Zeekr CEO An Conghui revealed during an earnings call that the company is developing a new electric-hybrid technology designed for larger vehicles.

This system will be implemented in large SUVs and MPVs, with specific hybrid models set to debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025. The official launch is expected in the second half of the year.

Zeekr was originally established to focus exclusively on the pure electric vehicle sector. In an interview in August 2023, An Conghui, President of Geely Holdings Group and CEO of Zeekr, stated that the brand had no plans to develop hybrid models.

However, in July 2024, he disclosed that while the company remained committed to the pure electric market, range-extended models were under consideration.

In August 2024, Zeekr officially announced its intention to introduce both pure electric and hybrid models during an earnings call. The first hybrid vehicle will be a flagship SUV featuring a newly developed hybrid system, promising enhanced power and range.

An Conghui explained that this hybrid technology would enable the vehicle to operate in EV mode at low speeds while utilising the internal combustion engine drivetrain for power on highways.

Photographs of a Zeekr 001 equipped with a hybrid powertrain were leaked on social media during road tests in China in September 2024. The test vehicle showed no noticeable external differences compared to the recently launched 2024 Zeekr 001.

A hybrid version of the Zeekr 001 is expected to be introduced following the debut of Zeekr's initial hybrid models.

Zeekr joins the ranks of pure EV manufacturers like Avatr, Xpeng, and Nio, which have also begun offering hybrid models. Hybrid vehicles have gained significant popularity among Chinese consumers, as evidenced by the success of Li Auto and Aito EREV models.

Zeekr was originally positioned to focus solely on the pure electric market, while its sister brand, Lynk & Co, specialised in producing internal combustion engine (ICE) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

However, the recent consolidation of the two brands under the Zeekr name reflects Geely's strategy to unify its high-end car brands under one umbrella.

This move enables the production of both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and PHEVs, enhancing Zeekr's competitiveness in China's fiercely contested automotive market.