https://www.scmp.com/rss/519736/feed Stay updated on China’s booming electric vehicle industry, a key driver of global EV adoption and sustainability efforts. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla has regained the global pure electric vehicle (EV) crown for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2024, after its deliveries rose 6.5 per cent year on year in the three months ending March. The modest increase was enough for the US carmaker to beat China’s EV king BYD, which posted a 25.5 per cent drop in sales during the first quarter of 2026. Tesla’s deliveries worldwide between January and March hit 358,023 units, it said in a statement on Thursday. Tesla builds only pure electric... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348898/tesla-outraces-chinas-byd-pure-electric-car-sales-regain-worlds-top-spot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348898/tesla-outraces-chinas-byd-pure-electric-car-sales-regain-worlds-top-spot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Leapmotor, one of China’s strongest-performing electric vehicle (EV) makers this year, is accelerating its global push with a new innovation centre in Europe and plans for potential local assembly in Canada, as it looks to entrench production of its low-cost smart cars overseas. The Hangzhou-based carmaker, backed by Fiat owner Stellantis, has also raised its overseas sales target by 50 per cent, betting that higher fuel costs and easing trade barriers will bolster demand for Chinese-made... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348847/leapmotor-targets-global-growth-europe-rd-hub-eyes-canada-assembly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348847/leapmotor-targets-global-growth-europe-rd-hub-eyes-canada-assembly?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 02:00:14 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers posted a strong rebound in sales last month, shaking off the weak start to the year as local government subsidies and aggressive financing incentives drew in first-time buyers. Momentum is expected to carry through the coming months, with dozens of new models set to debut at the Auto China show in Beijing, likely to stimulate fresh demand. “The sweeping improvement in deliveries revived hopes for a steady [EV] market after a woeful performance in January and... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348799/china-ev-makers-surge-back-march-subsidies-and-financing-spur-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348799/china-ev-makers-surge-back-march-subsidies-and-financing-spur-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:12 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. The Iran war could widen China’s EV lead over its global rivals. Here’s why Surging oil prices driven by the US-Israel war on Iran could accelerate the global adoption of electric vehicles – a sector that helped China overtake Japan to become the world’s largest seller of automobiles... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348606/chinas-electric-cars-and-iran-war-byds-profit-run-ends-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348606/chinas-electric-cars-and-iran-war-byds-profit-run-ends-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:30:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s largest producer of lithium metal, is envisioning an “explosive growth” in the global energy storage system (ESS) market in 2026, spurred by higher prices of the key battery material and buoyant demand for renewable energy infrastructure. Executives including president Wang Xiaoshen told an investors’ conference on Tuesday that the global decarbonisation drive had created a strong and sustainable trajectory for Ganfeng, which swung from loss to profit last... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348628/ganfeng-lithium-forecasts-strong-battery-demand-amid-china-us-rivalry-renewable-energy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348628/ganfeng-lithium-forecasts-strong-battery-demand-amid-china-us-rivalry-renewable-energy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:21 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The era of price wars in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market is giving way to a new contest: who can deliver better technology at the same price. On a cloudy evening in March, Shenzhen-based BYD put forward its answer with the unveiling of a battery capable of charging from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes – and to 97 per cent in nine minutes. The company said it would apply the technology to models priced as low as 155,000 yuan (US$22,500) while building 20,000 charging stations this... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348131/how-chinas-ev-makers-think-they-can-outrun-disastrous-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348131/how-chinas-ev-makers-think-they-can-outrun-disastrous-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Daniel Ren,Cheryl Arcibal Daniel Ren,Cheryl Arcibal China’s electric vehicle (EV) king BYD posted its first annual profit drop in four years as it faced intensifying competition from domestic rivals in a cutthroat market. The Shenzhen-based company reported a net profit of 32.6 billion yuan (US$4.72 billion) for 2025, down 18.97 per cent from a year earlier, according to a filing to the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges. That missed a consensus forecast of 35.4 billion yuan in a Bloomberg survey of analysts. Revenue grew 3.46 per cent to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348207/byds-four-year-profit-run-ends-eyes-global-markets-next-engine-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348207/byds-four-year-profit-run-ends-eyes-global-markets-next-engine-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Rising fuel costs triggered by the Middle East crisis are emerging as an