Are Hybrid Vehicles Considered New Energy Vehicles?
2 Answers
Most hybrid vehicles are classified as new energy vehicles, except for traditional hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). HEVs cannot obtain green license plates and are categorized under conventional fuel vehicles, requiring blue license plates instead. HEVs do not require external charging and operate similarly to standard fuel-powered cars. New energy vehicles refer to automobiles that utilize unconventional vehicle fuels as power sources (or use conventional vehicle fuels with new types of onboard power units), integrating advanced technologies in vehicle power control and driving systems to achieve advanced technical principles, new technologies, and innovative structures.
Whether hybrid vehicles are considered new energy vehicles depends on the specific type and policy. Under Chinese standards, conventional hybrids like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid are not classified as new energy vehicles because they primarily rely on gasoline with electric assistance. However, plug-in hybrids like the BYD Qin DM-i are categorized as new energy vehicles, qualifying for subsidies and green license plate policies. This policy design considers emission reduction effectiveness and promotion feasibility. I've seen many owners get confused, purchasing non-plug-in hybrids only to miss out on benefits. Overall, hybrid technology saves about 20-40% in fuel consumption, but from a pure new energy perspective, only zero-emission vehicles like pure electric cars count as genuine.
