BYD is no stranger to the electric vehicle (EV) game. It has continually been at the forefront of technical developments since its founding in 1995. BYD’s status as a market pioneer for electric vehicles has been cemented by innovations including the Blade Battery, DM-i Super Hybrid System, e-Platform 3.0, CTB Technology, e4 Platform, and the DiSus Intelligent Body Control System, which have raised the bar for the sector.
With the emphasis on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) which became part of a national policy in China in 2009, the carmakers in the country quickly began work on making the transition to electrified vehicles. Great Wall Motors (GWM), with its leadership in SUVs in China, worked hard to develop NEVs within its brands.
At Auto Shanghai 2023 this week, the carmaker is displaying a range of NEVs from its five major brands -HAVAL, TANK, ORA, POER, and WEY. This is to demonstrate its aim of a major player in the race to be the next leader in the field.
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Following the signing of its General Distributorship Agreement (GDA) with smart last month, Proton has established a new subsidiary company to handle sales and distributorship for the smart vehicles which are available only with battery electric powertrains.
The new company, known as Proton New Energy Technology Sdn. Bhd. (PRO-NET), will also be responsible for Proton’s own future new energy vehicle (NEV) offerings. ‘NEV’ is a term which originated in China around 2010 and refers to vehicles which are electrified (including plug-in hybrids). The category was created to facilitate the provision of incentives to boost development and sales of electrified vehicles.
There were electric vehicles 100 years ago; in fact, even Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, drove and electrically-powered car because it was easy to start and had no transmission. However, battery technology at that time was not advanced and poor performance made electric cars unappealing, allowing cars with internal combustion engines to grow and then dominate the planet. With poor interest in electric cars, the manufacturers stopped developing them and would not consider them again till the 21st century.
During the 100 years, many technological advances have been made and in the past 20 years especially, battery technology – an important element for electric vehicles (EVs) – has advanced greatly. The incentive to accelerate technological development has been the tightening of emission regulations, especially in the more developed nations, which has forced carmakers to start switching to emission-free powertrains. There is urgency as well due to climate change, with exhaust emissions of motor vehicles being identified as one of the causes.
The technology and manufacturing processes for the internal combustion engine (ICE) have been developed over more than 100 years so production costs have stabilized and as volumes grew, economies of scale kept pushing the costs down. EV technology is relatively young and the volume of EVs has not reached a point where economies of scale have fully kicked in. As such, the technologies – which are still evolving and advancing – are still expensive and EVs equivalent to ICE vehicles are still more expensive.
In order for EVs to be adopted by more people, the auto industry expects governments to help. Obviously, funding cannot be provided directly but the prices to buyers can be offset by subsidies. The lowering of retail prices can then attract motorists to consider them, while other elements like infrastructure and performance continue to get better.
Many countries have subsidies for EV buyers and the nature of the subsidy varies. Typically, there is a fixed sum provided based on the price although in Malaysia, from this year, the government has decided to exempt battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from duties and other taxes and even the annual roadtax will not be charged. It’s a bold move but it does not necessarily bring prices down below RM100,000 so a large segment of the population will still not find it easy to buy one. And there is no point using the argument of ‘saving the planet’ because many Malaysians today have to save themselves and their families from financial difficulties, so they certainly won’t care to pay more for their car.
China, as the world’s largest car market, has had an incentive program since 2009 when it introduced subsidies for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), ie BEVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs). The NEV program actually began in the 1980s but the incentive policy only began in 2009, with nationwide adoption from 2013. To qualify for subsidies, the vehicles must meet minimum technical and performance requirements, and the size of the subsidy is indexed to a variety of vehicle specifications and utility parameters. Every few years, the qualification criteria have been tightened, forcing manufacturers to push their technology further.
By the end of 2020, the NEV push had resulted in 4.92 million NEVs being put on China’s roads, or 1.75% of the vehicle population. The number almost meets the 5 million target set in 2013 and having reached this level, the government now believes that acceptance has been achieved and NEVs are in the mainstream of the car market. This year NEVs are expected to account for 18% of all vehicle sales in China (13% greater than in 2019) and add another 5 million NEVs according to industry forecasts.
And with that target achieved, it has now decided that subsidies can be phased out completely. In fact, in April 2020, there was already an indication of this when it was announced that subsidies would be reduced by 20% in 2021. This year, the cut will be 30%, after which there will be no more subsidies provided from January 1, 2023.
The subsidies have typically applied to vehicles costing less than RMB300,000 (about RM197,130). A typical subsidy has been around RMB18,000 (about RM11,800), and in 2022, it will fall to around RMB14,400 (about RM9,500).
The domestic carmakers have already reached large volumes that allow them to have economies of scale. BYD, an early EV manufacturer, was already doing over 753,000 EVs in 2019, second after world leader Tesla which sold 900,000 EVs.
