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Electric & new energy vehicles

Electric & new energy vehicles
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on electric & new energy vehicles, with a particular focus on China.
Authorities announced on Friday China will cancel export VAT rebates for solar panels and lower rebates for batteries from 9 per cent to 6 per cent from April 1. The rebates for batteries will be cancelled on January 1, 2027. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
China exports

Goodwill or necessity? Why is China slashing solar and battery subsidies?

Analysts expect policy will signal to Europe that Beijing is interested in serious trade relations and is a good partner.

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Future of transport

China’s Xpeng unveils hybrid SUV boasting world’s longest driving distance

China manufacturing

Shanghai steps up oversight of delayed payment practices hurting suppliers

US-China trade war

BYD’s win, Tesla’s defeat, Ford’s pivot: the widening gap in US-China EV markets

From wavering policy to cost gaps, analysts say decades of state backing have given China a decisive edge over US rivals.

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Cars come off the assembly line at BYD’s plant in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan province. Photo: Xinhua
Tesla

Xiaomi’s refreshed SU7 turns up the heat on Tesla in China’s EV race

Updated SU7 model offers longer range – more than 900km (560 miles) on a single charge – and other advanced features.

SCMP Highlights

Tesla hits record sales; China carmakers eye third of global market: 7 EV reads

From automakers doubling down on discounts to Chinese robotaxis in the Middle East, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

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China economy

Editorial | Amid rivalry with US, silver can be seen as China’s new industrial leverage

Beijing’s export controls are simply about following the logic of the market and geopolitics in the interest of the nation.

Silver bars are displayed at an office in Hong Kong, on August 20, 2020. Photo: May Tse
China technology

China’s CATL, Nio deepen partnership to develop extended-life EV batteries

Joint effort highlights urgency as industry – including 40 million EV owners – braces for costly replacements.

China economy

Opinion | Innovation and exports will winnow China’s car industry in 2026

Exports will be key to profitability and chips will be the new battleground but consolidation is likely to be confined to the battery sector.

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Autonomous vehicles

Nvidia chooses China’s Hesai for lidar in Hyperion autonomous driving platform

Hesai will supply lidar sensors for Nvidia’s Drive Hyperion, targeting L4 self-driving, as the firm accelerates global expansion.

Hesai, whose clients include premium electric vehicle maker Li Auto and Geely, said it would double its lidar production capacity to 4 million units in 2026. Photo: Getty
Tesla

Tesla’s China sales hit record as EV buyers race to beat tax increase

US carmaker’s share of world’s biggest EV market declines to slightly more then 4 per cent amid stern challenge from local rivals.

Tesla cars are displayed in a showroom in Beijing on April 4, 2025. Photo: Simon Song
Automotive industry

Weak year-end sales cloud China’s EV outlook, keeping price-war fears alive

A weaker-than-expected year-end rush and falling deliveries at major brands are stoking fears of another price war.

Climate change

Opinion | How China quietly became the world’s climate policy leader

For better or worse, the future of climate action will be shaped as much by Beijing’s relentless pragmatism as by Western ideals.

United States

China’s BYD dethrones Tesla as world’s top electric vehicle maker

A customer revolt against Musk’s right-wing politics contributed to a 9 per cent sales drop, allowing BYD to overtake Tesla as the top EV maker.

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Chinese car brand BYD is showcased during the Auto World Show in Kuwait in September 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

China’s EV sector doubles down on discounts and cheap financing as growth cools

Carmakers are shifting from straight price cuts to subsidised loans and feature-packed models, as China’s EV price war drags on.

Beijing has urged the sector to rein in price wars since July amid deflationary pressures, with even market leader BYD reporting its biggest net profit drop in more than four years. Photo: Xinhua
BYD

China’s EV makers to corner one-third of global market by 2030, UBS says

Analysts see China’s EV edge enduring, citing overseas profits and supply chain strengths despite tariffs and Western protectionism.

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Autonomous vehicles

How Chinese robotaxi giants are steering Middle East towards a driverless future

WeRide, Baidu and Pony.ai expand operations in the Middle East as UAE promotes clean energy and reduces dependence on oil and gas.

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Automotive industry

Beijing renews trade-in subsidy scheme amid domestic car market’s gloomy outlook

Buyers who replace their petrol and electric cars with new vehicles will receive a cash subsidy of up to US$2,858 per unit.

A BYD electric car at an exhibition in Shanghai. Buyers of an electric vehicle for replacement purposes would get a subsidy equivalent to 12 per cent of the newly bought car’s price. Photo: AFP
Technology

Opinion | Amid the bad news of 2025, science cooperation has been a beacon of hope

Even in a difficult year for many, science has demonstrated the ability to transcend borders, unite people and help those in need.

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Robotics

Chinese robot vacuum maker Dreame gives staff gifts of gold, trip to Antarctica

Dreame’s surprise largesse reflects its robust business growth in 2025, as it remains one of the world’s top robot vacuum cleaner brands.

Automotive industry

China’s oldest carmaker FAW buys US$534 million stake in EV assembler Leapmotor

‘Leapmotor aims to achieve annual deliveries of 4 million units a year in 10 years’ time,’ founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming says.

A Leapmotor electric vehicle is seen on display at the Essen Motor Show in Germany on December 3, 2025. Photo: AFP
Automotive industry

Dozens of Chinese EV makers under pressure to fold or trim operations: analysts

Grappling with expiring cash subsidies and tax incentives, China’s car market is forecast to see deliveries slump next year.

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About 50 unprofitable Chinese electric vehicle makers face pressure to scale down their business or wind down operations. Photo: Shutterstock
Chile

Chilean firms partner to form giant company to exploit lithium

Last month China approved the planned partnership between state-owned Codelco and private firm SQM, which features Chinese capital.

Semiconductors

Chinese EV battery giant CATL and Guoxin Micro set up new automotive chip firm

The two companies expect to launch Tongxin Micro Technology as a developer of automotive domain controller chips.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Mercedes-Benz buys US$191 million stake in Chinese autonomous driving developer

The German carmaker obtains a 3 per cent stake in Chongqing Qianli Technology.

The three-pointed star logo of German carmaker Mercedes-Benz. Photo: Getty Images
Automotive industry

CATL poised to bring Yichun lithium output back online after licence lapse

With battery costs again under the spotlight, regulators are set to green light CATL’s restart of the Yichun mine in eastern China.

A restart of the Yichun lithium mine could strengthen CATL’s output capacity at a time when carmakers are pushing suppliers to cut costs. Photo: AFP
Automotive industry

Chinese SUV maker Jetour pushes localised offerings to hasten go-global drive

Jetour is already present in more than 100 countries and regions after seven years in operation.

SCMP Highlights

BYD’s big plans in Brazil, Xpeng tries to go global: 7 EV reads

From EV battery giants in China venturing into shipbuilding to BYD’s ambitious plans in Brazil, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

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