Driven by both national policies and market demand, Chinese automakers have achieved breakthroughs in hybrid powertrain technology since 2021. They have launched a range of hybrid electric vehicles tailored to the market demand and consumer preference in China, embodying distinct Chinese characteristics and leading globally in the field. Recently, the sales of hybrid electric vehicles have exploded. In 2023, sales of hybrid passenger cars in the Chinese market exceeded 3 million units, marking an 83% year-on-year increase. However, influenced by the electrification megatrend, there still exists the viewpoint in the automotive industry that hybrid electric vehicles are merely transitional technology. Some consumers are also skeptical about the domestic hybrid electric vehicles. To correct these biased perceptions, this paper explores China's hybrid vehicle powertrain technology routes, focuses on diversified hybrid architectures and dedicated core components, and introduces a novel definition for the degree of hybridization, serving as a generalized index for evaluating the level of electrification in powertrains. It compares the mainstream hybrid technologies both domestically and internationally, analyzes cutting-edge features and development trends. The research highlights that Chinese hybrid electric vehicles feature large-capacity power batteries and plug-in hybrid technology, allowing for flexible integration and agile synergies between power sources (engine and motor) and energy sources (power battery and range-extending system). Compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrids enable focusing on improvement in engine thermal efficiency, engine operating efficiency, and overall fuel economy through electric drive integration. In contrast to battery electric vehicles, hybrids mitigate range anxiety cost-effectively by using the engine-generated electricity. They also achieve endurant and strong power output at lower hardware costs by leveraging mechanical drivetrain technologies such as engine driving and transmission torque amplification. These distinctive advantages position hybrid electric vehicles as pivotal in steering the automotive industry towards a carbon-neutral direction in the long term. The sharpened insight into today’s market and clarified vision of the future presented in the article could be beneficial to the further advancement of hybrid powertrain technology in China.
