Industrial robots assemble vehicles on the production line at an Audi FAW NEV plant in Changchun, Jilin province. CHINA DAILY
As larger batteries and additional features add to the weight of many new energy vehicles, some Chinese automakers are using integrated electric-drive systems and optimized vehicle structures to offset the added weight.
Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show that the average curb weight of passenger vehicles produced by automakers in China rose 200 kilograms, or 13.2 percent, from 1,514 kg in 2021 to 1,714 kg in 2025.
Greater vehicle weight can increase energy consumption, alter handling characteristics and place heavier loads on key mechanical components.
Han Zhiyu, a professor at the School of Automotive Studies at Tongji University, said greater vehicle weight should not be equated with better quality. He said progress should come from better materials, optimized structures and system engineering rather than simply adding batteries and features.
