Cui Dongshu: In September, 355 new energy vehicle duty-free models were added, and the average battery life of pure electric passenger cars rose to 561 km
The Zhitong Finance App learned that Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the Passenger Transport Association, published an article stating that there were 22,760 models in the duty-free NEV catalogue from January to September 2026, of which 355 new models were new in September, which is at a high level compared to the same period in the past three years. The number of catalogue resources for February-September was similar to the same period in 2025. There were many new passenger car products, few subsidies, and a sluggish market. New trucks have fewer subsidies and a better market. 355 new models were added to the duty-free catalogue in September, a sharp drop from 652 models in August. By category: There are only 65 models of passenger cars, and the number of pure electric, plug-in, and range extension declarations has been reduced simultaneously; there are only 7 models of buses, which have cooled down significantly. Special vehicles were the main force for the month, with a total of 283 models, including 266 pure electric vehicles, accounting for more than 70% of the total number of models in that month. The model declaration structure in September was clearly divided. The pace of declarations for new passenger and bus vehicles slowed down, and special vehicles were still the core support for the purchase tax exemption catalogue.
In September, 16 models were added to the electric model exchange catalogue, which was the same as the August 16 model. By category, only 1 pure electric model of passenger car was declared, and sales continued to be sluggish; 15 special vehicles contributed, all of which were pure electric models, and were the absolute main force in this month's electricity exchange catalogue.
The average battery life of pure electric passenger cars reached 561 km in September, continuing to increase from 544 km in August; the total range of 500 km or more accounted for 87%. The average weight of pure electric models in September 2026 was 2007 kg, far higher than the same period in previous years, and the battery capacity of new cars remained high. The average weight of a hybrid vehicle in the narrow sense is 2223 kg, which is relatively heavy.
New medium and large products above 5 meters were reported intensively, and the extended range racetrack was outstanding. Major range extended-range models such as the Xiaomi Pengcheng N90, the Wenjie M9T/M8EV, the Xiangjie S9T, the Qijing GX7, the Aika V27, and the Dongfeng Warrior X70 were showcased. On the pure electric side, flagship models such as Tensei N8/N9, Ideal i9, Xiaopeng G9L, and Weipai V9X were declared. The battery capacity generally exceeded 100 kWh, and battery life moved towards 700 km+ or even 900 km+. Larger models generally weigh more than 2.5 tons. Extended range pure electric battery life continues to rise, and plug-in hybrid models have also been upgraded to longer pure electric battery life. The trend of high-end is obvious.
1. Overall status of the 2026 duty-free catalogue
From January to September 2026, there are a total of 2,760 NEV duty-free models. Of these, there were 355 new models in September, which is at a high level compared to the same period in the past three years. The number of catalogue resources for February-September was similar to the same period in 2025. There were many new passenger car products, few subsidies, and a sluggish market. New trucks have fewer subsidies and a better market.
The catalogue of new energy vehicles has gradually been enriched in recent years. The 2024-2026 catalogue of new energy passenger vehicles should be said to be large in total. With the release of tax-free vehicle purchase targets, high-end new vehicle products for new energy vehicles are still booming this year.
2. Changes in the power structure of new cars
Due to the high hydrogen fuel subsidy factor, the performance of hydrogen energy commercial vehicles was strong in the early stages, and hydrogen energy has weakened both domestically and internationally recently. Recently, hydrogen fuel for passenger cars can be ignored or not cared about; there is no room for development in the short term.
355 new models were added to the duty-free catalogue in September, a sharp drop from 652 models in August. By category: There are only 65 models of passenger cars, and the number of pure electric, plug-in, and range extension declarations has been reduced simultaneously; there are only 7 models of buses, which have cooled down significantly. Special vehicles were the main force for the month, with a total of 283 models, including 266 pure electric vehicles, accounting for more than 70% of the total number of models in that month. The model declaration structure in September was clearly divided. The pace of declarations for new passenger and bus vehicles slowed down, and special vehicles were still the core support for the purchase tax exemption catalogue.
3. Tracking the model of the electric car
In September, 16 models were added to the electric model exchange catalogue, which was the same as the August 16 model. By category, only 1 pure electric model of passenger car was declared, and sales continued to be sluggish; 15 special vehicles contributed, all of which were pure electric models, and were the absolute main force in this month's electricity exchange catalogue. Compared with historical data, the main players in the field of electric vehicle exchanges have been the main players in the field of special vehicles for a long time. The overall number of new passenger car models added in September remained low, and the introduction of new products in the industry was cautious.
