Promotion and Application in Typical Regions and Cities

Abstract

This study examines the promotion and application of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Liuzhou, Foshan, and cold regions. It outlines the development features of the NEV industry in each typical city and region, offering valuable references for local governments and relevant enterprises in advancing the NEV industry.

This study examines the promotion and application of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Liuzhou, Foshan, and cold regions. It outlines the development features of the NEV industry in each typical city and region, offering valuable references for local governments and relevant enterprises in advancing the NEV industry.

9.1 Application in First-Tier Cities

• (1) The remarkable success in promoting NEVs in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen has expedited the process of vehicle electrification.

From the perspective of the promotion of NEVs in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen (Fig. 9.1), as of the end of 2022, Shanghai led with the highest proportion of cumulative access volume of NEVs in China. The total number of accessed NEVs in Shanghai stands at 846,000, accounting for 7% of the total in the country. From the historical electric vehicle adoption rates in first-tier cities, it can be observed that the electric vehicle adoption rates in these cities have experienced varying degrees of improvement in 2022. Shenzhen City has consistently led in electric vehicle adoption rates over the years. By the end of 2022, the electric vehicle adoption rate in Shenzhen reached 18.4%, reflecting a 5.37 percentage point increase from the end of 2021.

Fig. 9.1

Electric vehicle adoption in first-tier cities in 2022. Note ① The size of each bubble indicates the degree of cumulative access volume of NEVs to the National Monitoring and Management Platform as of the end of 2022. ② The electric vehicle adoption rate reflects the proportion of cumulative NEV access volume to the total number of vehicle holding in each city. ③ The data on vehicle holding is derived from the Ministry of Public Security's 2022 statistics on vehicle holding

From the perspective of the NEV accesses in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen over the years (Fig. 9.2), it can be observed that over the past three years, there has been a steady annual increase in the access volume of NEVs in first-tier cities. In particular, Shanghai recorded NEV access volume of 266,000 and 314,000 in 2021 and 2022, respectively, surpassing other cities by a significant margin.

Fig. 9.2

Accesses of NEVs in first-tier cities over the years

• (2) NEVs in Shanghai, Liuzhou, and Foshan boast generally high online rates, reflecting a high level of vehicle usage.

Comparing the NEV online rates among major cities, Shanghai, Liuzhou, and Foshan exhibit a higher level of vehicle usage (Fig. 9.3). In 2022, the overall NEV online rate exceeded 90%. When it comes to the online rates by vehicle type, PHEVs have a generally higher online rate than BEVs. The online rates of BEVs and PHEVs vary greatly among Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

Fig. 9.3

Comparison of the average monthly online rates of NEVs in typical cities in 2022

9.2 Application of NEVs in Cold Regions

9.2.1 Development Status of NEVs in Cold Regions

The continuous progress in the diversification of NEVs and advancements in low-temperature durability technology is elevating consumer acceptance towards NEVs. By the end of 2022, the cumulative number of NEVs accessed in Northeast China, North China, and Northwest China reached 2.252 million, representing 18.6% of the total in the country (Figs. 9.4 and 9.5). In the past three years, the number of NEVs accessed annually in cold regions has shown an upward trend. Notably, North China showed remarkable performance, with an annual access of 466,000 BEVs and 137,000 PHEVs in 2022.

Fig. 9.4

Cumulative access volume of NEVs in cold regions over the years

Fig. 9.5

Structural distribution of cumulative access volume of NEVs across all regions of China

The year 2022 saw a substantial surge in the access volume of NEVs across cities in extremely cold regions. This report divides the extremely cold regions into the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In 2022, the year-on-year growth rate of NEV accesses in major cities in extremely cold regions was more than double the national average year-on-year growth rate (Fig. 9.6), significantly surpassing the national average (1 time). Notably, Siping City, Tonghua City, and Tieling City saw an increase in access volume in 2022 that was over four times higher than the same period in 2021.

