Xpeng to launch plug-in hybrid with 450 km pure electric range and 63.3 kWh battery in late 2025
Xpeng has officially launched its “One car, two functions” (一车双能) strategy on Tuesday, as announced by CEO He Xiaopeng on social media. The strategy refers to Xpeng’s new approach to relaunching its all-electric models with a bit smaller battery and an ICE generator.
Xpeng developed a new platform, SEPA 3.0, also known as Kunpeng AI architecture. The platform will allow the company to add a range-extended powertrain to its existing models. Xpeng previously developed only all-electric vehicles.
An electric range extended vehicle (EREV) is a type of plug-in hybrid (PHEV), where the ICE (internal combustion engine) is not connected to the wheels, and only serves as a power generator for the battery or to help the e-motor. It is also called a serial hybrid. The other variant of PHEV is a parallel hybrid, where the ICE is connected to the wheels; these are the standard hybrids most people outside China know.
Serial hybrids have been gaining increasing popularity in China in recent months, as they are cheaper than BEVs and their owners avoid range anxiety, allowing automakers to address more traditional buyers who are not exactly massive BEV fans, but still want to enjoy policies that come with owning a new energy vehicle in China.
The first EV underpinned by the SEPA 3.0 platform will be the Xpeng X9 MPV. The powertrain specs were revealed by the Chinese regulator today, and shortly after were officially shared by Xpeng.
The X9 EREV will have a massive 63.3 kWh battery, good for 450 km pure electric range under CLTC conditions. With the full tank, the combined range is 1,600 km. The battery will be 5C, and the car will feature 800V charging.
The vehicle’s declared dimensions are 5316/1988/1785 mm (l/w/h), the wheelbase is 3160 mm, and the curb weight is 2750 kg, according to the Chinese MIIT. For reference, the BEV variant has a length of 5293 mm, while the other dimensions remain the same.
The EREV system consists of a 1.5T engine that outputs a maximum power of 110 kW (148 hp), matched with CALB-Tech’s lithium iron phosphate battery packs. The capacity and other powertrain parameters are still unknown at this time.
For reference, the 2025 Xpeng X9 on the market is a BEV with a price range of 359,800 to 419,800 yuan (40,500 to 58,900 USD). EREVs are usually cheaper than BEVs.
Xpeng X9 will launch in Q4 2025, according to Xiaopeng.
