Chinese Electric Car VIN Guide: Decode BYD, NIO, XPENG & More (2026)

Every vehicle on the road carries a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number, but electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturers encode significantly more information in those 17 characters than a traditional petrol or diesel car. Where a conventional VIN tells you the engine size and transmission type, a Chinese EV VIN reveals the battery chemistry, motor configuration, charging speed capability, and even the battery supplier. Understanding how to decode these EV-specific VIN positions is essential for anyone buying, importing, or researching a Chinese electric car.

Chinese electric car brands like BYD, NIO, XPeng, Li Auto, Zeekr, and Xiaomi have become major players in the global automotive market. BYD alone sold over 3 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2024, and models like the BYD Seal, Atto 3, and Dolphin are now available across Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas. As these vehicles enter more markets, buyers need a way to verify exactly what they are getting. A standard Western VIN decoder will identify a Chinese EV as a generic passenger car, but it will not tell you whether the battery is a BYD Blade LFP pack or a CATL NMC cell, whether the car has single or dual motors, or whether it supports 800-volt fast charging. A specialized Chinese EV VIN decoder fills that gap.

Why Chinese EVs Need Specialized VIN Decoding

Generic VIN decoders like those offered by the NHTSA or European databases were designed around internal combustion engine vehicles. They can parse the World Manufacturer Identifier to identify the brand and country of origin, and they can read the Vehicle Descriptor Section for body type and engine family. But Chinese EV manufacturers use the VDS positions differently. Instead of encoding a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, those same character positions might encode a 60.48 kWh Blade Battery with a permanent magnet synchronous motor rated at 150 kW. Without a decoder that understands these Chinese EV-specific mappings, you get incomplete or incorrect results.

This matters for practical reasons. If you are importing a BYD Atto 3 from China to Australia, you need to know whether the VIN corresponds to the Standard Range (49.92 kWh) or Extended Range (60.48 kWh) variant, because the battery size affects import duty calculations, insurance premiums, and resale value. If you are buying a used NIO ES6, the VIN tells you whether it was originally configured for battery swapping or a fixed battery pack, which determines your access to NIO's battery-as-a-service network. These are details that only a Chinese EV-specific VIN decoder can provide.

Electric Vehicle VIN Characteristics:

The 17-character VIN structure is standardized globally under ISO 3779 and ISO 3780, but manufacturers have flexibility in how they use positions 4 through 8, the Vehicle Descriptor Section. This is where EV VINs diverge significantly from their ICE counterparts. In a traditional car, these positions encode the engine displacement, fuel type, transmission, and body style. In a Chinese EV, these same positions encode the battery type and capacity, motor configuration and power output, drive type (RWD, AWD, or front-wheel drive), and the vehicle platform or architecture generation.

Position 10 still encodes the model year using the standard international system, where P represents 2023, R represents 2024, and S represents 2025. The assembly plant code in position 11 is particularly important for Chinese EVs because the same model can be built at different factories with different battery suppliers. A BYD Seal produced at the Shenzhen plant may use a different battery cell format than one assembled at the Changsha facility, even though the model name is identical. The VIN is the only reliable way to distinguish between these variants without physically inspecting the vehicle.

Sample Chinese EV VIN Decode: LGXCE4CB7R0234567

Positions 1-3 (WMI):  LGX = BYD Auto, Shenzhen plant
Position 4 (Type):    C   = Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Position 5 (Model):   E4  = Seal (sedan platform)
Position 6 (Battery): C   = Blade LFP, 82.56 kWh
Position 7 (Motor):   B   = Dual motor AWD, 390 kW total
Position 8 (Check):   7   = Check digit
Position 10 (Year):   R   = 2024 model year
Position 11 (Plant):  0   = Shenzhen, Guangdong
Positions 12-17:      234567 = Production sequence

Special EV Manufacturer Codes:

• BYD Electric: LGX (Blade Battery), LRV (LFP Battery)
• NIO Vehicles: LJV (Battery swapping), LHV (Standard battery)
• XPeng Motors: LPE (Long range), LPS (Standard range)
• Li Auto: LLD (Extended range), LLE (Pure electric)
• Tesla China: LRT (Model 3), LRW (Model Y)

BYD VIN Decoder: How to Read a BYD Electric Car VIN

BYD is the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer by volume, and their VIN structure reflects the complexity of their product lineup. BYD uses several World Manufacturer Identifiers depending on the factory and vehicle type. LGX identifies vehicles built at the main Shenzhen facility, while other codes correspond to plants in Changsha, Xi'an, Hefei, and the newer overseas facilities in Thailand and Brazil. The fourth character in a BYD VIN distinguishes between pure battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids under BYD's DM-i and DM-p systems. This distinction is critical because BYD's dual-mode hybrids share model names with their pure electric counterparts but have fundamentally different powertrains.

