Niutron

Niutron was an electric vehicle company based in China, founded by Yanfeng Li (also known as Freeman Shen) in 2021. The company aimed to produce electric SUVs and other vehicles targeting the premium segment of the market.

Niutron's first, and ultimately only, announced vehicle was the Niutron NV, a mid-size SUV initially planned for release in late 2022. The vehicle was notable for being planned with both fully electric (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain options. The EREV version included a gasoline-powered range extender to generate electricity and increase the vehicle's overall range.

Despite significant investment and pre-production preparations, Niutron faced numerous challenges, including supply chain disruptions and difficulties in securing regulatory approvals. In May 2023, the company officially announced the cessation of its vehicle production plans and offered refunds to customers who had placed pre-orders. The company cited difficulties in delivering vehicles at the planned scale and quality as primary reasons for the shutdown.

Niutron's brief existence illustrates the competitive and challenging landscape of the electric vehicle industry, particularly for new entrants striving to establish themselves in the Chinese market.