Fig. 9.6

Growth of NEV accesses in the top 20 cities across the extremely cold regions in 2022. Note The size of the bubbles represents the degree of annual access volume of NEVs in each city in 2022

In cold regions primarily favor the widespread adoption of BEVs, while PHEVs have a relatively higher share in Northeast China and Northwest China. In contrast to the structural distribution of cumulative NEV accesses in China, North China stands out with a higher proportion of BEVs in its NEV promotion scale, reaching 84.7% due to Beijing's policy mandating the purchase of BEV-buses (Fig. 9.7). In Northeast China and Northwest China, the proportion of BEVs is notably lower than the national average, while PHEVs account for 36.5% and 29.2% of the cumulative access volume, respectively, surpassing the national level. These findings highlight the coexistence of multiple technological roadmaps in the current promotion of NEVs in cold regions.

Fig. 9.7

Proportion of cumulative access volume of NEVs with different hybrid system in cold regions in winter

9.2.2 Operation Characteristics of NEVs in Cold Regions

• (1) Online rate of NEVs

Over the past three years, there has been a consistent increase in the online rate of BEVs in cold regions. The average annual online rate in Northeast China, North China, and Northwest China exceeded 80% in 2022 (Fig. 9.8). The average annual online rate of BEVs in Northeast China by region has been slightly higher than that in North China and Northwest China. One contributing factor is the higher proportion of access volume of operational buses in Northeast China (Fig. 9.9).

Fig. 9.8

Average online rates of BEVs in cold regions over the past three years

Fig. 9.9

Proportion of access volume of BEVs in cold regions over the years

During 2022, the monthly online rate in cold regions surpassed the levels seen in previous years for the same time period. Examining the monthly online rate distribution of BEVs in cold regions over the past three years (Fig. 9.10), it is evident that, except for the beginning of 2020, the monthly online travel of BEVs in cold regions has been favorable and has demonstrated a year-on-year growth trend. During February 2020, the online rate of BEVs was comparatively low. This can be attributed to the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, where authorities advocated for minimizing gatherings and travel, resulting in a lower overall online rate of vehicles.

Fig. 9.10

Monthly online rates of BEVs in cold regions over the past three years

• (2) Reliability of Mileage

There is a strong correlation between the reliability of mileage covered in cities across cold regions during winter and latitude. As latitude increases, the reliability of mileage decreases. Temperature plays a crucial role in determining the reliability of mileage in BEVs. In cold regions during winter, the overall reliability of mileage is influenced by temperature. The reliability of mileage covered in typical cities ranges from 0.6 to 0.7 (Fig. 9.11). During winter, cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Taiyuan, and Shijiazhuang have fewer severe cold weather conditions, leading to higher reliability of vehicle mileage compared to the average (0.648) in cold regions. On the other hand, cities like Harbin and Changchun, affected by higher latitudes, experience lower temperatures and thus have lower reliability of mileage during winter.

Fig. 9.11

Reliability of mileage of BEVs in typical cities across cold regions in January 2022. Note The size of the bubbles represents the level of annual access volume of NEVs in each city

In 2022, the reliability of mileage in cold regions has shown improvement compared to the previous year. In January 2022, the reliability of mileage for BEVs in Northwest China was recorded at 0.677, demonstrating a 3.26% year-on-year growth. Furthermore, both North China and Northeast China experienced a slight improvement in the reliability of mileage for BEVs in 2022 compared to the preceding year (Fig. 9.12). The test evaluation results conducted by DCar in extremely cold regions reveal that from late November to early December 2022, over 60 mainstream models from 34 brands were evaluated. The average range achievement rate for NEVs was 48.5%, with an average driving range of 268 km. These figures represent a 4% and 14% improvement respectively compared to DCar’s winter evaluation results in 2021. Notably, domestically produced vehicle models achieved an average range achievement rate of 49.1%, securing the top three places, while the average range achievement rate for joint-venture brand vehicle models stood at 45.8%. Regarding the charging duration, domestically produced vehicle models have an average fast charging duration to reach full capacity of 107.1 min, while joint-venture vehicle models take 162.3 min, showcasing the noticeable advantage of domestically produced electric vehicles.