To decode a specific BYD model from the VIN, look at positions 5 and 6. These identify the model line: the Seal sedan, the Atto 3 compact SUV (known as Yuan Plus in China), the Dolphin hatchback, the Han flagship sedan, the Tang SUV, and the Seagull city car each have unique codes. Position 6 or 7, depending on the model year, encodes the battery variant. BYD's proprietary Blade Battery uses lithium iron phosphate chemistry in a cell-to-pack design, but different models receive different capacity packs ranging from 30.08 kWh in the Seagull to 108.8 kWh in the Han EV long range. The VIN is the only reliable way to confirm exactly which battery pack is installed, which directly affects range, charging speed, and resale value.

NIO VIN Decoder: Battery Swap and Standard Battery Identification

NIO's VIN structure is unique among Chinese EV manufacturers because it needs to account for the company's battery-as-a-service model. NIO vehicles are designed with swappable battery packs, and the VIN encodes whether the car was originally sold with a 75 kWh standard-range pack, a 100 kWh long-range pack, or under NIO's Battery-as-a-Service subscription where the owner leases the battery separately from the car. This information appears in the VDS section and is essential for used car buyers because a NIO purchased under the subscription model may have a lower purchase price but ongoing monthly battery lease payments.

NIO's model lineup, including the ES6 SUV, ET7 sedan, EC6 coupe SUV, ES8 full-size SUV, and the newer ET5 and ET5 Touring, each carry distinct VIN codes in positions 4 and 5. The assembly plant code in position 11 tells you whether the vehicle was built at the JAC-NIO joint venture factory in Hefei or at NIO's newer dedicated production facility. For international buyers, the VIN also reveals whether the vehicle was configured for the Chinese domestic market or built to export specifications with different charging connectors and software configurations.

XPeng VIN Decoder: Long Range vs Standard Range

XPeng Motors uses a straightforward VIN structure that clearly distinguishes between range variants and drivetrain configurations. The P7 sedan, G9 SUV, G6 compact SUV, and the newer X9 MPV each have unique model codes in the VDS section. XPeng differentiates between standard range and long range versions through a dedicated VIN position, which is important because the range difference can be substantial, often 100 to 150 kilometers between variants. XPeng also encodes their XNGP advanced driver assistance hardware level in the VIN, distinguishing between vehicles equipped with LiDAR sensors and camera-only configurations.

Li Auto VIN Decoder: Extended Range vs Pure Electric

Li Auto built its reputation on extended-range electric vehicles that pair a battery pack with a small petrol generator for range anxiety elimination. Their VIN structure must distinguish between these EREV models, like the L7, L8, and L9, and their newer pure electric models built on the dedicated BEV platform. The VIN's fourth character identifies the powertrain type, while subsequent positions encode whether the vehicle carries a 42.8 kWh battery for EREV operation or a larger pack for pure electric driving. For used car buyers, this distinction directly impacts fuel costs, maintenance requirements, and the vehicle's environmental credentials.

Tesla China VIN Decoder: How to Tell If a Tesla Was Made in China

Tesla's Gigafactory Shanghai produces Model 3 and Model Y vehicles for the Chinese domestic market and for export to Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. How do you tell if a Tesla was made in China versus the Fremont, California plant or the Berlin Gigafactory? The answer is in the first character of the VIN. A VIN starting with L indicates Chinese manufacturing, while 5 indicates the United States and W indicates Germany. Tesla China VINs use LRW for Model Y and LRT for Model 3, making identification immediate from just the first three characters.