4. 2026 range of pure electric passenger cars
The average battery life of pure electric passenger cars reached 561 km in September, continuing to increase from 544 km in August; the total range of 500 km or more accounts for 87%, of which 500-599 km accounts for 32% of the largest range, and greater than 700 km accounts for 25%. The trend of long-term battery life is clear. The average battery life of the hybrid in the narrow sense rose to 182 km, accounting for 57% of the 200-249 km range, making it the main segment. The average battery life increase is 229 kilometers, with 200-249 kilometers accounting for 43% of the maximum range. Overall, all three types of technology routes have moved to higher battery life ranges, and the trends of high-end pure electricity, plug-in mixing, and long-range battery life are being strengthened simultaneously.
5. Vehicle maintenance quality for new energy vehicles in 2026
The average weight of a pure electric model in September 2026 was 2007 kg, a slight decrease from 2052 kg in August, but it is still higher than the same period in previous years, and the battery capacity of new cars remains high. The average weight of a hybrid vehicle in the narrow sense was 2,223 kg, down 72 kg from 2294 kg in September. The average vehicle weight of the extended-range model was 2,498 kg, up 151 kg from 2346 kg in September. Overall, the average maintenance quality of new pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extended-range cars in September was still in the high range, and the characteristics of long battery life configurations driving up the vehicle's weight are obvious.
In September, pure electric models accounted for 91% of the 2000kg range, becoming the absolute main force. Lightweight models accounted for an extremely low proportion, and the average vehicle weight remained high. Mixed models in the narrow sense account for 79% of the 2000kg range, which is the core weight segment. Extended range models account for 57% of the 3000 kg range, and 43% of the 2000 kg range, dominated by heavy models. As can be seen from the structure, new cars declared in September are generally focused on the 2-ton class. Pure electricity is concentrated in the 2-ton class, and the plug-in mix is mainly 2 tons. The growth range has greatly exceeded 3 tons. Long battery life and large capacity batteries continue to improve the vehicle's maintenance quality.
6. Battery energy density
The average energy density of batteries for pure electric models in September was 143 Wh/kg, flat compared to 143 Wh/kg in August. The 130-140 Wh/kg range accounted for the highest proportion, making it the mainstream range. The average energy density of mixing in the narrow sense was 134 Wh/kg, unchanged from 134 Wh/kg in August, and 130 Wh/kg accounted for 50%, making it the absolute main force. The average energy density of extended-range models was 137 Wh/kg, down from 147 Wh/kg in August, and the 130 Wh/kg range accounted for 43%. Overall, the energy density of new car batteries declared in September has entered a stable platform period. The energy density of plug-in hybrid batteries has increased significantly, and the pace of iteration of pure electric technology has slowed down.
7. Comprehensive comparison of various models in 2026
There are 121 pure electric models in the 34th batch catalogue, with an average length of 4823 mm, a maintenance quality of 2036 kg, battery power of 74 kWh and energy density of 148 Wh/kg. As battery life increases, battery capacity and vehicle weight increase simultaneously; 33 extended-range models, with an average length of 5097 mm, a maintenance mass of 2523 kg, and a battery power of 54 kWh; 32 narrowly mixed models, with an average length of 4995 mm and a maintenance quality of 2,297 kg. Long-range models are generally larger in size and heavier. The electricity consumption for 100 kilometers of pure electric power is stable at 12 degrees, and the increased range and fuel consumption of plug-in fuel is maintained at 6L, reflecting the energy consumption characteristics of large new energy models.
Analysis of pure electric passenger cars below 8. 5 meters
The 34th batch of catalogues in September was rich in new products. Pure electric is still the main force. At the same time, a number of major extended-range models were unveiled, including the Xiaomi Surge N70, Wanjie M6, Roewe Jiayue 07, Aika V25, Polar Fox αS5, and FAW Yueyi 08. Vehicle companies such as BYD (01211), Volkswagen, Geely (00175), Jihu, and Changan (000625.SZ) have declared a large number of models. The battery life of new pure electric products is generally over 500 km, and some models have exceeded 800 km; the battery capacity of extended-range models has been greatly increased, and the battery life of pure electric models has generally reached more than 150 km. Model sizes cover the compact to medium to large range. The proportion of large and high battery life models has increased, and technology iterations focus on battery capacity and battery life upgrades.
Tracking new cars over 9. 5 meters
In the 34th batch, medium and large new products above 5 meters were reported intensively, and the extended range racetrack was outstanding. Major range extended-range models such as the Xiaomi Pengcheng N90, Wanjie M9T/M8EV, Xiangjie S9T, Qijing GX7, Aika V27, and Dongfeng Mengshi X70 were showcased. On the pure electric side, flagship models such as Tensei N8/N9, Ideal i9, Xiaopeng G9L, and Weipai V9X were declared. The battery capacity generally exceeded 100 kWh, and battery life moved towards 700 km+ or even 900 km+. Larger models generally weigh more than 2.5 tons. Extended range pure electric battery life continues to rise, and plug-in hybrid models have also been upgraded to longer pure electric battery life. The trend of high-end is obvious.