unexpected tailwind for China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers, as consumers increasingly pivot towards battery-powered cars to avoid surging petrol bills. With Brent crude climbing past the psychologically significant US$100-a-barrel mark – and now trading above US$110 – mainland buyers are turning away from petrol vehicles, according to dealers and analysts. “It’s a no-brainer for me now,” said Wang Wenbo, a 25-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3348200/pain-pump-fuels-ev-rush-china-driving-timely-boost-carmakers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3348200/pain-pump-fuels-ev-rush-china-driving-timely-boost-carmakers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:00:18 +0000 Andy Xie Andy Xie The Iran war’s oil shock has dramatically increased the security risk for oil-dependent countries, incentivising a turn towards renewable energy. This impact will outlast the war and oil price spikes because the world knows this war will recur. China will be the biggest beneficiary and its exports are likely to do very well this year, offsetting losses from buying higher-priced oil. A fifth of the global supply of oil and liquefied natural gas plus a third of seaborne fertilisers traditionally... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3347634/oil-shocked-world-turns-renewables-china-will-reap-rewards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3347634/oil-shocked-world-turns-renewables-china-will-reap-rewards?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:30:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese self-driving technology firm Pony AI plans to launch robotaxi services with partners Uber Technologies and Verne in Zagreb, Croatia, spearheading commercialisation of autonomous cabs in Europe amid an accelerated go-global drive. The three companies aimed to operate a fleet of thousands of robotaxis in various European cities over the next few years after achieving consistent performance and safety, Guangzhou-based Pony said on Thursday. Neither the starting date for the service nor the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348026/chinas-pony-ai-launch-robotaxi-service-europe-uber-local-start?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348026/chinas-pony-ai-launch-robotaxi-service-europe-uber-local-start?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:31:20 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s two biggest makers of lidar sensors for cars, Hesai Group and RoboSense Technology, have ramped up investments in robotics products as the country consolidates its leading position in building a global supply chain for the fast-growing sector. Shanghai-based Hesai, the world’s largest producer of lidar sensors that help cars map terrain, planned to spend 200 million yuan (US$28.9 million) this year to design and manufacture “eyes and muscles” for robots, creating a new growth engine... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347995/chinas-lidar-giants-pivot-robotics-jensen-huang-praises-chinese-supply-chain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347995/chinas-lidar-giants-pivot-robotics-jensen-huang-praises-chinese-supply-chain?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:12:13 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Rising memory-chip costs could reshape the smartphone industry, said Xiaomi president William Lu Weibing, after weak smartphone sales cut into the firm’s fourth-quarter profit. Memory prices were surging at a magnitude “beyond imagination”, drawing smartphone makers into a long-term price-raising cycle, Lu said on an earnings call on Tuesday. “When the price-raising cycle ends, some players may suffer significant losses or even face closure,” he said, without elaborating. However, the challenge... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3347728/xiaomi-profit-drops-27-weaker-smartphone-sales-chinese-firms-ev-growth-slows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3347728/xiaomi-profit-drops-27-weaker-smartphone-sales-chinese-firms-ev-growth-slows?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:27:27 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang Surging oil prices driven by the US-Israel war on Iran could accelerate the global adoption of electric vehicles – a sector that helped China overtake Japan to become the world’s largest seller of automobiles last year. “The closure of the Strait of Hormuz could be a game-changer for EVs,” said David Brown, director of energy transition research at Wood Mackenzie, in a report released on Friday. The “eye-watering” 50 per cent surge in global oil prices so far this month would further incentivise... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347583/why-iran-war-could-be-game-changer-evs-and-chinas-car-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347583/why-iran-war-could-be-game-changer-evs-and-chinas-car-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:00:16 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Xiaomi’s updated SU7 electric vehicle (EV) is expected to bite into the market share of Tesla and some domestic rivals in China, as demand weakens and regulators tighten oversight. Founder and CEO Lei Jun on Thursday announced official pricing for the new-generation smart sedan, with the standard edition starting at 219,900 yuan (US$31,900) and the pro and max variants set at 249,900 yuan and 303,900 yuan, respectively. The figures are 10,000 yuan lower than pre-sale estimates, but 4,000 yuan... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3347259/xiaomis-new-generation-su7-launch-sparks-fresh-ev-fight-tesla-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3347259/xiaomis-new-generation-su7-launch-sparks-fresh-ev-fight-tesla-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:29:50 +0000 Themis Qi,Julie Zhang Themis Qi,Julie Zhang Chinese authorities have renewed their push for stricter oversight of the electric vehicle (EV) market, urging carmakers to move away from aggressive discounting and focus instead on technological innovation. The directive comes as domestic manufacturers struggle with cooling demand and the phasing out of long-standing government subsidies. At a high-level meeting on March 17, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission and the State... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347145/china-presses-ev-makers-end-price-war-and-focus-innovation-demand-cools?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347145/china-presses-ev-makers-end-price-war-and-focus-innovation-demand-cools?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:50:48 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Geely beats BYD sales in first 2 months of 2026 to become China’s top carmaker Geely Auto has gained the upper hand in mainland China’s intensifying automotive sector, as its diverse product line-up pays off after electric vehicle (EV) king BYD suffered a setback following partial... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346983/chinas-geely-beats-byd-sales-catls-profit-surges-42-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346983/chinas-geely-beats-byd-sales-catls-profit-surges-42-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:30:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese carmakers, saddled with excess capacity and weak demand at home, are taking a new approach to global expansion: utilising idled facilities abandoned by international marques. By adopting an asset-light strategy, companies from Geely Auto to Great Wall Motor (GWM) can assemble their cars overseas at lower costs, broadening their influence on the global automotive sector, according to analysts. “Mindful of profitability as well as geopolitical and operating risks, Chinese carmakers are... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346472/carpool-chinese-giants-use-idled-foreign-plants-fuel-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346472/carpool-chinese-giants-use-idled-foreign-plants-fuel-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 12:00:07 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu BMW could be approaching the end of the tunnel in China as signs of stabilisation raise hopes of a turnaround after the German carmaker reported that sales dropped by double digits in the key market in 2025. “Transaction prices in the market for our products have stabilised … and are actually improving slightly compared to [the third quarter],” said Walter Mertl, chief financial officer, during a press conference on Thursday. “If the run rate continues this way, we have the opportunity to go... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346403/bmw-sees-smoother-road-ahead-china-after-sales-skid-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346403/bmw-sees-smoother-road-ahead-china-after-sales-skid-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:48 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Geely Auto has gained the upper hand in mainland China’s intensifying automotive sector, as its diverse product line-up pays off after electric vehicle (EV) king BYD suffered a setback following partial withdrawal of a tax break. Controlled by Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, Geely overtook BYD in sales during the first two months of the year because of its vehicles’ quality and reliability, even as Beijing intensified efforts to curb price competition among carmakers, according to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346089/geely-auto-beats-byd-sales-first-2-months-2026-become-chinas-top-carmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346089/geely-auto-beats-byd-sales-first-2-months-2026-become-chinas-top-carmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Iris Deng,Themis Qi Iris Deng,Themis Qi Leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has unveiled a new-generation battery featuring charging speeds that the company says can rival a refill at a petrol station. BYD’s Blade Battery 2.0, launched on Thursday, can be charged from 10 per cent to 70 per cent in five minutes, and to 97 per cent in nine minutes, which the company said was the world’s fastest charging speed for a mass-manufactured unit. Even in extreme weather, with temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3345652/chinas-byd-looks-make-electric-vehicle-charging-fast-filling-petrol?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3345652/chinas-byd-looks-make-electric-vehicle-charging-fast-filling-petrol?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:15:28 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao The founder and chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) said his company plans to ramp up the use of artificial intelligence in research and take Chinese battery technology and standards further overseas, as the battery giant maps the next phase of growth. The world’s largest maker of electric vehicle (EV) batteries would step up research and development (R&D) spending and apply more AI methods to strengthen its technological edge, said billionaire Robin Zeng Yuqun at a briefing... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3345432/chinas-ev-battery-leader-catl-step-use-ai-rd-founder-and-chairman-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3345432/chinas-ev-battery-leader-catl-step-use-ai-rd-founder-and-chairman-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:33:14 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Low-cost models dominate China EV sales, surpassing Tesla and BYD Amid intensifying competition among Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) makers last year, relatively inexpensive models from Geely Auto and Wuling Motor Holdings topped the sales chart, surpassing cars from BYD and Tesla. 2.... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3345201/low-cost-models-surpass-tesla-china-geely-makes-bets-amid-price-wars-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3345201/low-cost-models-surpass-tesla-china-geely-makes-bets-amid-price-wars-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:30:08 +0000 Themis Qi,Zhu Wenqian Themis Qi,Zhu Wenqian The head of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng said the country should accelerate the development of autonomous driving technology amid slowing sales growth in the sector. He Xiaopeng, founder and CEO of the Guangzhou-based company, said on Monday that the country should skip an intermediate step and move directly to a more advanced version of autonomous capabilities, adding that Beijing should adjust regulations and policies faster to make this happen. He said he would submit this... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3345163/why-wait-china-should-skip-step-self-driving-cars-xpeng-founder-and-ceo-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3345163/why-wait-china-should-skip-step-self-driving-cars-xpeng-founder-and-ceo-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:33:07 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang More major US companies are set to join Beijing’s premier supply chain expo this summer, including its first artificial intelligence (AI) section, as business ties between the two superpowers enter a state of fragile stabilisation. A fresh wave of leading United States enterprises, alongside prominent figures from American academia and politics, will attend the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing in June, its organiser, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345131/china-supply-chain-expo-set-welcome-more-us-firms-june-launch-ai-section?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345131/china-supply-chain-expo-set-welcome-more-us-firms-june-launch-ai-section?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:59 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Ahead of China’s annual legislative meetings – typically a window into Beijing’s top-level policy agenda – this is the fifth entry in a series examining the complex economic recalibration driving China’s growth philosophy and its wide-ranging implications for local governments, financial investors and private enterprises. Chinese government and industry officials are likely to discuss plans to control domestic electric-vehicle (EV) makers’ output, while encouraging them to prioritise... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3344899/top-chinese-officials-industry-leaders-may-discuss-capping-ev-output-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3344899/top-chinese-officials-industry-leaders-may-discuss-capping-ev-output-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Geely Auto – assembler of mainland China’s bestselling pure electric vehicle (EV), the Galaxy Xingyuan – said it is betting on longer-range and faster-charging technologies, rather than price cuts, to consolidate its leading position in the world’s largest car market. Jerry Gan Jiayue, CEO of the firm’s car subsidiary, pledged that the carmaker, as a bellwether player, would “oppose involution”, while staying committed to driving the growth of China’s automobile sector. Involution refers to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3344489/chinese-ev-maker-geely-bets-longer-range-faster-charging-tech-over-another-price-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3344489/chinese-ev-maker-geely-bets-longer-range-faster-charging-tech-over-another-price-war?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:47:39 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese insurers underwriting electric vehicle (EV) policies have a better chance of turning a profit this year, supported by higher premiums, intelligent pricing mechanisms and improved claims-handling efficiency. A turnaround in mainland China’s EV insurance market, against the backdrop of a bearish outlook for the automotive sector, will accelerate the pace of electrification on the country’s roads, according to industry officials and analysts. “Heavy losses in the insurance business used to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3344267/chinas-ev-insurers-move-towards-profitability-higher-premiums-ai-adoption?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3344267/chinas-ev-insurers-move-towards-profitability-higher-premiums-ai-adoption?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 02:30:08 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang Having electrified its highways, China is mobilising its shipbuilding prowess and battery giants such as CATL to overhaul some shipping fleets, betting that the revolution in green transport can float as well as it drives. The shift towards clean energy underscores Beijing’s broader decarbonisation commitment – vowing to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve neutrality by 2060. These goals have spurred substantial strides in renewable capacity installation, end-use revamps, new technology... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344150/china-amps-electric-ships-push-decarbonise-waterways-leverage-ev-prowess?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344150/china-amps-electric-ships-push-decarbonise-waterways-leverage-ev-prowess?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:00:15 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Rising battery costs and a cooling car market are likely to tilt China’s electric-vehicle race in favour of hybrids this year, as budget-conscious consumers turn away from fully electric models, analysts say. Material cost inflation is expected to slow momentum for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), allowing plug-in hybrids to regain market share after years of rapid electrification in the world’s largest car market. “A loss of pure electric car sales can be expected this year due to consumers’... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3343905/chinas-ev-momentum-slows-pricier-batteries-steer-drivers-hybrids?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3343905/chinas-ev-momentum-slows-pricier-batteries-steer-drivers-hybrids?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Owning a white vehicle in China may mean lower car insurance premiums because it is less likely to get in an accident, according to an executive from SunCar Technology Group, which uses artificial intelligence from ByteDance to personalise services. “This is what we found based on our massive data,” said SunCar chief strategy officer Breaux Walker in an interview with the South China Morning Post. Other factors also affect premiums, including car usage, commuting routes and driving habits.... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3343034/white-cars-cheaper-insurance-how-ai-changing-automotive-services-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3343034/white-cars-cheaper-insurance-how-ai-changing-automotive-services-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:00:09 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China becomes Brazil’s biggest vehicle exporter in January, surpassing Argentina China surpassed Argentina in January to become Brazil’s largest exporter of vehicles, solidifying Chinese brands’ dominance in the region’s biggest car market and undercutting a long-standing Argentine... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3343881/catls-battery-game-changer-teslas-ai-training-centre-china-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3343881/catls-battery-game-changer-teslas-ai-training-centre-china-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:30:07 +0000 Themis Qi,Daniel Ren Themis Qi,Daniel Ren China has banned carmakers from selling new vehicles for less than it costs to make them, including through discounts and subsidies, as regulators continue trying to smother a persistent price war that has sent hopes of profitability up in smoke for most producers. In “pricing guidance” released on Thursday, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) listed a series of tactics that would result in below-cost pricing for new vehicles, warning that carmakers using any of them would face... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3343429/beijing-warns-carmakers-stop-killing-your-profitability-hopes-selling-below-cost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3343429/beijing-warns-carmakers-stop-killing-your-profitability-hopes-selling-below-cost?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:38:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Major Chinese carmakers have cut their lengthy supplier payment cycles – previously used to offset costs and stay competitive in the country’s vast auto market – from nearly a year to less than 60 days, a government-backed industry consortium said, following heightened efforts from Beijing to police the cutthroat sector. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said in a statement on Thursday that the 17 assemblers it recently investigated took an average of 54 days to pay their... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3343294/chinas-carmakers-cut-supplier-payment-cycles-amid-beijings-price-war-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3343294/chinas-carmakers-cut-supplier-payment-cycles-amid-beijings-price-war-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:11 +0000 Dominik Mierzejewski Dominik Mierzejewski As we get ready for the Year of the Horse, preparations for the Spring Festival Gala, the most important event on China’s television calendar, are well under way. Most viewers will see choreography, spectacle and national pride – as well as humanoid robots. Policymakers and markets, however, should see something else: a carefully staged signal of how China’s political economy is positioning for the next cycle of industrial overcapacity – and its global consequences. The gala has become a... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3342407/after-solar-panels-and-evs-overcapacity-coming-chinas-robots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3342407/after-solar-panels-and-evs-overcapacity-coming-chinas-robots?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:30:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Contemporary Amperex Technology’s (CATL) new batteries are ready to be used in extreme cold areas like Antarctica, according to a top engineer, as the Chinese giant eyes untapped markets amid keen electric vehicle (EV) competition. CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery, which will be applied in mass-produced passenger cars for the first time globally this year, is undergoing winter testing in vehicles in chilly Inner Mongolia, the firm and its partner China Changan Automobile Group announced last... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342907/catls-new-innovation-expands-ev-battery-horizons-untapped-cold-regions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342907/catls-new-innovation-expands-ev-battery-horizons-untapped-cold-regions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:30:12 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese self-driving technology firm Pony AI has started mass production of a robotaxi co-developed with Toyota, taking an important step forward in commercialising autonomous cabs worldwide. The Guangzhou-based company said on Monday that 1,000 driverless cabs of this kind would roll off the production line this year, to be deployed in top-tier mainland Chinese cities. The cars will reinforce Pony AI’s plan to operate a total robotaxi fleet of more than 3,000 units in various mainland and... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342953/pony-ai-and-toyota-roll-out-mass-produced-robotaxis-chinas-autonomous-drive-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342953/pony-ai-and-toyota-roll-out-mass-produced-robotaxis-chinas-autonomous-drive-push?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:28:20 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio plans to add another 1,000 battery swapping stations to its network this year, adding to its US$2.6 billion bet on the technology despite a challenge from fast-charging batteries as it touts its 100 millionth swap. The company’s 3,729 stations allow owners of compatible Nio EVs to exchange a spent battery pack for a charged one in just three minutes, and most navigate the car into position automatically. Created to ease anxiety over range and slow... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342899/chinas-nio-raises-us26-billion-bet-ev-battery-swapping-plans-add-1000-stations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342899/chinas-nio-raises-us26-billion-bet-ev-battery-swapping-plans-add-1000-stations?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:00:30 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla has begun operating a China-focused artificial intelligence training centre to enhance its cars’ self-driving capabilities in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market, following Beijing’s deregulation of the technology. Grace Tao, vice-president of Tesla, told Shanghai-based financial news outlet Cailian on Friday that the centre had sufficient computing power to support development of assisted-driving features. However, she did not disclose details such as the centre’s location or... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342726/tesla-launches-china-ai-training-centre-self-driving-race-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342726/tesla-launches-china-ai-training-centre-self-driving-race-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:07:39 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) has deployed the world’s first sodium-ion batteries in passenger cars, as it aims to stay ahead in China’s fiercely competitive electric vehicle (EV) market amid price volatility in traditional lithium-ion batteries. The company’s new Naxtra battery will be installed in China Changan Automobile Group EVs this week for winter testing in the chilly Inner Mongolia autonomous region in the country’s north. “The breakthroughs in sodium-ion technology bring... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342481/chinas-catl-tests-evs-and-lithiums-dominance-pioneering-sodium-ion-battery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342481/chinas-catl-tests-evs-and-lithiums-dominance-pioneering-sodium-ion-battery?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 07:00:37 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Electric vehicle deliveries in mainland China slumped by more than 40 per cent in January, darkening the outlook for a sector grappling with rising production costs and the gradual withdrawal of government support. The country’s roughly 50 electric carmakers sold about 900,000 vehicles last month, down 42.3 per cent from 1.56 million units in December, according to preliminary data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Wednesday. The figures, which include retail sales,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342410/chinas-turbocharged-ev-market-hits-speed-bump-amid-falling-sales-and-rising-costs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342410/chinas-turbocharged-ev-market-hits-speed-bump-amid-falling-sales-and-rising-costs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:47:41 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China’s flying car makers aim for deliveries this year as passenger use nears China could see its first flying car begin carrying paying passengers in 2026, as government backing and a growing pipeline of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle makers push the country’s... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342319/xiaomis-tesla-killer-beijing-ottawa-tariff-deal-promising-china-market-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342319/xiaomis-tesla-killer-beijing-ottawa-tariff-deal-promising-china-market-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:00:41 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla has spearheaded a new round of low-interest, long-term loans to spur electric vehicle (EV) sales in mainland China, prompting domestic rivals such as Nio and Xpeng to follow suit in a cutthroat market grappling with raw-material inflation. However, fresh competition in car financing – while better than another bruising discount war – may not be enough to shore up deliveries as consumers refrain from buying cars due to reduced government incentives. “All EV makers are facing a dilemma this... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342310/tesla-xiaomi-vie-chinese-ev-buyers-cheaper-longer-loans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342310/tesla-xiaomi-vie-chinese-ev-buyers-cheaper-longer-loans?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 03:32:52 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers got off to a bumpy start in 2026 as they reported falling deliveries in January due to softening government support. Shares of Hong Kong-listed BYD, Xpeng, Li Auto and Nio plummeted on Monday, battered by a bearish delivery outlook in the cutthroat mainland EV market. “Lacklustre [sales] data in January represented a rude reminder that the industry will face a difficult year,” said Ivan Li, a researcher at Loyal Wealth Management in Shanghai. “Nearly... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342066/chinese-ev-makers-shares-skid-sales-slide-after-tax-incentive-ends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342066/chinese-ev-makers-shares-skid-sales-slide-after-tax-incentive-ends?