Beyond the country of origin, a Tesla China VIN reveals the battery supplier and chemistry. Shanghai-built Teslas have used batteries from both CATL and BYD, with CATL supplying LFP cells for the standard range models and their own NMC cells for long range variants. The VIN encodes which supplier and chemistry is installed, which matters because LFP batteries handle daily charging to 100 percent without significant degradation, while NMC batteries are best kept between 20 and 80 percent for longevity. A Tesla VIN check through a Chinese-specific decoder reveals this battery information that Tesla's own online VIN lookup does not display.

Zeekr and Xiaomi VIN Formats

Newer Chinese EV brands like Zeekr, a premium brand under the Geely group, and Xiaomi, the technology company that entered the automotive market in 2024, use VIN structures that follow the same ISO standards but with their own manufacturer-specific codes. Zeekr vehicles, including the 001 shooting brake and the 007 sedan, carry WMI codes linked to Geely's manufacturing infrastructure but with distinct model identifiers that separate them from Geely, Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus vehicles that share the same parent company. Xiaomi's SU7 sedan uses a WMI code registered to Xiaomi's automotive subsidiary, and its VIN encodes the battery supplier choice between CATL and BYD, the motor configuration for the standard and Max variants, and whether the vehicle includes Xiaomi's proprietary autonomous driving hardware package.

• Character 6-7: Battery type and capacity
• LFP: Lithium Iron Phosphate (safer, longer life)
• NCM: Nickel Cobalt Manganese (higher energy density)
• BYD Blade: Proprietary LFP technology
• CATL: Contemporary Amperex Technology batteries

LFP vs NMC vs LMF: Battery Chemistry Explained

The battery chemistry encoded in a Chinese EV VIN has a direct impact on the vehicle's range, charging behavior, lifespan, safety profile, and resale value. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, used extensively by BYD in their Blade Battery design and by CATL in their standard-range cells, offer excellent thermal stability, longer cycle life of typically 3,000 to 5,000 charge cycles, and lower cost per kilowatt-hour. LFP cells can be safely charged to 100 percent daily without significant degradation, making them ideal for commuters. The trade-off is lower energy density, which means a larger and heavier battery pack is needed to achieve the same range as an NMC equivalent.

Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NMC) batteries, supplied primarily by CATL, Samsung SDI, and LG Energy Solution, pack more energy into less space and weight. This makes them the preferred choice for long-range and performance-oriented Chinese EVs. NMC cells typically deliver 20 to 30 percent more range per kilogram of battery weight compared to LFP, but they are more sensitive to heat, degrade faster when regularly charged to 100 percent, and carry a slightly higher risk of thermal runaway under extreme conditions. When you decode a Chinese EV VIN and see an NMC battery designation, expect better highway range but plan to keep daily charging between 20 and 80 percent for optimal battery longevity.

CATL vs BYD Blade: Battery Supplier Identification from VIN

Knowing the battery supplier matters because it affects warranty terms, replacement costs, and long-term reliability. CATL, or Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, is the world's largest EV battery manufacturer and supplies cells to Tesla China, XPeng, Li Auto, Zeekr, Xiaomi, and dozens of other Chinese and international automakers. BYD manufactures their own Blade Battery cells in-house, giving them vertical integration that other brands cannot match. The VIN encodes this supplier information through the battery type character in the VDS section. Some manufacturers, like Tesla China, have used both CATL and BYD batteries in the same model depending on the production period, making the VIN the only definitive way to confirm which supplier's cells are in a specific vehicle.

How to Check EV Battery Health Using VIN Data

A VIN decode tells you what battery was installed at the factory, but it does not tell you the current state of that battery after years of use. However, the VIN is your starting point for a complete battery health assessment. By decoding the VIN, you establish the original battery chemistry, capacity in kilowatt-hours, and manufacturing date. You can then compare the original specifications against a current State of Health reading obtained through an OBD diagnostic tool or a dealer battery health report. A BYD Blade Battery that left the factory with 60.48 kWh should still show above 55 kWh after five years of normal use. If it shows 48 kWh, that indicates abnormal degradation that warrants investigation.

Battery degradation patterns differ by chemistry, and the VIN tells you which chemistry to expect. LFP batteries like the BYD Blade typically show a very flat degradation curve, losing only 5 to 10 percent capacity over the first 200,000 kilometers before gradually declining. NMC batteries tend to lose capacity more linearly, with 10 to 15 percent loss in the first 100,000 kilometers depending on charging habits and climate exposure. When evaluating a used Chinese EV, decode the VIN first to identify the battery type, then request a battery health diagnostic to see if the actual degradation matches the expected curve for that chemistry. A significant deviation suggests the battery was subjected to excessive fast charging, extreme temperatures, or deep discharge cycles.

