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China EVs are cheaper than ICE cars. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/why-evs-are-now-cheaper-than-gas-cars-in-china/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.visual

by adrr 10mo ago

China EVs are cheaper than ICE cars. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/why-evs-are-now-cheaper-than-gas-cars-in-china/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.visualcapitalist.com/why-evs-are-now-cheaper-tha...

dpark 10mo ago
Sounds like the batteries are worse in China. How does that affect the range?
- Qwertious 10mo ago
  They're not worse, China has (arguably) the best batteries in the world. NMC and LFP (of the same cost) are about even, but pricier NMC packs can add maybe 10% more range for the same weight. Which is why most EV companies offer a "long-range version" that's just the same car with an NMC pack swapped in. It's mostly an irrelevant gimmick. The truth is that range isn't limited by batteries, it's limited by weight and cost - a bigger battery weighs more, which means the car (frame) needs to support more weight, which means the car (frame) costs more. Most EVs have a range of ~300 miles (~500KM) and any battery gains don't go into extending the range, they go into reducing the weight (and therefore cost) of the car. Lighter frame, fewer battery cells. Because most people don't care past 300miles (500KM). Not enough to pay an extra $5k, at least.
  - dpark 10mo ago
    Thank you. That's interesting. The infographic calls them cheaper which I assumed (incorrectly?) meant worse. 10% does seem gimmicky, though I am seeing claims on a number of sites that NMC is around 50% better per unit of weight (but way worse for longevity), so I don't know what to think.
philipallstar 10mo ago
China subsidises electric car companies to the tune of billions of dollars[0], as well as providing some tax breaks, so that's not a useful comparison. [0] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-signals-it-will-pull-plug-subsidies-evs-with-five-year-plan-exclusion-2025-10-29 https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-...

by adrr 10mo ago

dpark 10mo ago

Sounds like the batteries are worse in China. How does that affect the range?

Qwertious 10mo ago
They're not worse, China has (arguably) the best batteries in the world. NMC and LFP (of the same cost) are about even, but pricier NMC packs can add maybe 10% more range for the same weight. Which is why most EV companies offer a "long-range version" that's just the same car with an NMC pack swapped in. It's mostly an irrelevant gimmick. The truth is that range isn't limited by batteries, it's limited by weight and cost - a bigger battery weighs more, which means the car (frame) needs to support more weight, which means the car (frame) costs more. Most EVs have a range of ~300 miles (~500KM) and any battery gains don't go into extending the range, they go into reducing the weight (and therefore cost) of the car. Lighter frame, fewer battery cells. Because most people don't care past 300miles (500KM). Not enough to pay an extra $5k, at least.
- dpark 10mo ago
  Thank you. That's interesting. The infographic calls them cheaper which I assumed (incorrectly?) meant worse. 10% does seem gimmicky, though I am seeing claims on a number of sites that NMC is around 50% better per unit of weight (but way worse for longevity), so I don't know what to think.

philipallstar 10mo ago

China subsidises electric car companies to the tune of billions of dollars[0], as well as providing some tax breaks, so that's not a useful comparison. [0] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-signals-it-will-pull-plug-subsidies-evs-with-five-year-plan-exclusion-2025-10-29 https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/china-...