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:00:09 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen Elon Musk wants to bring the production of its Optimus robot to the US amid electric carmaker Tesla’s plan to pivot towards manufacturing humanoids, smart machines that could one day serve as part of the workforce at American factories. That ambitious initiative, however, was expected to remain dependent on China’s vast and fast-developing robotics supply chain into the foreseeable future, even as the final assembly of Optimus would be established in the US, according to analysts and industry... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3341953/optimus-chain-chinese-suppliers-form-backbone-teslas-humanoid-robot-initiative?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3341953/optimus-chain-chinese-suppliers-form-backbone-teslas-humanoid-robot-initiative?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 06:00:16 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla’s falling car deliveries and declining profitability on the mainland have not stopped its Chinese electric-car rivals from imitating the US firm’s transition into an artificial intelligence entity. Xpeng, Li Auto and Nio, dubbed as Tesla challengers over the past decade, have taken similar steps to diversify into emerging technologies and position themselves for the future of transport. These Chinese firms are now building next-generation vehicles, flying cars, robots and chips to create... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341771/how-teslas-ai-shift-prompting-chinese-wannabes-expand-tech-offerings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341771/how-teslas-ai-shift-prompting-chinese-wannabes-expand-tech-offerings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 04:49:50 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Tesla confirmed that its annual revenues fell for the first time in the company’s history last year, as the firm announced plans to pivot towards humanoid robots and possibly build its own semiconductor factories during an earnings call on Wednesday. The US-based company reported total revenues of US$94.8 billion for 2025, down by 3 per cent compared with the previous year. But revenues and gross profits beat analysts’ estimates in the final quarter of last year, coming in at US$24.9 billion and... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3341613/tesla-reports-first-ever-annual-revenue-decline-chinas-ev-giants-zoom-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3341613/tesla-reports-first-ever-annual-revenue-decline-chinas-ev-giants-zoom-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 02:25:52 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Seven out of every 10 European companies operating in China were reviewing their supply chain strategies amid geopolitical tensions and Beijing’s opaque policymaking, which appears to set back the country’s globalisation efforts, according to a new survey. A survey of 324 corporate respondents conducted by the European Union Chamber of Commerce found that these firms aimed to strike a balance between cost efficiency and risk diversification, while building resilience in their supply... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341446/over-70-european-firms-china-review-supply-chain-strategies-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341446/over-70-european-firms-china-review-supply-chain-strategies-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:30:13 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng is aiming to double its overseas sales in 2026, as it battles domestic rivals such as BYD and Leapmotor for a bigger slice of the global market. The Guangzhou-based company expects to deliver more than 90,000 vehicles to customers outside mainland China this year – about 15 per cent of its targeted annual output – as it accelerates its international expansion amid intensifying competition at home, according to two people familiar with the matter. Part... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341301/xpeng-targets-overseas-sales-surge-2026-china-ev-battle-goes-global?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341301/xpeng-targets-overseas-sales-surge-2026-china-ev-battle-goes-global?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) king BYD aims for a 24 per cent increase in its overseas deliveries in 2026, buoyed by an expanded sales network and new model launches, as it pursues growth abroad to counteract a slowing domestic market. The Shenzhen-based company, the world’s largest builder of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, expected to sell 1.3 million cars this year outside mainland China, up 24.3 per cent from 2025, said Li Yunfei, general manager of branding and public relations,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341156/chinese-carmaker-byd-chases-24-export-growth-new-models-more-showrooms-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341156/chinese-carmaker-byd-chases-24-export-growth-new-models-more-showrooms-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:30:30 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren After five years of playing catch-up, China has produced a worthy “Tesla killer”, a massive achievement for the country’s premium electric vehicle (EV) makers that is set to stoke national pride. Sales of Xiaomi’s fully electric SU7 on the mainland stood at 258,164 last year, nearly 30 per cent higher than the Model 3’s deliveries of 200,361 units, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Since its debut in China at the end of 2019, the Model 3, assembled at the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341061/xiaomis-su7-becomes-chinas-first-tesla-killer-outselling-model-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341061/xiaomis-su7-becomes-chinas-first-tesla-killer-outselling-model-3?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 03:00:17 +0000