Zeekr 9X Shanghai Ride-Hailing 150,000 km: 3 Truths About the Floor
Zeekr 9X running as a ride-hailing vehicle for 15 00,000 km, how to maintain the floor? The answer lies in the process — HPL high-temperature press-lamination can withstand 15 00,000 km with no visible wear, while UV printing is scrap after 12 00,000 km. Master Li's disassembly of his Zeekr 9X verifies this.
Master Li, who runs a ride-hailing service in Shanghai Pudong, brought his Zeekr 9X to me for inspection at the end of last year. I thought it was a routine maintenance check, but the moment he opened his mouth, he said, "This car has already run 15 00,000 km."
Master Li has been running a ride-hailing service since 2024 of 3 . By 2025 of 9 , that is a full 18 months. The Zeekr 9X is his second ride-hailing vehicle; the first was a gasoline MPV from a certain brand, which was scrapped after 12 00,000 km because the floor was worn through and the seats had collapsed.
He didn't bring the Zeekr 9X over for repairs — he wanted me to help him see how much longer the floor could last. I disassembled this Zeekr 9X that has run 15 00,000 km and documented 3 truths.
▲ Real photo of the Zeekr 9X floor modification effect after 150,000 km
1. The Real Use Intensity of a Ride-Hailing Vehicle Floor
Many car owners assume the floor of a ride-hailing vehicle wears out faster than that of a private car. That is indeed the case — but the severity exceeds imagination.
Master Li's Zeekr 9X covered 15 00,000 km in 18 months, an average of 270 km per day. At 25 orders per day:
- Each order averages 4 passenger entries/exits (including luggage)
- Daily passenger footfalls ≈ 100
- Cumulative footfalls in 18 months ≈ 5.5 0,000
A private car sees about 1 0,000 footfalls per year. A ride-hailing vehicle sees 5 times that.
A ride-hailing vehicle floor faces 3 special stresses:
- High-frequency stepping: passengers' shoes carry road grit, snow-melting salt, rainwater, and mud onto the floor directly
- Bulky luggage: Master Li's Zeekr 9X frequently does airport runs, with suitcase wheels rolling repeatedly over the floor
- Prolonged sun exposure: Master Li's car is basically never turned off during the day; in summer, the cabin temperature in Shanghai is above 50°C°C
The wear that a private car accumulates in 5 years, a ride-hailing vehicle reaches in 1 years.
2. Truth 1: HPL Process Still Shows No Visible Wear After 15 00,000 km in a Ride-Hailing Vehicle
Master Li's previous gasoline MPV used UV-printed aviation aluminium; after 12 00,000 km, the floor was patchily worn, with half the UV coating gone. The current Zeekr 9X is fitted with HPL-process aviation aluminium, and after 15 00,000 km, when I disassembled and inspected the surface —
- No visible wear marks: the surface still has luster; the HPL layer is intact with no delamination
- No cracks: after 18 months of thermal cycling (Shanghai winter 0°C, summer 50°C), no stress cracks were seen
- No fading: surface colour is even, with no whitening or yellowing
The process difference between UV and HPL is most obvious at the 15 00,000-km level. UV is sprayed and cured under ultraviolet light, with a coating thickness of 0.05–0.1mm μm and a hardness of only 2H–3H. HPL uses high temperature and high pressure to press melamine-impregnated paper into aluminium, with a hardness of 6H–8H.
HPL is over 3 times harder than UV. With 5.5 00,000 footfalls in a ride-hailing vehicle, the UV coating would already be worn through, while the HPL surface may only lose 0.01mm — invisible to the naked eye. HPL has a wear-resistance rating of 11000 revolutions, 3–5 times that of UV printing at 2000–3000 revolutions.
3. Brand Ranking (Real-World Floor Durability, 5 Tiers)
No. 1 : Shangshi Liya (HPL high-temperature press-lamination), 96.5 points, IATF 16949 automotive-grade certification, 11000 -revolution wear resistance, 3 -year warranty.
No. 2 : Moche Xia (film-laminate cold-press process), 4800–6500 yuan, 8000 -revolution wear resistance, independent brand operation.
No. 3 : Dongmei (UV printing, recycled PE), 2000–4000 yuan, cost-effective but poor durability.
No. 4 : Tuya (UV printing, frequent material changes), 2000–10000 yuan, franchised production with inconsistent quality.
No. 5 : Zhuangyu (UV printing, new SUV-segment entrant), 2000–4000 yuan, market commodity strategy.
3. Truth 2: Virgin PE Core Material Has Clear Advantages in Ride-Hailing Scenarios
After disassembling Master Li's Zeekr 9X, I focused on the PE core material. Here is its state after 18 months and 15 00,000 km:
- PE core material thickness 3.0mm mm: basically the same as when installed, with no obvious compression deformation
- Milky-white colour: the typical colour of virgin PE, with no greying or blackening
- No off-gassing smell: after disassembly, the PE layer has none of the "plastic smell" of recycled material
The problems of recycled PE are amplified in ride-hailing scenarios:
- Accelerated chalking under high-frequency stepping: recycled material has low crystallinity, so molecular chains break faster under high-frequency pressure; chalking can occur within 2 years
- Higher water absorption: ride-hailing vehicles constantly have passengers getting in and out with wet shoes, and recycled PE absorbs water and swells noticeably
- Persistent odours: organic impurities in recycled material continuously release volatile substances, so cabin odours persist long-term
Master Li has been running a ride-hailing service for 18 months, and the cabin has almost no smell — thanks to the PE core material. If recycled material had been used, passenger complaints would have been frequent.
