Leapmotor CEO: Extended-Range Plug-in Hybrids Have Significant Future Potential
Leapmotor CEO Zhu Jiangming believes that large-battery plug-in hybrid vehicles, particularly those with range extenders, represent a strong product type with significant global growth potential in the coming years.
Leapmotor Chairman and CEO Zhu Jiangming stated on July 7, 2026, at the 2026 China Automotive Forum, that plug-in hybrid technology, exemplified by range extenders, will not disappear.
Zhu Jiangming believes this technical solution is suitable for regions where pure electric vehicle usage is challenging or charging infrastructure is underdeveloped, such as Northeast China and Southeast Asia. He anticipates that over the next five to ten years, large-battery plug-in hybrid vehicles will be a strong product category in overseas markets.
His comments follow a period of notable decline in the domestic sales of extended-range models. In June 2026, wholesale sales of extended-range vehicles fell by 25.2% year-on-year. In contrast, sales of pure electric vehicles and conventional plug-in hybrids saw significant increases during the same period.
The CEO reiterated his prior assertion that technologies like range extenders and plug-in hybrids will continue to meet the practical needs of users facing charging difficulties or operating in cold climates. This aligns with his earlier statements emphasizing Leapmotor's ambition for substantial growth in both domestic and international markets.