Fig. 9.12

Comparison of the reliability of mileage of BEVs in cold regions during winter over the past two years

The reliability of monthly mileage for vehicles of all segments exhibits a “M” shaped distribution, with small cars performing well. The colder winter temperatures result in lower reliability of mileage for vehicles of all segments in cold regions. The overall reliability of mileage remains below 0.7 (Fig. 9.13). Analyzing vehicle models across all segments, the A00 + A0 segment consistently exhibits significantly higher reliability of monthly mileage compared to other segments. Notably, in the months of April, May, and September, the reliability of mileage surpasses 0.9. When compared to larger vehicles, small cars demonstrate superior reliability of mileage due to their lower curb weight. This attribute results in reduced energy consumption for electric accessories, battery heating, and insulation, translating into lower levels of mileage degradation.

Fig. 9.13

Comparison of the reliability of monthly mileage of BEV models in cold regions—by vehicle segment

• (3) Operation characteristics of BEVs in low-temperature environments

The mileage per unit SOC for BEVs in cold regions has been steadily increasing year by year. The analysis of data on newly accessed BEVs over the years (Fig. 9.14) reveals a progressive rise in the average mileage per unit SOC for different types of BEVs during winter. Among them, BEV-passenger cars and BEV-Vehicle for special purpose s display noticeable growth, with BEV-passenger cars experiencing a 5% increase from 2020 to 2022.

Fig. 9.14

Average mileages per unit SOC of BEVs in cold regions during winter over the years. Note The size of the bubbles represents the degree of access volume of BEVs by type in cold regions over the years

The mileage between two charging sessions for BEVs in cold regions during winter exhibits an upward trend, with each passing year. Among them, the mileage covered between two charging cycles for BEV-passenger cars in 2022 witnesses a 27.2% improvement compared to 2020, while BEV-Vehicle for special purpose s show a significant increase of 50.8%. BEV-buses demonstrate a modest growth (Fig. 9.15). The increase in the mileage covered between two consecutive charging sessions for BEVs suggests an improvement in power battery and the integrated cold-weather adaptability technology of the vehicle.

Fig. 9.15

Average mileages covered between two charging sessions for BEVs in cold regions during winter over the years. Note The size of the bubbles represents the degree of access volume of BEVs by type in cold regions over the years

The usage rate of BEV-passenger cars in cold regions remains strong overall, with a slight dip observed during the winter months. The monthly usage rate of BEV-passenger cars in cold regions shows promising performance overall, with a slight decrease during the winter season. However, the vehicle usage rates remain steady and maintain levels above 80% throughout the remaining months. When considering different scenarios, the usage rate of private cars is somewhat influenced during the winter season. However, the usage rate of operational cars for sharing remains largely unaffected, maintaining a monthly rate of roughly 90%. This plays a vital role in expediting the comprehensive electric vehicle adoption in the public domain and achieving terminal energy consumption electrification and cleanliness (Fig. 9.16).

Fig. 9.16

Average monthly usage rates of BEV-passenger cars in cold regions in 2022

• (4) Charging characteristics of BEVs in low-temperature environments

In cold regions, the initial SOC for the winter charging of BEVs is slightly higher than other seasons. By type of vehicle, the initial SOC for average single-time charging of BEV-buses and BEV-Vehicle for special purpose s remains consistent across seasons, as depicted in Figs. 9.17 and 9.18. Operational vehicles primarily charge at fixed times and locations. In contrast, there is a noticeable seasonal difference in the initial SOC for the average single-time charging of BEV-passenger cars. During winter, the average initial SOC for charging is around 39%, which is approximately 4 percentage points higher than the initial SOC for average single-time charging during summer. In the winter season, BEV batteries experience decreased activity, which leads to a decline in charging and discharging performance and subsequently results in a certain reduction in driving range. This situation often results in noticeable range concerns among users.

