While the rest of the world is still shifting gears, China's electric vehicle industry has already floored the accelerator, producing a staggering 62% of the globe's new energy vehicles in 2023 alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, China produced 9.5 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), accounting for 62% of global production
- China's EV production capacity reached 20 million units annually by end of 2023, with over 80% utilization rate
- BYD alone produced 3.02 million NEVs in 2023, surpassing Tesla's global output
- China's NEV sales reached 9.5 million units in 2023, up 37.9% YoY, penetration 31.6%
- BYD sold 3.05 million NEVs in 2023, including 1.6 million BEVs and 1.45 million PHEVs
- Tesla China sold 603,664 vehicles in 2023, all BEVs
- China battery demand for EVs was 850 GWh in 2023, up 65%
- CATL holds 37% global EV battery market share in 2023, with 37% in China
- China's LFP battery installations reached 680 GWh in 2023, 80% of total
- China's EV exports reached 1.2 million units in 2023, up 77% YoY, value $34 billion
- BYD exported 242,000 NEVs in 2023, to 70+ countries
- China EV exports to Europe surged 1600% to 240,000 units in 2023
- China's NEV policy subsidies totaled RMB 200 billion from 2009-2022
- RMB 520 billion trade-in subsidies allocated for 2024 NEVs
- Dual-credit policy enforced, requiring 22% NEV credits for OEMs in 2023
China dominates global electric vehicle production and sales through immense scale and rapid growth.
Battery and Supply Chain
- China battery demand for EVs was 850 GWh in 2023, up 65%
- CATL holds 37% global EV battery market share in 2023, with 37% in China
- China's LFP battery installations reached 680 GWh in 2023, 80% of total
- Average EV battery capacity in China increased to 60 kWh in 2023 from 45 kWh in 2020
- China produced 95% of global LFP cathodes in 2023
- Lithium carbonate prices in China dropped 85% in 2023 to RMB 90,000/ton
- China's graphite anode material production capacity hit 1.5 million tons in 2023
- Solid-state battery R&D investment in China exceeded RMB 10 billion in 2023
- CATL's condensed battery energy density reached 500 Wh/kg in 2023 prototypes
- BYD Blade Battery production scaled to 200 GWh capacity by 2023 end
- China's sodium-ion battery production started with 10 GWh pilot lines in 2023
- Electrolyte production in China was 1.2 million tons in 2023, up 50%
- Separator film output in China reached 4 billion sqm in 2023, 70% global
- China's battery recycling capacity expanded to 200,000 tons in 2023
- Average cost of EV batteries in China fell to RMB 0.45/Wh in 2023
- Nickel content in China EV batteries dropped to 10% average in 2023 due to LFP shift
- Copper foil production for batteries in China was 800,000 tons in 2023
- China's battery cell production lines numbered 2,500+ by 2023
- EVE Energy produced 45 GWh batteries in 2023, up 60%
- REPT BATTERO installed 20 GWh in 2023
- China's lithium mine output was 240,000 tons LCE in 2023, 70% global
- Cobalt imports to China fell 20% in 2023 to 100,000 tons due to LFP
Battery and Supply Chain Interpretation
China's EV battery industry is powering ahead with staggering growth and self-sufficiency, as it cleverly engineers cheaper, less resource-dependent batteries while investing heavily in the next generation of technology, solidifying its position as the undisputed engine room of the global electric transition.
Exports and International
- China's EV exports reached 1.2 million units in 2023, up 77% YoY, value $34 billion
- BYD exported 242,000 NEVs in 2023, to 70+ countries
- China EV exports to Europe surged 1600% to 240,000 units in 2023
- Russia imported 120,000 Chinese EVs in 2023, 90% of its EV market
- Brazil received 50,000 Chinese NEVs in 2023, up 500%
- China's NEV exports in Dec 2023 hit 158,000 units
- Thai market saw 70% Chinese EV brands share in 2023, imports 60,000 units
- Chile imported 20,000 Chinese EVs in 2023, mostly BYD
- South Africa EV market 95% Chinese imports, 15,000 units 2023
- China's overseas EV factories: BYD in Thailand, Hungary, Brazil producing 500k capacity by 2025
- Cumulative Chinese EV exports exceeded 4 million by end 2024
- EU imposed 38% tariffs on Chinese EVs in 2024, affecting 30% of exports
- US imported $3 billion Chinese EVs/parts in 2023 despite bans
- Middle East Chinese EV sales 50,000 units in 2023, UAE 20k
- Southeast Asia Chinese EV exports 300,000 units in 2023
- Latin America Chinese NEV imports 150,000 in 2023, Brazil 40%
- Africa Chinese EV sales doubled to 40,000 in 2023
- Turkey imported 30,000 Chinese EVs in 2023
- Australia's Chinese EV imports 80,000 in 2023, 90% market share
- Chinese EV makers established 10 overseas RDCs in 2023
- Overseas sales revenue for Chinese NEVs $41 billion in 2023
- Share of PHEVs in Chinese EV exports rose to 25% in 2023
- Chinese EVs hold 60% market share in emerging markets 2023
- Cumulative Chinese NEV exports 800k to Russia since 2022
- Vietnam imported 25,000 Chinese EVs in 2023
Exports and International Interpretation
China's electric vehicle industry has executed a global soft-power coup with a lithium-ion battery, quietly parking its economic influence in the driveways of every continent, tariffs be damned.
