In Southeast Asia, the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) is still under development, pushing automakers to favor hybrid models over purely electric ones. ## Insufficient infrastructure Despite promises from local governments, the adoption of pure EVs remains below 10%. Xpeng Motors has launched a hybrid SUV with a range of 1,704 km, a move that highlights the region's infrastructural uncertainty. Statistics show rapid growth in charging stations, but from a very low base. Thailand, for example, has exceeded its initial 2025 targets, but electric vehicles account for only 13% of new car sales. Even in Singapore, where the infrastructure is more developed, a study found that consumers prefer hybrids to electric vehicles. ## Xpeng's strategy Xpeng's CEO, He Xiaopeng, stated that long-range models are a response to the "uneven global infrastructure." This strategy aligns with Xpeng's expansion into 60 markets globally, with overseas shipments nearly doubling. Market data confirms that consumers remain cautious about the reliability of EV infrastructure. The time required for charging is a major concern. ## Comparison with China China, with 8.6 million charging stations, supports a market where EVs account for nearly 50% of car sales. Southeast Asia operates with a much lower charging density, which fuels range anxiety. Government targets for 2030 are ambitious, but it remains to be seen whether current deployment rates will be sufficient to meet these commitments. ## Strategic implications The shift towards hybrids has several consequences: * Extension of infrastructure ROI. * Development of two-tier markets. * Grid capacity constraints. * Changes in market positioning. The key question is whether the improvement of EV infrastructure in Southeast Asia will happen quickly enough to validate purely electric strategies, or whether the region will opt for a hybrid adoption, with EVs remaining primarily an urban option.