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Before the passenger car segment started to mushroom from the mid-1980s as China liberalised economically, its auto industry was largely focussed on commercial vehicles. As such vehicles are used for business purposes, appearances have not been particularly important to customers while ruggedness has been. So China’s trucks have generally remained in the background but not necessarily stagnant with regards to evolution and development.
And just as with their passenger cars, the domestic manufacturers have also been looking ahead to a new generation of commercial vehicles. Recently, Geely Holding Group’s commercial vehicle brand, Farizon Auto, unveiled its next-generation smart new energy semi-truck with production and first deliveries planned for early 2024.
Known as the Homtruck, the exterior appearance will be futuristic – certainly nothing like what is seen on the roads today – and it will be one of the most advanced and cleanest commercial vehicles on the road. The focus of the vehicle’s development has been on efficiency, driver and pedestrian safety, with major breakthroughs in sustainable powertrains promised.
The Homtruck’s architecture can accommodate different powertrain options including a range-extender, methanol hybrid and pure electric with battery-swapping option based on government standards recently released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Technology. This will allow the Homtruck to be charged at service stations alongside highways in minutes rather than a substantial amount of time.
The name of the vehicle is taken from ‘home’ and it reflects the development team’s aim of providing operators of the semi-truck a feeling of home. This is important as semi-truck drivers – not only in China but around the world – spend large amounts of time in their vehicles going from place to place. In fact, many may spend more time in their vehicle than at their own home.
This has led to the creation of a mobile space within the Homtruck which integrates ‘work, life, and entertainment’, all to help the driver carry out his role efficiently and comfortably. To do this, Farizon Auto’s engineers closely studied the needs of independent commercial vehicle drivers and fleet operators.
The Homtruck is capable of connecting to the logistics network’s big data platforms to help drivers obtain the most optimal orders in real-time, analyse and track deliveries, and calculate operating costs along the routes. An on-board ‘brain’ can utilize vehicle sensors to analyse traffic data in real-time and receive route recommendations. In addition, the energy management system can also manage the power or fuel supply to achieve the most optimal economic performance, with recommendations for optimal refuelling or recharging routes.
Driver comfort is vital to driver safety; well-rested drivers are more attentive and more focused. Based on analysis of the working conditions of drivers, Farizon Auto has designed a cockpit that applies the concept of home and optimizes space to create a driving and a living area. The design includes a bathroom complete with a shower and toilet, single bed, refrigerator, tea-maker, kitchen, and even a small washing machine. No more sleeping in the cold under the truck!
The ergonomic seat design and high-definition camera help ensure drivers are well-rested and well-focused, while an intelligent AI assistant coupled with full 360-degree cameras help to keep the driver aware of any issues around the vehicle whilst in motion or stationary. As a further association with home, the Homtruck’s cabin has soft-touch fabrics, sustainable plastics, and bamboo grain materials to create a healthy eco-friendly environment inspired by the peaceful bamboo forests of China.
Within a growing number of selected routes, the Homtruck will be able to utilize Level 4 hands-off autonomous operation and will also introduce convoying features for longer journeys. This can allow trucks to communicate with each other to maintain safe speed and distance that will lower operator stress levels. Hardware sensors such as lidar, millimetre-wave radar and ultrasonic radar will be standard equipment along with 5G and V2X communication. The Homtruck will also be fully capable of being upgraded overtime using Over-the-Air (OTA) software upgrades.
Moving forward with the technology for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) is vital for carmakers operating in China as the government’s industry development plan from 2021 to 2035 aims to boost this segment of the world’s largest automobile market. BYD (Build Your Dreams) has been among the leaders in electric vehicles (EVs) and is preparing for a new range of products with a dedicated platform.
Known as the ‘e-platform 3.0’, it will be used for vehicles of varying sizes and will be open to the industry to facilitate the development of intelligent EVs worldwide. Equipped with ultra-safe blade batteries integrated into the car body, the e-platform 3.0 is the basis of a special pure electric vehicle frame structure to increase the rigidity of the vehicle.
5-minute charge = 150 kms range
The new platform enables ranges claimed to be able to exceed 1,000 kms with the world’s first 8-in-1 electric powertrain. In addition, the world’s first fast charging technology enables a range up to 150 kms after just 5 minutes of charging. The original designed direct cooling and heating system for batteries increases the thermal efficiency by up to 20% while reducing energy loss.
Additionally, the heat pump system which can work at temperatures from -30℃ to 60℃, has increased the range by up to 20% in winter, since the system leverages the residual heat from surroundings, the powertrain, passenger compartment and even the batteries. Finally, there’s an electric AWD system that will enable a 0 – 100 km/h time claimed to be 2.9 seconds. The energy consumption is said to be comparable to that of 2WD vehicles.
