China's New Energy Vehicle Industry: Leading the Global Path of Electrification and Intelligence

China's New Energy Vehicle Industry: Leading the Global Path of Electrification and IntelligenceThe China EV100 Forum (2025), held in Beijing from March 28th to 30th, featured a keynote speech by Chen Qingtai, Chairman of the China EV100, which provided an in-depth analysis of China's leading position and future development direction in the electrification and intelligence of its new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. Chen emphasized that China's electrification progress in the NEV sector is at the forefront globally, a success attributed not to chance but to strategic planning and precise execution

China's New Energy Vehicle Industry: Leading the Global Path of Electrification and Intelligence

The China EV100 Forum (2025), held in Beijing from March 28th to 30th, featured a keynote speech by Chen Qingtai, Chairman of the China EV100, which provided an in-depth analysis of China's leading position and future development direction in the electrification and intelligence of its new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. Chen emphasized that China's electrification progress in the NEV sector is at the forefront globally, a success attributed not to chance but to strategic planning and precise execution.

Electrification: A Leading Strategic Achievement

Chen highlighted that China elevated NEVs to a national strategic level as early as 2009 and, in 2011, while many countries remained hesitant, proactively launched the industrialization process. This first-mover advantage laid a solid foundation for the industry's rapid growth. Years of practice have validated the chosen technological route and policy timing.

Today, China's NEV industry boasts remarkable achievements. In 2024, even after the complete withdrawal of government subsidies, annual production and sales still exceeded 10 million units, signifying the industry's entry into a market-driven, stable development phase. This achievement reflects significant progress in China's technology and manufacturing sectors and has garnered widespread international recognition.

However, Chen cautioned against complacency, urging the consolidation and strengthening of existing achievements. He offered several key suggestions:

Firstly, unwavering adherence to the national strategy for NEV development, with continuous strengthening of top-level planning and guidance to stabilize production and consumer expectations. This requires consistent government efforts in policymaking and resource allocation to provide long-term, stable support.

Secondly, further leveraging technological innovation, particularly accelerating the R&D and industrialization of all-solid-state batteries. As next-generation battery technology, all-solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and safety, crucial for upgrading NEV technology.

Thirdly, improving the service system encompassing charging infrastructure, financial insurance, maintenance and repair, used car trading, and battery recycling. A comprehensive service system effectively reduces consumer purchase and operating costs, enhances user experience, and further propels market growth.

Fourthly, accelerating the integration of NEVs with clean energy to fully leverage their carbon reduction potential. Combining NEVs with clean energy effectively reduces carbon emissions, promotes energy structure transformation, and achieves sustainable development goals.

Fifthly, simultaneously promoting "going global" and "bringing in" support systems. This involves actively exploring international markets to expand the global reach of Chinese NEVs while also importing advanced technologies and management expertise to foster industry upgrading and innovation.

Intelligence: Exceeding Expectations, Promising Future

Beyond electrification, the intelligent development of China's NEVs has surpassed expectations. Chen noted that by the first half of 2024, the penetration rate of L2 and above assisted driving passenger vehicles in China exceeded 55%, with the expectation that basic intelligent functions will become ubiquitous in newly sold passenger vehicles in the coming years. This demonstrates China's rapid catching up and surpassing of international advanced levels in the field of intelligence.

The rapid development of automotive intelligence benefits from the integration of cross-sector technologies such as new-generation communication technology, consumer electronics, the internet, and artificial intelligence. In particular, cutting-edge AI technologies, especially large language models, are rapidly penetrating the NEV field, reshaping automotive products, businesses, and the industry's overall structure. AI-driven capabilities will become a core competitive advantage for future automakers.

However, facing such a complex group of high-tech fields, auto manufacturers will face significant challenges if they go it alone. Therefore, cross-sectional integration and collaborative innovation are crucial pathways for intelligent development. Global automakers, parts suppliers, and technology companies are increasing R&D investment and deploying intelligent driving and intelligent cockpit systems. The focus of technological innovation and development in the automotive industry is shifting towards intelligence.

To further advance intelligent development, Chen suggested:

First, strengthening top-level design, particularly the formulation and revision of regulations and standards related to higher-level intelligent driving. This requires government agencies to establish relevant laws, regulations, and standards to regulate the development and application of intelligent driving technology and ensure road traffic safety.

Second, leveraging China's strong technological foundation and industrial capabilities in network connectivity and intelligence. This involves breaking down barriers between different industries and entities, building a new cross-sectoral integrated ecosystem, and achieving resource sharing and collaborative development.

Third, promoting the R&D of key technologies such as chips and operating systems, and the formation of corresponding industrial chains, enhancing the construction of new infrastructure such as data, computing power, and roadside facilities. This requires increased R&D investment, overcoming technological bottlenecks, forming an independently controllable industrial chain, and building complete infrastructure to support intelligent development.

In conclusion, China's NEV industry has made remarkable achievements in electrification and intelligence, entering a new development phase. To meet future challenges and seize opportunities, continuous strategic planning, technological innovation, industrial collaboration, and policy support will be crucial for ensuring the sustained leadership of China's NEV industry. The future of China's NEV industry is promising.