Fig. 9.17

Initial SOC for average monthly single-time charging of BEVs in cold regions in 2022—by type

Fig. 9.18

Average monthly single-time charging duration of BEVs in cold regions in 2022

In winter, BEVs tend to have longer average single-time charging duration, with BEV-passenger cars being particularly affected. Slow charging is often favored for BEV-passenger cars, resulting in an average single-time charging duration of about 4.5 h during the winter season, which is significantly longer than the 3.8-h charging duration in summer. BEV-Vehicle for special purpose s also experience notable seasonal influences, with a difference of around 0.5 h in average single-time charging duration between winter and other seasons. However, BEV-buses are less impacted due to their fixed operating schedules, leading to more consistent charging durations (Fig. 9.18). Decreased power battery activity is observed in low-temperature settings, prompting certain vehicles’ battery management systems to activate heating features. This, in turn, partially extends the charging duration.

In cold regions, winter sees a higher weekly frequency of charging for BEVs compared to other seasons. The monthly distribution of weekly charging frequencies for BEVs in 2022 shows a carryover effect, as depicted in Fig. 9.19. In January, February, and December, there is a notable increase in weekly charging frequency. This can be primarily attributed to the impact of low temperatures on the vehicles, which affects their actual driving range and necessitates more frequent charging. Cars for sharing, buses, and logistics vehicles in the operational field are known for covering longer mileage during the week. In the winter season, they typically require an average of 8–10 charging sessions per week, which is higher compared to private cars. BEV-private cars tend to have a higher frequency of weekly charging during the winter season, with an average of 3.2 charging sessions per week. This is significantly higher than the average of 2.5 charging sessions per week observed during other seasons.

Fig. 9.19

Weekly charging frequencies per month of BEV-passenger cars in cold regions in 2022

The promotion and adoption of NEVs in cold regions have witnessed a steady expansion. This growth can be attributed to the ever-evolving diversity of products and advancements in cold-weather durability technology, which have contributed to an enhanced user perception and acceptance. The diminished practical driving range of BEVs in cold regions has consistently hindered the seamless user experience of vehicle usage. In recent years, the growing recognition of NEVs among users in cold regions can be attributed to the expanding variety of product offerings and ongoing improvements in cold-weather durability technology. The cumulative access volume of NEVs in cold regions reached 2.252 million by the end of 2022, accounting for 18.6% of the total in China. From the perspective of the operation of BEVs in cold regions, the online rate of BEVs has shown a steady increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average monthly online rate of BEVs in low-temperature areas surpassed the levels of previous years, indicating a gradual move towards regular and stable usage of BEVs.

The decline in driving range under low-temperature conditions remains a problem that requires urgent solutions. It is also a primary focus for OEMs as they prioritize technological advancements to overcome this challenge. While it is inevitable to encounter battery degradation in low-temperature conditions, automotive companies have made notable progress in tackling this issue through technological advancements in recent years. According to the big data analysis of the reliability of BEV mileage, the results indicate that in 2022, the reliability of BEV mileage during winter has seen minor improvements in Northeast China, North China, and Northwest China compared to 2021. Based on the real-world testing results of mainstream vehicle models, there has been a 4% year-on-year improvement in the average range achievement rate of NEVs in extremely cold climate conditions in 2022. Both from the perspective of the big data on reliability of mileage of NEVs and actual evaluations conducted by institutions, the credibility of NEV mileage has improved in 2022 compared to 2021. Within the industry, OEMs place significant emphasis on addressing the winter range issue in cold regions. Breakthroughs in vehicle thermal management technologies have been continuously made and applied. Notably, the IPB regenerative braking system and the wide-temperature range high-efficiency heat pump system are increasingly being utilized, leading to advancements in the reliability and cold-weather performance of NEVs.