SHANGHAI, China: Carmakers are stepping up their efforts to meet booming demand for long-range hybrids in China, the world's largest auto market.

At this week's Shanghai auto show, Geely's Zeekr brand unveiled the 9X, a plug-in hybrid SUV that can travel 249 miles on electric power alone—far outpacing typical hybrids elsewhere. Chinese automakers are also growing the market for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), which use gasoline engines solely to recharge batteries, offering consumers more flexibility.

According to the China Passenger Car Association, sales of EREVs and plug-in hybrids grew faster than sales of pure electric vehicles last year. EREV sales jumped 79 percent to 1.2 million units, and plug-in hybrid sales rose 76 percent to 3.4 million units, compared to a 23 percent rise in EV sales to 6.3 million.

While fully electric vehicles remain the largest segment, the hybrid boom is reshaping strategies for global and domestic automakers. Volkswagen, struggling in China, plans a new vehicle platform to accommodate both EVs and EREVs. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius said hybrids are "definitely a trend in China" and predicted they would "coexist with battery-electric vehicles for a longer period."

Tesla and some environmentalists remain critical, viewing hybrids as a distraction from the transition to full electrification. Nio CEO William Li also voiced skepticism, arguing hybrids make less sense in China's well-developed EV charging network.

Still, many automakers see hybrids as a practical solution. They allow companies to cater to cost-conscious buyers and navigate barriers in overseas markets like Europe, where Chinese EVs face rising tariffs. Geely's Lynk & Co, for instance, will launch a hybrid SUV in Europe this June, offering a 200-km electric-only range—the longest there so far.

China's flexible approach reflects its pragmatism. Felix Kuhnert of PwC Germany said China's industry is "technologically less dogmatic" than its global competitors, focusing simply on delivering what consumers want.

Leapmotor, despite offering long-range EVs, has also embraced hybrids in its luxury segment, giving customers the option to pay more to eliminate range anxiety.

New launches are accelerating: in 2024, Chinese automakers introduced 16 new EREVs and 37 plug-in hybrids, compared to 32 new pure EV models, according to JATO Dynamics.

Bo Yu, a JATO China-market expert, said investment in hybrids will continue. "We are going to see more of them," she said.