Ocean-X concept
To present the e-platform 3.0, BYD designers came up with the Ocean-X concept, a mid-size sporty sedan with high performance. Featuring short overhangs and a long wheelbase, the Ocean-X has generous passenger space, while the low body helps in aerodynamic efficiency, bring the drag coefficient down to 0.21 Cd.
The e-platform 3.0, which encompasses the drivetrain, braking, and steering systems, was originally developed in 2018. It uses the industry’s first drive train domain controller which has been developed through the full utilization of the electric motors’ fast response (already applied to the EA1 model). BYD has independently developed the BYD OS which decouples hardware and software, offering a superior collaboration system for high levels of intelligent driving.
THE BYD STORY
Like many of the carmakers in China, BYD has a history that goes back only to the pate 20th century. It was established in 1995 with just 20 employees and focussed on rechargeable batteries. Its timing was good as demand or mobilephones and portable electronic devices began to rocket in the 1990s. By 2005, BYD was China’s largest battery manufacturer and produced half of the mobilephone batteries on the world market.
BYD describes itself as a high-tech company which has a presence in industries related to electronics, automobiles, new energy and rail transit. To enter the automobile market, it acquired Qinchuan Automobile Company in 2002 which became BYD Auto. Its focus on electrically-powered vehicles complemented its leadership in battery production, and in 2003, it produced its first car. 5 years later, its F3DM was the first commercially-produced plug-in hybrid in the world.
The carmaker got a boost in 2008 when one of the richest men in the world, Warren Buffett, became a shareholder, paying US$232 million for an 8.2% through his company Berkshire Hathaway. Its share in the Chinese company is even higher than in General Motors which is 3.7%.
Today BYD Auto’s EV is very broad and includes buses, taxis, coaches and passenger cars, as well as logistics, construction and sanitation vehicles. Its products are sold in more than 50 countries and regions. In the USA, its 4-year old factory making electric buses is the largest of its type wholly owned by a Chinese company.
Last year, in support of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, BYD established the world’s largest facemask factory in India. It can produce 5 million facemasks, as well as 3 million disinfectant bottles, every day.
According to available data for EV Sales, in July 2021, BYD returned to the top of the global NEV sales in a single month after 26 months, surpassing Volkswagen to claim third place in terms of cumulative sales from January to July. After hitting the 50,000-unit mark, BYD’s monthly new-energy passenger vehicle sales continue to grow, positioning BYD as a dominant player in terms of market share.
With a total of 1.361 million vehicles sold in 2019, Geely Auto retains its position as the bestselling Chinese brand for a third consecutive year. The achievement was helped by strong December sales which saw a 39.3% increase year-on-year to 130,036 units. The total volume includes sales of Lynk & Co vehicles sold by the Group’s 50%-owned joint venture).
During 2019, sales of Geely’s New Energy Vehicles increased significantly with total sales of 113,067 units, a year-on-year increase of 68.6%, becoming a new driving force for the carmaker’s growth. A total of 57,991 vehicles were exported in 2019, a year-on-year increase of 110.6% which suggests that Geely Auto is accelerating its expansion in overseas markets.
Geely grew as domestic market declined
Geely’s growth can be considered impressive when seen in the context of the dual pressure of a global economic downturn and adjustment in the automotive industry. As China’s domestic auto market declined sharply in 2019, Geely Auto actively strengthened its global competitiveness. An example was Geely Auto’s Belarus joint venture plant which saw its 20,000th vehicle produced.
A notable development during the year was the launch of a new high-end pure electric brand called Geometry. This is part of a 3-prong product development strategy through Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, and Geometry. The product matrix of these brands has continued to be upgraded in the direction of high quality, high tech, high value.
Looking ahead in 2020
In 2020, Geely Auto says it will continue to implement its development strategy with stability as a focus and has set the annual target for 1.41 million units, 3.6% higher than for 2019. The company sees this year as a key year to advance its brand and technology with 6 new products to be launched, including the second BMA architecture-based SUV from Geely Auto, the Icon. Other models known to be in the pipeline are the first mid-size SUV from Geely Auto (codenamed VX11), a new coupe SUV based on the CMA architecture, the Lynk & Co 05, and G13, the codename for the second pure electric model from Geometry.
“The global automotive market is facing an unprecedented change not seen in over a century. Challenges and opportunities exist side by side. With the market as the battlefield, Geely Auto will take user demand as a guide, products as our core, and market share as our goal. We will adhere to a high-quality development strategy, maintain our footing on the uncertain road, compete on technology and brand, accelerate our global expansion, push Chinese manufacturing up the global value chain, and raise the level of Chinese auto brand in the world,” said An Conghui, President of Geely Holding Group, CEO and President of Geely Auto Group.
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