Motor Configuration Codes:

• Single Motor: Rear-wheel drive configuration
• Dual Motor: All-wheel drive with front/rear motors
• Triple Motor: High-performance configurations
• Motor power ratings encoded in positions 8-9

Understanding Motor Configurations from VIN Data

The motor configuration encoded in a Chinese EV VIN determines the vehicle's acceleration, traction characteristics, efficiency, and price tier. Single-motor setups are the most common and cost-effective configuration. Most single-motor Chinese EVs place the motor on the rear axle for rear-wheel drive, which provides better weight distribution and efficiency than front-wheel drive. The BYD Seal standard model, XPeng G6 base, and Tesla China Model 3 Standard Range all use this layout. The VIN's motor code will indicate a single permanent magnet synchronous motor with a power rating typically between 130 kW and 230 kW.

Dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations add a second motor on the front axle, providing significantly better acceleration and traction in all weather conditions. The combined power output jumps substantially: a dual-motor BYD Seal produces 390 kW compared to 150 kW for the single-motor version. Triple-motor setups, found in vehicles like the NIO ET7 Performance, place two motors on the rear axle and one on the front for maximum power delivery and torque vectoring capability. The VIN distinguishes between all of these configurations, and the difference in insurance costs, tire wear rates, and energy consumption between a single and dual motor variant of the same model can be significant. Always decode the motor configuration before purchasing a used Chinese EV to confirm you are getting the drivetrain you expect.

Charging Capability Information:

• DC Fast Charging: Maximum charging speed
• AC Charging: Home/workplace charging capacity
• V2G Capability: Vehicle-to-grid functionality
• Wireless Charging: Inductive charging support

Charging Specifications Encoded in VIN

The charging capability of a Chinese EV is one of the most practically important pieces of information encoded in the VIN. The difference between a vehicle that supports 400-volt DC fast charging at 120 kW and one built on an 800-volt architecture with 250 kW charging is the difference between a 40-minute and a 15-minute charge from 10 to 80 percent. Chinese EVs are at the forefront of 800-volt technology, with models like the Zeekr 001, XPeng G9, and BYD Seal using ultra-high-voltage platforms that dramatically reduce charging times. The VIN identifies which electrical architecture the vehicle was built with, and this cannot be upgraded after purchase.

Vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-load capabilities are also encoded in the VIN for models that support them. BYD vehicles with V2L functionality can output AC power from the vehicle's battery to run appliances or charge other devices, a feature that has become increasingly popular for camping and emergency backup power. The VIN distinguishes between models with and without this hardware. For buyers in markets where bidirectional charging incentives exist, such as parts of Australia and the UK, confirming V2G capability through the VIN before purchase ensures eligibility for grid services programs that can offset ownership costs.

Range and Performance Data:

• NEDC Range: New European Driving Cycle
• WLTP Range: Worldwide harmonized test procedure
• CLTC Range: China Light-duty Test Cycle
• Performance variants and sport packages

Understanding Range Test Standards: NEDC vs WLTP vs CLTC

When you decode a Chinese EV VIN and look up the vehicle's specifications, you will encounter range figures measured under different test standards, and the differences can be substantial. NEDC, the New European Driving Cycle, was the older European test standard that produced optimistic range numbers because it used gentle acceleration, low speeds, and no climate control. WLTP, the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, replaced NEDC in Europe and produces more realistic figures by incorporating higher speeds, sharper acceleration, and varied driving conditions. CLTC, the China Light-duty Test Cycle, is China's domestic standard and tends to produce range numbers that are 10 to 20 percent higher than WLTP for the same vehicle.

Why does this matter when reading a VIN report? Because the range specification attached to a Chinese EV VIN in Chinese databases uses CLTC figures. A BYD Seal listed as having a 700 km range under CLTC will deliver approximately 570 to 600 km under WLTP conditions, and real-world range with highway driving, climate control, and passenger load might be 480 to 530 km. If you are comparing a Chinese EV against European or American competitors, make sure you are comparing WLTP to WLTP, not CLTC to WLTP. The VIN decode identifies the exact battery capacity, which is the objective measure, while the range figure depends entirely on which test standard was applied.

