Li Auto Abandons "ICE-to-EREV" Conversion, Fully Commits to Native EREV Platform

Li Auto’s Head of Electric Vehicle Products, Tang Huayin, recently revealed that the company has completed an upgrade of its extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology roadmap. Earlier models like the Li One and L9 adopted a “retrofitted range extender” approach—converting conventional internal combustion engines into range extenders—a strategy widely emulated across the industry. However, after surpassing one million cumulative deliveries, Li Auto found this retrofitted approach insufficient to meet users’ evolving and higher expectations. Starting in 2026, the company will fully transition to a “native EREV” platform. This new platform is purpose-built for extended-range electric vehicles, with the range extender dedicated solely to power generation. Design priorities focus on optimizing NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), thermal efficiency, service intervals, and compact dimensions—rather than traditional engine metrics like power and torque. Tang emphasized that despite past criticisms labeling the technology as outdated, Li Auto remained committed to R&D investment. He added that only when paired with a comprehensive ultra-fast charging network can 5C batteries truly unlock their full potential. The third-generation native EREV platform, he noted, will deliver a completely new user experience.