attempt at becoming a true all-electric supercar, and in addition to looking good, it also features technology that will raise eyebrows. Most relevant is the car's ability to jump… like a cat on a hot tin roof.
That's right, the brand's DiSus-X 'body control system' features advanced hydraulics, similar to those we witnessed at Porsche's recent Panamera preview event, allowing it to crouch down and leap into the air.
YangWang says the same technology also makes it possible to drive on just three wheels, which is slightly crazy, but still comforting to know.
Aside from the flashy gimmicks, the U9 features quad electric motors with a combined power of 808 kW, which equates to more than 1,000 hp. It is the second vehicle to wear the YangWang badge, after the equally powerful U8 SUV.
Parent company BYD said at a press conference that the U9 would cost around 1 million yuan in its home market, which is the equivalent of around $140,000 / £110,000 / AUS$211,000. That's a lot of hassle for the money.
3. Zeekr
Okay, so anyone with even a little finger on the wrist of modern EVs will have heard of Zeekr, another subsidiary of China's Goliath Geely Automobile Holdings (Volvo, Lotus, LEVC taxis and more).
Sales in Europe are already soaring, thanks to a lineup of cute urban crossovers and stylish shooting brakes (who said estates were dead?), while Geely has announced its intentions to capture the North American audience in the near future to win. .
Once again, Zeekr is laying the groundwork with its EV offering, starting with the generous range, which easily reaches the 400-mile mark in long-range, rear-wheel drive 001 models. Performance is understandably punchy too, with variants offering power in excess of 500bhp. There is even a 001 FR model that produces 1,265 hp.
Designed to take on Tesla's all-conquering Model S, the Zeekr 001 offers much of the same performance, range and interior technology, but at a fraction of the asking price in Europe.
The company is offering a larger 009 model in China, while it has already unveiled the 007, which it claims will be the first model offered in the mainstream market.
The price? Well, it's rumored to cost around $32,200 / £25,000 / AUS$48,000, despite the mid-size sedan easily taking on similarly sized (and much more expensive) rivals from Audi, Mercedes-Benz and more.
4. Wuling
Much of the excitement surrounding China's booming EV industry stems from its forward-thinking approach to technology. This has prompted tech giant Huawei to make a car, for example, and the country also produces powerful and road trip-friendly machines at a wallet-friendly price.
But Wuling is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, producing a small city car that costs around $4,500 / £3,500 / AUS$6,650. As a result, it easily outsells the Tesla Model 3 in its domestic market.
Wuling and its Hongguang Mini EV are actually a joint venture between General Motors and China's largest automaker SAIC Motors, which has produced a runaround even smaller than a Fiat 500. Its easily accessible asking price has made it a hit with inner-city youth , loves freedom without the associated costs.
Again, there's little talk of it being sold further afield, but an updated version of the Hongguang was launched in Indonesia late last year and immediately became the best-selling EV there, beating Hyundai to the likes of Genesis, Lexus and more caught up.
5. Nio
While Nio may be one of the more established EV brands from China (join it alongside BYD and Zeekr), it is still very much on the rise. It joins a crowd of Chinese startups that continue to undermine Tesla's success in their domestic market and beyond.
Nio recently stated that this is the case would not be dragged into a price war with Teslasticking to its guns and offering what it believes is a premium product at a reasonable price.
So far, early reviews of numerous Nio products, such as the ET5 sedan (a car made in Europe for Europe), have been largely positive and support the bold pricing, with Coach suggesting it's a credible competitor to the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3.
Back in Shanghai, Nio is offering a tempting range that includes sleek SUVs, coupes, estates and the dazzling EP9 performance car that, although only sold in very limited numbers, proved that a start-up could make electric motoring exciting.
Beyond its range of stylish, tech-filled EVs, it's Nio's innovations in customer experience that intrigue. The Nio Power battery swapping technology, while not entirely innovative, is the first of its kind to be properly deployed and available for public use.
The system can replace an entire EV battery in less than five minutes, with the vehicle handling the entire process autonomously. Just drive to one of the battery swapping stations and let Nio's technology do the hard work.
Not only does this help the owner with any range issues, it also lowers the cost of owning an EV because Nio leases the battery (one of the most expensive parts of an EV) to the customer, rather than leaving it at the sticker to bundle. price.