Recently, FAW’s Hongqi EHS7, with support of battery swap, applied for a sales license in China, as seen in the homologation fillings list revealed by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The design of the new version remains the same as that of the standard pure electric version; the main difference is the use of battery swap technology. The EHS7 is the first pure electric SUV under the Hongqi New Energy sub-brand.
Earlier, the standard pure electric version of the Hongqi EHS7 appeared at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. The expected launch date is June this year and will be available in both single and dual-motor versions.
Positioned as a standard five-seater medium-to-large SUV, the Hongqi EHS7 battery swap version measures 4925/1950/1680 mm, and the wheelbase is 3000 mm, which is the same as the standard version. The new car will be powered by a rear electric motor (model CAM220PT8) with a maximum power of 253 kW and matched with lithium iron phosphate battery packs from BYD’s FinDreams. The top speed is 200 km/h.
Other configurations include optional rim shapes, radar, green glass, dual-color body, and 255/55R19, 255/45R21, or 275/40R21 tires.
In 2024, Hongqi plans to launch 16 new vehicles, including multiple pure electric and plug-in hybrid models. The pure electric model includes two new models and two annual facelift models, which are EH7 (codenamed E001), EHS7 (codenamed E202), the new E-QM5 560 km model, and the new E-HS9. The plug-in hybrid models will include the HQ9, HS7, and HS3.
In 2023, Hongqi sold more than 370,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 29.5%; with Hongqi New Energy sold more than 85,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 135%. As part of Hongqi’s vehicle electrification goal, it plans to sell more than 1.5 million vehicles annually with new energy vehicles being the main contributor.
Neither state-owned First Automobile Works (FAW) nor its premium brand Hongqi are members of Nio’s led battery swap alliance, which includes GAC, Chery, Changan, and JAC.
Source: Chinese MIIT, AutoHome, 36kr
