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Jun 04, 2025

NETA electric vehicle owner experiences range drop from 400km to only 40km in a year

8th January 2026 – (Shanghai) Electric vehicles have surged in popularity in recent years, with numerous manufacturers introducing models that appeal to cost-conscious consumers. However, a recent

8th January 2026 – (Shanghai) Electric vehicles have surged in popularity in recent years, with numerous manufacturers introducing models that appeal to cost-conscious consumers. However, a recent incident involving a domestic electric vehicle has left one owner frustrated. In May 2023, a driver in mainland China purchased a NETA electric car for 76,000 yuan, with an official claim of a range of 400 kilometres. Now, just over a year later, that range has plummeted to a mere 40 kilometres.

Ms. He, the owner, reported that during cold weather, her vehicle’s range dropped from the advertised 400 kilometres to just 60, which already seemed concerning. Unfortunately, this further declined to 40 kilometres, making it insufficient for her daily commute of 42 kilometres.

Upon inspection, the repair centre informed Ms. He that the vehicle’s battery pack had malfunctioned and needed replacement. However, due to a shortage of battery packs, immediate replacement was not possible. The situation worsened, rendering the vehicle nearly unusable. Although the repair centre offered a loaner vehicle as a temporary solution, they could not provide a specific timeline for the repairs, significantly disrupting her daily life.

The performance of lithium batteries in electric vehicles can significantly decrease in low temperatures. Cold weather slows down the internal chemical reactions within the battery, reducing discharge efficiency. While a reduction in range is common during winter, such a drastic drop may indicate underlying issues.

Long-term reliance on fast charging, excessive discharging, or frequently charging to 100% can accelerate battery depletion, further compromising battery health.