January 15-16 saw the convening of the "China Heart" 2026 Powertrain Day and the 10th China Automotive Powertrain Technology Congress in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. As the most influential annual event in China's automotive powertrain sector, the "China Heart" Awards have a 20-year history, witnessing and driving China's automotive powertrain technology to evolve from following the global pace to keeping pace, and then to taking a leading position. As a pioneer and leader in the range-extended powertrain technology route, Seres Power was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the congress, systematically interpreting the key technological breakthroughs and iteration path of its 5th-generation Super Range-Extender System, and demonstrating the in-depth exploration and leading strength of Chinese powertrain enterprises in the diversified technological track.
Five Iterations: Defining Technological Evolution by User Demands
In the new energy vehicle track, the range-extended technology has become one of the mainstream routes due to its combination of pure electric driving experience and range convenience. As early as 2016, Seres Power made a forward-looking investment in the R&D of range-extended technology, and built China's first range-extender dedicated engine platform in 2019. After five rounds of innovative iteration, the company has now built the core competitiveness of its Super Range-Extender System based on the R&D philosophy of "user experience first". In particular, the 5th-generation Super Range-Extender System has achieved leaping improvements in a number of key indicators, boasting five core advantages: high efficiency, high quietness, high intelligence, high integration and high quality.
In terms of energy efficiency, the 5th-generation Seres Super Range-Extender System achieves a maximum fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 3.65kWh/L and a maximum thermal efficiency of 44.8%, reaching the world's leading level among mass-produced engines. It also cuts the comprehensive fuel consumption by 15% through an intelligent range-extender control strategy. In noise control, Seres Power has controlled the difference in in-vehicle noise between the range-extended mode and pure electric mode within 1 decibel via the forward digital development of NVH and active control technology, reducing the frequency of noise perception by more than 90% and delivering a quiet "seamless experience between fuel and electric modes". In terms of power response, the system features an excellent pure electric driving experience with rapid response and linear acceleration.
These breakthroughs stem from Seres Power's continuously evolving technological path: the 1st-generation system realized basic functions, while the 2nd-generation ensured sufficient electric energy supply; the R&D focus shifted to user value in the 3rd-generation, which pioneered the core indicator of "fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency" in the industry and laid the foundation for an energy efficiency-oriented development; the 4th-generation focused on NVH breakthroughs to achieve "imperceptible power generation" in all scenarios; the current 5th-generation system deeply integrates AI intelligence with core technologies such as the C2E Architecture and RoboREX Intelligent Control, achieving a systemic and all-round leap in energy efficiency, quietness and intelligence.
From Breaking Monopolies to Global Leadership: Independent Technology Delivers the "China Solution"
Seres Power's journey in range-extended technology is a microcosm of China's automotive powertrain industry evolving from following to leading the world. Through 20 years of forward R&D, Seres Power has achieved comprehensive breakthroughs in core technical indicators, from creating China's first range-extender dedicated engine platform to launching the world's leading Super Range-Extender System.
Its technological achievements have been widely recognized by the industry and national-level platforms: the company has been selected into the "China Heart" Top 10 New Energy Powertrain Systems twice, and recently made an appearance as a representative achievement of China's high-end manufacturing at the Made in China 14th Five-Year Plan Achievement Exhibition in the National Museum of China. At present, Seres Power has established partnerships with 25 industry partners, and released its new-generation system on international stages such as the Munich Motor Show in Germany, bringing advanced smart mobility solutions to the global market.
In addition, to promote the deep integration of industry, universities and research institutes and the cultivation of industry talents, Seres Power donated a set of its 5th-generation Super Range-Extender System to Tongji University during the congress. This initiative brings the cutting-edge technological achievements directly into university classrooms and laboratories, providing key hardware support for scientific research and talent cultivation, and demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of a leading enterprise in driving the overall technological progress of the industry.
Looking to the future, Seres Power will continue to deepen its layout in the range-extended technology route and keep innovating in three key directions: pursuing ultimate energy efficiency, strengthening system safety, and exploring diversified energy sources. The company is committed to providing a better "China Powertrain" for the electrification and intelligent transformation of the global automotive industry.
