Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
EV models from XPeng and Onvo received the highest energy efficiency ratings under China’s national assessment of battery electric vehicles, results published this Wednesday showed. The ranking aims to provide a standardized benchmark for EV energy efficiency in the Chinese market and support consumer decision-making.
In the first batch, twelve electric models were evaluated across four key performance categories — driving efficiency, powertrain efficiency, air conditioning efficiency, and energy replenishment — by the China Automotive Energy Efficiency Development and Testing Certification Professional Alliance.
Eleven of the twelve models received the overall designation of “Level 1” — however, only the Onvo L60 SUV and XPeng sedans P7+ and Mona M03 scored the top rating across all four categories.
The Mona M03, XPeng’s most affordable model to date, was launched in August 2024 during the company’s 10th anniversary celebration in its hometown of Guangzhou. In late March, the 100,000th unit rolled off the production line.
The L60 is Onvo’s debut model and marked Nio Group’s expansion to the mass market segment. Later this month, the brand will unveil its flagship SUV L90 at the Shanghai Auto Show.
Zeekr’s 7X earned a Level 1 overall rating but was rated Level 2 for drive efficiency.
The SUV was launched in China last August, and the first European deliveries are expected to begin this summer across the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway, the brand recently stated.
The model, built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, is available in three variants in the Chinese market, with starting prices of 229,900 yuan ($31,570), 249,900 yuan, and 269,900 yuan.
Other models earning overall Level 1 ratings included the Arcfox Alpha T5, Changan’s Qiyuan A07, BYD Qin L EV and Baojun EQ100.
Toyota’s bZ3 was the only vehicle in the assessment to receive an overall Level 2 rating, with three of its four categories rated at Level 2.
Vehicles rated Level 1 can reduce energy costs per kilometer to as low as one-tenth those of gasoline-powered cars, said Liu Jiang, general manager of the China Quality Certification Center.
The program is led by the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute and the China Quality Certification Center, with support from automakers, suppliers, and infrastructure companies. Future evaluations are expected to include hybrid and commercial vehicles.