Hyped new Zeekr 8X and 9X hybrids to go fully electric in the future to take down everything from 2026 Kia EV9 to Volvo EX90 EVs

Zeekr has confirmed plans to add fully electric versions of its much-anticipated 8X and 9X luxury hybrid SUVs in the near future.

Originally debuting as plug-in hybrids, the two models use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine on top of massive batteries. Both use a hybrid transaxle system in the front mating the engine to powerful electric motors, while they have a fully independent electric rear motor (or two for the performance grade).

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Both cars ride on the flexible SEA-S platform, which supports both hybrid and fully electric layouts, and can wield a 900-volt electrical architecture for ultra-rapid charging and ultra-high power outputs.

Zeekr Europe’s Chief Engineer for Mechanical Architecture, Kennet Pettersson, said both vehicles were originally designed as full battery-electric platforms, making the EV spin-offs “relatively straightforward".

Adding to Pettersson’s comments, Zeekr Group Vice President, Mars Chen, said: “Over three years ago when we had big success with 001 and 009, in that moment we were sure about one thing especially when it comes to international models, and that one very important thing was that the world will not always be ICE (internal combustion engine) or BEV (battery electric vehicle).

“We have to have the two in our family, so knowing the reality, the company decided to prepare some hybrid models, because you know Geely (Zeekr’s parent company), is coming from the ICE industry. So we realised that there are some models which are very successful in this segment - Li Auto, Aito using range extenders.”

“It’s not something we simply wanted to replicate, so actually, our hybrid system which you see placed in the 9X and 8X today, it's not just a range extender or just a plug-in hybrid, it’s a mix.

“The experience we want to give the customer is more electric, which means silent, huge torque, and without any latency.

“But this car still has an engine, it still has the capacity, and for range, you don’t need to worry. So that’s why we made that decision for big cars.

“I switched to a hybrid car, but frankly speaking, I want to go back to an EV because in my scenario, I only did more than 350km a day once in the last two years. I only need to charge once a week and that’s it.”

“So, it’s not a technical choice, it's more of a commercial choice. But I’m very happy to share with you that the [BEV] version is coming.”

Mr Chen also shared that we’d see at least one battery electric version of either the 9X or 8X before the next Chinese auto show (roughly a year), but wouldn’t say which model. He confirmed any design changes between the hybrids set to launch in Australia imminently and the fully electric version would be minimal.

As it is, the 8X is already set to cost in excess of $85,000 in Australia, with the 9X likely starting at around $100,000.

Expect the fully electric versions to likely have similar, if not higher, power outputs, and with correspondingly larger batteries.

Currently, even the hybrid version of the 8X has either a 55kWh battery allowing a 320km range, or a 70kWh battery allowing a 410km range. In fully electric format, expect at least a 90kWh battery, although it wouldn't be surprising to see the brand target one of the industry’s longest driving ranges for a five-meter-plus SUV.

Zeekr has shot to the mainstream from relative obscurity in 2026 in Australia thanks almost entirely to its sharply priced and impressively specified 7X fully electric mid sizer which has shot to the top of the sales charts in its category.

The brand will no doubt be hoping the 8X, due to arrive in 2027, will live up to the hype it is already generating.

Expect to see the 9X hybrid SUV join the brand’s range before the end of the year, with the 7GT Euro-style electric wagon also slated for a late 2026 or early 2027 launch.

The brand also showed an updated version of its 009 people mover with significant under-the-skin changes at the Beijing Motor Show.