Chinese automaker Li Auto will introduce its first all-electric SUV, the Li i8, in July, the company said on Monday, marking its second battery electric vehicle (BEV) after the Li Mega MPV.
The company shared a teaser video of the Li i8 on Weibo, confirming the planned release. Li Auto first announced the model’s name and released initial images on February 25.
See also: Li Auto’s February Deliveries Decline 12.24% From January, Annual Growth Remains Positive
Li Auto, known for its extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), currently sells the L-series SUVs, including the Li L6, Li L7, Li L8, and Li L9. The company had initially planned to expand its BEV lineup in the second half of 2024 but postponed the launch to early 2025, citing weaker-than-expected sales of the Li Mega MPV.
To support its transition to BEVs, Li Auto is ramping up its charging infrastructure. The company aims to have more than 2,500 self-operated supercharging stations and over 15,000 chargers nationwide by the time the Li i8 launches. “This would allow Li Auto’s BEV users to stop having charging anxiety,” CEO Li Xiang said on February 26.
See also: Li Auto Expands Charging Network, Surpasses 10,000 Superchargers Ahead of BEV Expansion
As of February 28, Li Auto had 1,873 supercharging stations in operation, with more than 10,000 charging piles installed.
The company delivered 26,263 vehicles in February, a 29.7% increase from a year earlier but down 12.2% from January’s total of 29,927. Year-to-date deliveries stood at 56,190, up 9.3% from the same period last year.
Li Auto is set to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial results on March 14 before U.S. markets open.