Comprehensive Guide to New Energy Vehicle Powertrain Systems: Battery, Motor & Electronic Control

As a technology-intensive and capital-driven industry, new energy vehicles (NEVs) have reshaped the global automobile sector. With complex supply chains, advanced manufacturing processes, and substantial R&D investments, NEVs—including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), sedans, pickups, and battery cars—demand cutting-edge expertise across engineering disciplines. Let’s explore the core "three-electric" systems (battery, motor, and electronic control) that define these innovative automobiles.

Surging Market Growth

July 2024 witnessed a remarkable 246,000 wholesale deliveries of new energy passenger cars, marking a 5.1% month-on-month increase and a staggering 202.9% annual surge. Year-to-date figures reached 1.339 million units, up 227.4% from 2023. Retail sales hit 222,000 units in July alone (+169.4% YoY), with cumulative 2024 sales surpassing 1.229 million (+210.2% YoY). This explosive growth underscores why car dealers and automakers prioritize NEVs like plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery cars.

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The Three-Electric System: Heart of New Energy Cars

Unlike traditional combustion engines, NEVs rely on three interconnected systems:

1. Battery System

2. Electric Motor

3. Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

These components dictate performance, range, and safety—critical factors for consumers choosing between sedans, pickups, or other NEV models.

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1. Battery Systems: Powering the Future

The battery pack serves as the "fuel tank" for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery cars. Modern systems integrate:

• Cells (cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator)

• Thermal management

• Battery Management System (BMS)

• Structural housing

Market Trends:

• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP): Dominates electric buses (86% adoption) due to safety and cycle life.

• Ternary Lithium (NCM/NCA): Preferred in passenger cars (71.88% adoption) for higher energy density.

• Innovations: BYD's blade battery—a compact LFP variant—boasts 50% higher density and 30% cost savings, rivaling ternary cells.

Car dealers highlight battery advancements when marketing NEVs, as range and charging speed remain top buyer concerns. From lead-acid batteries in 1996 EVs to today's lithium dominance, battery tech has evolved rapidly, with automakers increasingly controlling pack design while outsourcing cells.

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2. Electric Motors: Precision in Motion

Electric motors convert stored energy into motion. Key types include:

• Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM): Favored in sedans for high efficiency.

• Induction Motors: Common in pickups requiring high torque.

NEV motors achieve 90-95% efficiency versus 30-40% for combustion engines. Automakers like Tesla and BYD optimize motor-gearbox integration, reducing weight while boosting output. For plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, dual-motor setups enable seamless switching between electric and hybrid modes.

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3. Electronic Control: The Neural Network

The ECU orchestrates power distribution, thermal regulation, and safety protocols. Advanced systems in new energy cars feature:

• Torque vectoring for stability

• Regenerative braking optimization

• Real-time battery health monitoring

Automobile manufacturers increasingly adopt AI-driven ECUs to predict driver behavior and optimize energy use—critical for extending the range of battery cars and PHEVs.

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