The country has long been the world’s biggest market – but the government’s interest is more geopolitical than environmental
There were 6.8m electric vehicle sales in in China in 2022, a huge rise from 1.3m in 2021. Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images
“The country has … an annual sales of electric vehicles target. But for consumers, honestly, they don’t think too much about protecting the environment. The bigger reason is because everyone is buying and it’s becoming a trend.” On the outskirts of Chongqing is a gleaming, expansive complex home to the global R&D centre of Changan, a carmaker. It is a shining example of the Chinese automotive industry’s pivot. The state-owned Changan was founded in 1862, and is now linked with Mazda and Ford in joint ventures.
In Shanghai, a 32-year-old finance worker named Rui Rui said he had saved about 100,000 RMB just on licence-plate fees alone by buying an EV.The true level of environmental benefit from EVs is still somewhat debated. Studies have found the impact of manufacturing them is worse than conventional cars, but that over time the emissions savings offset that initial hit.
“The 45% target is achievable as long as Xi Jinping decides it’s worth continuing to support the EV industry,” said Dr Tinglon Dai, a professor of business at Johns Hopkins University.
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