China's NEVs Are Going on a Diet

Published: Jun 10, 2026 11:15

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Data shows that in 2024, the average curb weight of China's passenger cars reached 1,704 kg, nearly 400 kg heavier than in 2012. Additionally, around the year 2000, common household NEVs on the market mostly had a width of around 1.7 meters. In 2015, the width increased to 1.8 meters. This week, household vehicles that often weigh close to 2 tons are sparking discussions due to their growing size and weight. Automaker engineers state that for every 10 mm increase in the width of an NEV's auto body, approximately 0.8 kWh more electricity can be packed in. However, experts say that vehicles becoming "fatter" is not solely due to this reason. Experts explain: Some automakers use driving range as a selling point, claiming that their cars can travel 800 or 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. In fact, behind this is the need to install a large battery pack inside the vehicle, which may weigh 700 to 800 kg. On January 1 this year, a mandatory national standard for EVs was officially implemented. For any new car model failing to meet energy consumption standards, the MIIT will not grant registration; the vehicle cannot be produced, sold, or licensed, guiding automakers to curb the growing trend of "obesity" in EVs. In the future, NEVs may hopefully return to standard dimensions.

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