In which year were new energy vehicles officially launched?

[Emanuel]

China's new energy vehicle market began deploying dedicated new energy vehicles as early as 2014. Below is the classification of new energy vehicles: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): A battery electric vehicle is a type of automobile that uses a single battery pack as its sole energy storage power source. It utilizes the battery to store energy, then supplies electricity to the electric motor, which drives the vehicle's movement. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): A hybrid electric vehicle refers to an automobile whose propulsion system consists of two or more individual drive systems that can operate simultaneously. The vehicle's driving power is provided either by a single drive system or multiple systems working together, depending on actual driving conditions.

[LeGavin]

There is no exact launch year for new energy vehicles, as it has been a prolonged evolution. Early prototypes of electric vehicles emerged in the 1830s, such as the initial device built by Scotland's Robert Anderson, but those were merely experimental. The true shift toward modernization began in the 1990s. In 1996, General Motors introduced the EV1 concept, the first pure-electric option offered to the public, sparking industry-wide discussions. In 1997, the Toyota Prius hybrid hit the market, ushering in the era of hybrid vehicles, with soaring sales proving the technology's viability. Post-2000, Tesla revolutionized the market with the 2008 Roadster, the first mass-produced electric sports car. Over the next decade, brands like the Nissan Leaf and BYD joined the movement, while technology evolved from lead-acid to high-efficiency lithium batteries, driving global adoption. As an automotive professional, I've witnessed this history firsthand—new energy vehicles represent a gradual revolution rather than a single-year launch.

[VanQuinn]

As a seasoned driver with years of experience, my impression of the introduction of new energy vehicles has gradually warmed up. In the late 1990s, I started paying attention to hybrid vehicles. After the Toyota Prius was launched in 1997, some friends around me purchased it and discussed its fuel-saving features. Around 2008, the Tesla Roadster made electric vehicles a hot topic, and I test-drove the Model S in 2010, feeling its fast acceleration, low noise, but cumbersome charging. Looking back now, the real popularization happened after 2010 when the Chinese government introduced subsidy policies and green license plates, leading to more hybrid and pure electric vehicles on the road. Models like the Nissan Leaf or Honda hybrids became common choices. Charging stations also increased from few to many, making daily use more convenient. I feel this transition is like the smartphone boom—there was no clear starting point, but rather a natural evolution over more than a decade.

[EverlyLee]

From a historical perspective, the introduction of new energy vehicles has been a continuous evolution. The earliest electric carriages emerged in the 1830s, but that was the pioneering stage. The pivotal turning point came in 1996 when the GM EV1 was launched as the first mass-produced pure electric vehicle, marking the beginning of modern attempts. In 1997, the Toyota Prius hybrid version hit the market, laying the commercial foundation. After the Tesla Roadster was introduced in 2008, electric vehicle technology accelerated its innovation. Having researched this for many years, each breakthrough has driven wider adoption, such as improved lithium battery efficiency reducing costs. There is no so-called 'official' launch year—it is the cumulative product of progressive advancements across eras.