Government Policies and Investments
- China's NEV policy subsidies totaled RMB 200 billion from 2009-2022
- RMB 520 billion trade-in subsidies allocated for 2024 NEVs
- Dual-credit policy enforced, requiring 22% NEV credits for OEMs in 2023
- 14th Five-Year Plan targets 20% NEV penetration by 2025, achieved early
- RMB 100 billion venture capital invested in EV startups 2023
- Local gov't EV subsidies in Shanghai RMB 10,000/car until 2023 end
- Beijing free plates for NEVs, 100,000 issued monthly 2023
- NEV tax exemption extended to end-2025, saving RMB 50 billion
- State Grid built 3.6 million chargers by 2023, 85% public EV access
- RMB 2 trillion green bonds issued for EV infra 2021-2023
- Made in China 2025 prioritizes EV battery tech leadership
- NEV three-year action plan 2021-2023 achieved 38% penetration goal
- Foreign investment in China EV: Tesla $7 billion by 2023
- CATL received RMB 5 billion gov't grants 2023 for R&D
- Highway toll discounts 20-80% for NEVs nationwide 2023
- 2024 policy mandates 40% NEV sales for public fleets
- RMB 300 billion battery swap network fund launched 2023
- Export credit insurance covers 90% Chinese EV shipments 2023
- NEV R&D tax deduction up to 200% for enterprises 2023
- Guangdong province RMB 50 billion EV fund 2023
Government Policies and Investments Interpretation
China's electric vehicle revolution is clearly not leaving the station, but being launched from the pad with a half-trillion yuan booster rocket, a web of regulatory cables, and a state-funded countdown clock that has already ticked past its ambitious targets.
Production Statistics
- In 2023, China produced 9.5 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), accounting for 62% of global production
- China's EV production capacity reached 20 million units annually by end of 2023, with over 80% utilization rate
- BYD alone produced 3.02 million NEVs in 2023, surpassing Tesla's global output
- Total EV battery production in China hit 1,200 GWh in 2023, representing 77% of world total
- Shanghai Gigafactory of Tesla produced over 950,000 vehicles in 2023, mostly for export
- China's NEV production grew 35% YoY to 9.44 million units in 2023
- CATL produced 238 GWh of batteries in 2023, up 45% from 2022
- In Q1 2024, China NEV production reached 2.95 million units, YoY +37.8%
- China's passenger NEV production was 7.95 million in 2023, up 41%
- Commercial NEV production in China hit 1.49 million units in 2023
- China's EV production factories numbered over 200 by 2023, with 50+ gigafactories
- Annual production of LFP batteries in China exceeded 800 GWh in 2023
- NIO produced 160,038 EVs in 2023, up 41.7% YoY
- XPeng produced 141,601 smart EVs in 2023, growth of 17%
- Li Auto delivered 376,030 NEVs in 2023, up 308.7% YoY
- China's NEV production in Dec 2023 was 1.14 million units
- Total investment in EV production facilities in China reached RMB 500 billion in 2023
- China's share of global EV production rose from 45% in 2020 to 62% in 2023
- Annual output of electric buses in China was 140,000 units in 2023
- China's EV truck production exceeded 100,000 units in 2023
- Geely produced 1.9 million NEVs in 2023 via its brands
- SAIC Motor's NEV production was 1.2 million units in 2023
- Chery NEV production reached 1.1 million in 2023
- GAC Aion produced 430,000 EVs in 2023
- Leapmotor produced 293,724 NEVs in 2023
- China's NEV production per capita factory worker efficiency improved 25% in 2023 to 150 units/worker
- In 2023, China commissioned 15 new EV gigafactories adding 5 million unit capacity
- Annual production of PHEVs in China surged to 3.3 million units in 2023
- BEV production in China was 6.15 million units in 2023
Production Statistics Interpretation
While its competitors are still trying to find the charging cable, China has firmly plugged itself in as the global EV powerhouse, churning out a majority of the world's cars and batteries with a speed that suggests the factory floor might just be one giant, well-oiled slip 'n slide.
Sales and Market Data
- China's NEV sales reached 9.5 million units in 2023, up 37.9% YoY, penetration 31.6%
- BYD sold 3.05 million NEVs in 2023, including 1.6 million BEVs and 1.45 million PHEVs
- Tesla China sold 603,664 vehicles in 2023, all BEVs
- Wuling Mini EV sold over 668,000 units in 2023
- In Dec 2023, China NEV retail sales hit 1.55 million, penetration 43%
- PHEV sales in China exploded to 3.89 million in first 11 months 2024, up 82%
- China's EV market penetration reached 38% in 2024 H1
- Top 10 NEV brands accounted for 78% of China sales in 2023
- Monthly NEV sales in China averaged 790,000 units in 2023
- Export-adjusted NEV sales in China were 8.1 million in 2023
- Li Auto sold 50,953 vehicles in Dec 2023, record monthly
- XPeng deliveries reached 23,160 in Dec 2023, up 58% YoY
- NIO delivered 22,658 vehicles in Dec 2023
- China's passenger car NEV penetration was 45.8% in Nov 2024
- BEV sales share dropped to 55% of NEVs in 2023 due to PHEV surge
- Urban NEV penetration in Tier 1 cities exceeded 50% in 2023
- Rural NEV sales grew 60% YoY in 2023 to 1.2 million units
- Fleet NEV sales in China were 1.5 million in 2023, up 40%
- Average transaction price of NEVs in China fell 15% to RMB 140,000 in 2023
- Used EV sales in China reached 500,000 units in 2023
- NEV leasing market in China grew to RMB 100 billion in 2023
- China's NEV exports hit 1.2 million units in 2023, up 77%
- Domestic NEV wholesale sales were 8.3 million in 2023
- China's LSV (low-speed vehicle) NEV sales were 300,000 in 2023
- NEV sales in Guangdong province led with 1.2 million units in 2023
Sales and Market Data Interpretation
China's electric vehicle market is now a high-voltage jungle where BYD is the undisputed king, Tesla is the premium predator, and even grandma's grocery run is going electric at a pace that makes the internal combustion engine look like a nostalgic relic.
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