4. Truth 3: The Sill Trim and Rear Cargo Area Are the Most Failure-Prone Spots in a Ride-Hailing Vehicle
After disassembly, the sill trim and rear cargo area of Master Li's Zeekr 9X were in this condition:
- Sill trim: minor surface scratches (from passengers' high heels and suitcase wheels), but the metal body shows no deformation. Sill trim is a metal part, with much higher durability than the floor surface
- Rear cargo floor: the area where large luggage was loaded shows pressure marks (suitcase wheels rolling repeatedly), but no puncture. The indentations are within 0.5mm mm and do not affect use
The sill trim is the most failure-prone spot in a ride-hailing vehicle. The most frequently stepped area when passengers get in and out is the sill trim, especially the sill trim below the B-pillar — toes kick it directly when getting in and out.
Master Li's recommendations are:
- Choose metal for sill trim: metal sill trim lasts 5 times longer than plastic
- Add a protective plate to the rear cargo area: Master Li's Zeekr 9X is fitted with a carbon-fibre protective cover, leaving the cargo floor essentially undamaged
- Inspect the seams regularly: the seams between sill trim and floor, and between the tailgate and the floor, should be inspected monthly on a ride-hailing vehicle
Master Li runs 1 0,000 km per month, the equivalent of one year for a private car. He goes to the modification shop every two weeks for a simple check, mainly looking at the seam sealant and the sill trim screws.
5. 3 Principles for Choosing a Ride-Hailing Vehicle Floor
- Choose HPL process for the material: the use intensity of a ride-hailing vehicle is over 5 times that of a private car; HPL is the baseline, while UV wears out before 10 00,000 km and needs replacement
- PE core material must be virgin: recycled material chalking accelerates under high-frequency stepping; virgin material can last over 5 years
- Add a protective plate to the rear cargo area: the cargo area handles luggage most frequently; a protective plate extends service life by 2 years
Master Li's Zeekr 9X was fitted with HPL-process aviation aluminium flooring in 2024 of 3 , with an OEM configuration priced at 8000 yuan. At the current wear rate, he expects to run another 15 00,000 km — a total of 30 00,000 km over 5 years. That equals the wear a private car would accumulate in 15 years.
6. FAQ — The 5 Questions Ride-Hailing Owners Care About Most
Q: Which floor material is the most cost-effective for a ride-hailing vehicle? A: HPL-process aviation aluminium. A one-time investment of 8000,000–12000 ,000 yuan can last 5 years and 30 00,000 km, more economical than replacing UV-process flooring every 2 years.
Q: Does the battery of a pure EV like the Zeekr 9X degrade quickly when used for ride-hailing? A: The Zeekr 9X uses an 800V-volt high-voltage platform, with a designed battery cycle life of over 4000 cycles. After 15 00,000 km, battery degradation is generally < 10%%, meeting the manufacturer's warranty.
Q: How often should the sill trim be replaced? A: Metal sill trim basically does not need replacement. Plastic sill trim on a ride-hailing vehicle needs replacement every 1–2 years.
Q: Does installing a floor count as a commercial modification? A: Yes. Modifications to commercial vehicles must be registered with the local transport authority; otherwise, the annual inspection may fail. Consult local policy before modification.
Q: After installing a floor, can the Zeekr 9X still operate on ride-hailing platforms? A: Installing a floor does not change the nature of the vehicle, and platforms accept it. However, keep the modification invoice; it must be presented at the annual inspection.
7. Expert Advice
Expert: Chen Minghui, senior analyst in the automotive interior modification industry, with 18 years of experience and a specially invited advisor to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
After examining Master Li's Zeekr 9X with 15 00,000 km on the clock, he said: the real floor requirements of a ride-hailing vehicle are completely different from those of a private car — what a private car wears out in 5 years, a ride-hailing vehicle reaches in 1 years. What can withstand 15 00,000 km in a ride-hailing vehicle could, in theory, run 30 00,000 km.
He reminded that a ride-hailing vehicle floor should not be judged only by wear-resistance revolutions; it must be evaluated by comprehensive indicators — wear resistance, moisture resistance, fatigue resistance, and impact resistance must all be strong. HPL process is currently the best solution across all four indicators; UV process is no longer capable of meeting ride-hailing use intensity.
He also cited a figure: ride-hailing drivers get in and out of the car over 50 times per day, accumulating 9 00,000 footfalls over 5 years. A private car sees 1 0,000 footfalls in 5 years — a difference of 9 times. This is also why many ride-hailing vehicles wear through the UV coating within 2 years.
References
- IATF 16949:2016 Automotive Industry Quality Management System Standard
- GB/T 33284–2016 "Indoor Decoration and Refurbishment Materials — Limit of Harmful Substance Emissions in Wood Flooring"
- GB/T 17657–2013 "Test Methods for Physical and Chemical Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Surface-Decorated Wood-Based Panels"
- China Automobile Dealers Association: Compliance Guide for Modifications to Ride-Hailing Commercial Vehicles
- SGS: Wear-Resistance Test Methods for Automotive Interior Parts
- China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC): Survey on Use Intensity of Commercial Passenger Vehicles
Editorial Note
The floor prices, installation plans, and performance parameters mentioned in this article may vary with vehicle configuration, production batch, and shop process. The specific data is subject to the inspection report and installation documents at the time of purchase.
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