Special EV Features Encoded:

• Autonomous driving hardware levels
• Advanced driver assistance systems
• OTA (Over-the-air) update capability
• Smart cabin and connectivity features

Battery Safety and Certification:

• Safety standard compliance (GB/T 31485)
• Fire safety ratings
• Thermal management systems
• Battery warranty information

Chinese EV Safety Standards and Certifications

China has developed some of the world's most stringent battery safety standards for electric vehicles, and compliance with these standards is encoded in the vehicle's certification records linked to the VIN. GB/T 31485 governs the safety requirements for EV battery packs and includes tests for overcharging, short circuit, crush, drop, thermal shock, and immersion. The newer GB 38031, which took effect in 2021, added a mandatory requirement that battery packs must provide at least five minutes of warning before thermal runaway, giving occupants time to evacuate. This standard was introduced after several high-profile EV fires in China and represents a safety benchmark that many international standards have not yet matched.

When you decode a Chinese EV VIN and pull the vehicle's full history report, the safety certification data confirms which standards the vehicle was built to meet. This is particularly important for imported vehicles because a car certified to GB 38031 in China may need additional testing to meet local safety requirements in Europe (ECE R100), the United States (FMVSS), or Australia (ADR). The VIN links to the original Chinese certification records, including the specific test results and the certifying laboratory. For buyers importing Chinese EVs independently rather than through official distribution channels, this certification data is essential for registration and insurance approval.

EV Recall Checks by VIN: How to Check for Chinese EV Recalls

Electric vehicle recalls are issued more frequently than many buyers realize, and Chinese EVs are no exception. Tesla China has issued recalls affecting millions of vehicles for issues ranging from autopilot software behavior to suspension components. BYD has recalled vehicles for battery management system updates and charging system fixes. NIO has issued recalls related to battery pack mounting brackets and software updates. The critical difference with EV recalls compared to ICE vehicles is that many EV recalls can be resolved through over-the-air software updates without a dealer visit, but some involve physical hardware replacement that must be performed at a service center.

To check for recalls on a Chinese EV, decode the VIN first to confirm the exact model, production year, and factory. Then check the recall database for the country where the vehicle is currently registered. In the United States, NHTSA maintains the recall database. In the UK, the DVSA handles vehicle recalls. In Australia, the ACCC product safety system tracks automotive recalls. However, a recall issued in China for a specific defect may not have been formally issued in your country yet, even though the same defect exists in your vehicle. A Chinese vehicle history report linked to the VIN will show all recalls issued in China for that specific production run, giving you advance warning of issues that your local transport authority has not yet flagged.

Chinese EV VIN Decoder Comparison: Specialized vs Generic Tools

Not all VIN decoders are created equal, and this is especially true for Chinese electric vehicles. Generic VIN decoders like the NHTSA VIN lookup or free online tools were built around databases of North American and European manufacturers. They can successfully decode a Ford, Toyota, or BMW VIN down to the trim level, but when you enter a Chinese EV VIN, they typically return only the country of origin, manufacturer name, and basic vehicle type. The battery chemistry, motor configuration, charging architecture, and model variant, the information that actually matters for a buying decision, comes back as blank or unknown.

A specialized Chinese EV VIN decoder accesses manufacturer-specific lookup tables maintained by BYD, NIO, XPeng, Li Auto, and other Chinese brands. It queries Chinese government vehicle databases that contain the full certification and specification records for every VIN registered in China. The result is a complete decode that tells you not just that you are looking at a BYD, but specifically that it is a 2024 Seal AWD Performance with an 82.56 kWh Blade Battery, dual motors producing 390 kW, 800-volt charging architecture, and V2L capability. This level of detail is the difference between knowing what brand of car you are looking at and knowing exactly what car you are looking at.

BYD vs Tesla: How VIN Decoding Reveals Manufacturing Differences

BYD and Tesla are the two largest EV manufacturers in the world, and both produce vehicles in China. But their VIN structures reveal fundamentally different manufacturing approaches. BYD manufactures their own batteries, motors, and power electronics in-house, so a BYD VIN points to a vertically integrated supply chain where every major component comes from BYD facilities. Tesla China sources batteries from CATL and BYD, motors from their own Shanghai factory, and various components from a global supplier network. When comparing a BYD Seal against a Tesla Model 3 made in Shanghai, decoding both VINs reveals whether the Tesla has CATL LFP or NMC cells, which directly affects range and charging behavior, while the BYD will always have Blade Battery cells regardless of production date.

