Chinese automotive giant GWM has seemingly given its Haval brand until the end of the decade to completely ditch petrol and diesel power…

Chinese SUV brand Haval will reportedly abandon petrol and diesel engines as early as 2030 under Great Wall Motor’s freshly announced “new energy strategy”.

According to various publications, GWM made the proclamation at a dedicated event in China marking the “start of a comprehensive transition” to a new energy strategy for Haval. A fresh Haval logo was furthermore unveiled at the press conference, along with the latest version of the marque’s popular H6, this time featuring a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.

Though the 2030 deadline isn’t mentioned in GWM’s official press material, images showing the target date on a big screen at the Beijing event have been widely published in Chinese media. From what we understand so far, the cut-off is a global one rather than something restricted to the automaker’s domestic market.

The freshly revealed plug-in hybrid version of the H6 (also note the new Haval logo in the background).

“As the largest vehicle segment of Great Wall Motor, Haval has ushered in a comprehensive transformation of new energy. This will be a milestone for Haval, and it is also a milestone for Great Wall Motor on the road of comprehensive transformation to new energy,” said Mu Feng, President of GWM.

In the next few years leading up to the end of the decade, GWM says its powertrain development strategy will include “multiple technical routes”, including hybrid, pure electric and hydrogen energy. In fact, the Haval brand expects that 80% of its global sales will comprise electrified vehicles (including fuel-cell models) by as early as 2025.

What does Haval’s apparent looming shift away from internal combustion engines mean for the South African market? Well, as much as 2030 is just around the corner in automotive lifecycle terms, it’s perhaps a little too early to say. Regardless, it’s worth noting the Chinese brand’s impressive local growth has been built on the sales success of petrol-powered crossovers such as the Jolion and H6 (though a hybrid version of the latter is earmarked to launch locally relatively soon). But we can’t help but point out the South African market is crying out for affordable fully electric vehicles…

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