Data from the China Passenger Car Association reveals that the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) tax exemption catalog for January-September 2026 contains 22,760 entries, with September alone adding 355 new models, a figure that remains elevated relative to the same period in the prior three years.
The catalog resources from February to September are broadly consistent with the same period in 2025. The passenger car segment sees a high volume of new models but weak subsidies and subdued market conditions, while the truck segment benefits from fewer new models but more generous subsidies and healthier market performance.
September's tax-exempt catalog welcomed 355 new models, a significant decline from August's 652. By category: passenger cars added only 65 models, with pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and extended-range applications all contracting simultaneously; buses contributed just 7 models, signaling a marked slowdown in deployment. Special-purpose vehicles were the month's primary driver, totaling 283 models, of which 266 were pure electric, accounting for over 70 percent of the monthly total. The structural divergence in September's model applications is pronounced, with passenger cars and buses slowing their new-model filing pace while special-purpose vehicles remain the cornerstone of the purchase tax exemption catalog.
September saw 16 new battery-swap models added to the catalog, flat compared with August's 16. By category, passenger cars recorded only one pure electric battery-swap model application, reflecting persistently weak deployment; special-purpose vehicles contributed 15 models, all pure electric, making them the absolute mainstay of the month's battery-swap catalog. Looking at historical data, special-purpose vehicles have long been the primary source of battery-swap model applications, while passenger car battery-swap filings remain sluggish, with September's overall new additions staying at a low level and industry deployment remaining cautious.
In September, the average driving range of pure electric passenger cars reached 561 kilometers, continuing to improve from August's 544 kilometers. Models with ranges above 500 kilometers accounted for 87 percent of the total, with the 500-599 km bracket representing the largest share at 32 percent and the over-700 km segment taking 25 percent, underscoring a clear trend toward longer range. Narrowly defined plug-in hybrids saw average range rise to 182 kilometers, with the 200-249 km interval surging to 57 percent and becoming the dominant segment. Extended-range models averaged 229 kilometers, with the 200-249 km bracket at 43 percent as the largest share. Overall, all three technology routes are migrating toward higher range intervals, with pure electric premiumization and longer-range trends for plug-in and extended-range models strengthening in tandem.
In September 2026, the average curb weight of pure electric models was 2,007 kg, a slight decline from August's 2,052 kg but still above historical levels for the same period, indicating that battery capacity in new models remains elevated. Narrowly defined plug-in hybrids averaged 2,223 kg, down 72 kg from 2,294 kg in the same month last year. Extended-range models averaged 2,498 kg, up 151 kg from 2,346 kg a year earlier. Overall, the average curb weights of September's pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and extended-range models remain in a relatively high range, with long-range configurations clearly pushing up vehicle mass. For pure electric models, the 2,000 kg category accounted for as much as 91 percent, making it the absolute majority, while lightweight models hold a minimal share, keeping the average weight elevated. Narrowly defined plug-in hybrids saw the 2,000 kg interval capture 79 percent as the core weight range. Extended-range models had the 3,000 kg bracket at 57 percent and the 2,000 kg interval at 43 percent, with heavy vehicles dominating. Structurally, September's new models skew heavy across the board: pure electric models cluster at the two-ton level, plug-in hybrids are mainly around two tons, and extended-range models frequently exceed three tons, as long-range configurations and high-capacity batteries continue to drive up overall curb weight.
In September, the average battery energy density for pure electric models stood at 143 Wh/kg, unchanged from August, with the 130-140 Wh/kg range holding the largest share as the mainstream interval. Narrowly defined plug-in hybrids averaged 134 Wh/kg, flat from August, with the 130 Wh/kg bracket reaching 50 percent and becoming the absolute majority. Extended-range models averaged 137 Wh/kg, down from August's 147 Wh/kg, with the 130 Wh/kg interval at 43 percent. Overall, the battery energy density of newly filed models in September has entered a stable plateau phase, plug-in hybrid densities are improving noticeably, and the pace of pure electric technology iteration is moderating.
In the 34th catalog batch, pure electric models totaled 121 with an average vehicle length of 4,823 mm, curb weight of 2,036 kg, battery capacity of 74 kWh, and energy density of 148 Wh/kg; as range increases, battery capacity and vehicle weight rise in tandem. Extended-range models numbered 33 with an average length of 5,097 mm, curb weight of 2,523 kg, and battery capacity of 54 kWh. Narrowly defined plug-in hybrids totaled 32 with an average length of 4,995 mm and curb weight of 2,297 kg. Long-range models are generally larger and heavier, with pure electric energy consumption stabilizing at 12 kWh per 100 kilometers while extended-range and plug-in fuel consumption holds at 6 liters, reflecting the energy characteristics of large NEVs.
September's 34th catalog batch features a rich array of new products, with pure electric remaining the primary focus alongside several heavyweight extended-range models, including Xiaomi Pengpai N70, AITO M6, Roewe Jiayue 07, Aika V25, Arcfox αS5, and FAW Yueyi 08. Automakers such as Byd Company Limited, Volkswagen, Geely, Arcfox, and Changan filed a larger number of models. Pure electric new models generally offer ranges above 500 km, with some exceeding 800 km; extended-range models have seen significant gains in battery capacity, with pure electric ranges commonly reaching above 150 km. Model dimensions cover everything from compact to large segments, with the share of large-size, long-range models rising, and technology iteration concentrated on battery capacity and range upgrades.
In the 34th catalog batch, large and medium-sized new models measuring over five meters saw dense filings, with the extended-range segment generating notable heat. Heavyweight extended-range models such as Xiaomi Pengcheng N90, AITO M9T/M8EV, Xiangjie S9T, Qijing GX7, Aika V27, and Dongfeng Mengshi X70 made concentrated appearances. On the pure electric front, flagship models including Denza N8/N9, Li Auto i9, XPeng G9L, and Wey V9X were filed, with battery capacities generally surpassing 100 kWh and ranges advancing toward 700 km-plus and even 900 km-plus. Large models commonly exceed 2.5 tons in curb weight, extended-range pure electric range continues to climb, and plug-in hybrids are also upgrading toward longer pure electric range, clearly underscoring the premiumization trend.
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