Summary of Key Points
New energy vehicles (NEVs) are becoming increasingly heavy due to the large batteries required for extended range. Some models weigh over 3 tons, which is comparable to that of light trucks, leading to consumer complaints about the fairness of not having to pay for road maintenance fees. Industry experts are calling for weight reduction, and policies are also being implemented to limit vehicle weight through national standards for energy consumption. However, automakers lack the motivation to reduce weight on their own (consumers value range more), and lightweighting technologies have limited effectiveness. The ultimate solution may lie in breakthroughs in battery technology (such as solid-state batteries) or tax reforms that make heavier vehicles bear more of the social costs.
Why Have NEVs Become Such Heavy Vehicles?
The root cause of the increased weight in NEVs is the low energy density of their batteries. Gasoline has a very high energy density; a fuel vehicle only needs 45 kilograms (about 60 liters) of gasoline to travel 500 kilometers, while a pure electric vehicle requires 400-600 kilograms of battery to achieve the same range—more than ten times the weight. To accommodate larger batteries, automakers also have to enhance other components: using heavier motors for power and thicker suspensions, brakes, and tires to support the additional weight, creating a vicious cycle where heavy batteries lead to heavier accessories, which in turn result in heavier vehicles.
For example, the electric Hummer, equipped with a 200-kilowatt-hour battery (weighing about 1 ton), has a total weight of 4 tons and consumes 40 kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 kilometers, resulting in an actual range of less than 600 kilometers—the extra weight negates the benefits of the larger battery. In terms of vehicle types, extended-range vehicles are the heaviest (with an average weight of 2.37 tons), followed by plug-in hybrids (2.14 tons), and pure electric vehicles are the lightest (1.91 tons). Among brands, Li Auto (which focuses on extended-range models) has an average weight of 2.56 tons, with Xpeng and NIO close behind.
Why Is Weight Reduction So Difficult for Automakers?
There are several technical and market-related barriers to reducing the weight of NEVs:
1. High costs of lightweighting technologies: BMW once used carbon fiber for its vehicle bodies, which reduced weight effectively but was too expensive for mass production. Tesla has achieved weight savings through integrated casting and a 900V power architecture; however, this comes at the cost of a more basic interior design and no significant range advantage.
2. Consumer preference for range: Consumers who complain about heavy vehicles often ask for longer ranges when making a purchase decision. Range is a major factor in their choice, so automakers are reluctant to reduce battery capacity to lower weight, opting instead for minor improvements in lightweighting, which only address the symptoms rather than the root problem.
3. Complex engineering challenges: Reducing vehicle weight requires coordinated efforts across multiple departments; it cannot be achieved by a single technology.
The Industry and Government Are Urgently Seeking Solutions
1. Experts' Calls for Action: Figures like Li Bin and Cui Dongshu are advocating for weight reduction in NEVs, arguing that heavier vehicles waste resources and damage roads.
2. Policy Initiatives: This year, new national standards for energy consumption (GB36980-2025) have been implemented, linking energy consumption to vehicle weight. Vehicles over 2.71 tons are subject to stricter energy consumption limits, indirectly restricting their weight.
3. Tax and Fee Reforms Underway: Currently, fuel vehicle maintenance fees are included in the price of gasoline, while electric vehicles do not pay for these costs. Heavier electric vehicles that travel more should bear a portion of the cost. Regulatory authorities are discussing the following reforms:
- Adjusting consumption taxes based on vehicle weight (heavier vehicles pay more).
- Incorporating charging fees into the tax system (more charges for higher energy usage).
- Charging higher tolls for heavier vehicles, as they cause more wear and tear on roads.
The goal is to ensure a fair distribution of road maintenance costs based on usage.
Controversial Points
Some controversial arguments in the article include:
- Safety and Weight: Tests by the China Insurance and Research Center have shown that 3-ton vehicles can perform just as well as lighter ones; the issue lies in whether automakers are willing to invest in safety measures, not in the weight of the vehicles.
- Resource Consumption: Consumers who want longer ranges and more space accept increased weight and energy consumption. Whether this is justified depends on their willingness to pay for these additional costs.
- The Real Issue Is Fairness: Heavier vehicles cause more damage to roads but do not bear the corresponding costs (in the form of road maintenance fees). If tax reforms are implemented to make heavier vehicles pay more, there is nothing inherently wrong with producing them—the market (through consumer spending) will ultimately determine what is acceptable.
The Future
For NEVs to truly become lighter, two approaches are necessary:
1. Breakthroughs in Battery Technology: Solid-state batteries could double the energy density of current batteries, halving their weight while maintaining the same range. However, this technology is still years away from mass production.
2. Improvement of Tax and Fee Systems: If heavier vehicles are required to pay more for road maintenance, tolls, and consumption taxes, consumers will weigh the benefits of longer ranges against higher costs, and automakers will be incentivized to control vehicle weight.
In summary, reducing the weight of NEVs is a collective effort that requires both technological advancements and fair tax policies.