Pre-Purchase Checklist for Chinese EVs Using VIN Data

• Decode the VIN using a specialized Chinese EV decoder to confirm battery chemistry, capacity, and supplier
• Verify the motor configuration matches the advertised trim level (single, dual, or triple motor)
• Check the charging architecture (400V or 800V) to ensure compatibility with your local fast charger network
• Confirm the model year and assembly plant, as different factories may use different component suppliers
• Run a recall check against both your local transport authority database and the Chinese recall database
• Request a battery State of Health diagnostic to compare current capacity against the VIN-decoded original spec
• Verify the range test standard (CLTC vs WLTP) and convert to realistic real-world expectations
• Check whether the vehicle was built for Chinese domestic market or export spec, as safety equipment may differ

Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese EV VIN Decoding

Q: How do I decode a BYD VIN?

Enter the 17-character VIN into a specialized Chinese EV VIN decoder. The first three characters identify the BYD factory. Positions 4 through 7 reveal the model (Seal, Atto 3, Dolphin, Han, etc.), powertrain type (BEV or DM-i hybrid), battery variant (Blade LFP with specific kWh capacity), and motor configuration. Position 10 gives the model year and position 11 identifies the specific assembly plant. A generic VIN decoder will identify the vehicle as a BYD passenger car but will not decode the battery, motor, or charging specifications.

Q: Can I tell the battery type from a VIN?

Yes. Chinese EV manufacturers encode the battery chemistry and often the capacity in the Vehicle Descriptor Section of the VIN, typically positions 6 and 7. For BYD, this identifies the specific Blade Battery variant. For Tesla China, it distinguishes between CATL LFP and CATL NMC cells. For NIO, it identifies the battery pack size (75 kWh, 100 kWh, or 150 kWh). You need a decoder with Chinese EV-specific lookup tables to read these positions correctly, as a generic decoder will not recognize the battery codes.

Q: How do I know if my Tesla was made in China?

Check the first character of the VIN. If it starts with L, the Tesla was manufactured at Gigafactory Shanghai in China. If it starts with 5, it was built at the Fremont, California plant in the United States. If it starts with W, it was produced at the Berlin Gigafactory in Germany. Tesla China VINs specifically use LRW for Model Y and LRT for Model 3. You can verify this instantly by looking at the VIN plate on the dashboard through the windshield or on the driver's door jamb sticker.

Q: What does CATL mean on a VIN report?

CATL stands for Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, the world's largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer based in Ningde, China. When a VIN report shows CATL as the battery supplier, it means the vehicle's battery cells were manufactured by CATL. CATL supplies both LFP and NMC chemistry cells to automakers including Tesla, XPeng, Li Auto, Zeekr, and Xiaomi. The specific chemistry (LFP or NMC) is encoded separately in the VIN and affects range, charging behavior, and long-term degradation patterns.

Q: Are Chinese EV VINs different from other VINs?

All VINs worldwide follow the same 17-character ISO 3779 standard, so the overall structure is identical. The difference is in how Chinese EV manufacturers use the flexible positions 4 through 8. Where a European car might encode a 2.0-liter diesel engine in those positions, a Chinese EV encodes battery chemistry, battery capacity, motor count, and charging architecture. The first character L always identifies China as the country of manufacture, and the WMI codes (positions 1-3) are unique to each Chinese manufacturer. A decoder needs Chinese manufacturer-specific lookup tables to interpret these positions correctly.

Q: Is there a free Chinese EV VIN decoder?

Our decoder provides free basic VIN decoding for all Chinese electric vehicles, including BYD, NIO, XPeng, Li Auto, Tesla China, Zeekr, Xiaomi, Geely, Chery, and Great Wall. The free decode identifies the manufacturer, model, year, assembly plant, battery type, and motor configuration. For a comprehensive vehicle history report that includes accident records, ownership history, odometer verification, recall status, and service logs from Chinese government databases, paid report plans are available starting at $1.99.