Electric Cars in China

Overview of the most important electric cars that are currently (2020) for sale in China.

Photo	Car	Price [￥]	[km]
	BAIC EU-Series	215000	400
	Buick Velite 6	179800	250
	BYD e2 35 kWh	122000	305
	BYD e2 47 kWh	165000	405
	BYD e3 35 kWh	122000	305
	BYD e3 47 kWh	165000	405
	BYD e5 450	220000	300
	BYD Han FWD 65kWh	229800	250
	BYD Han FWD 77kWh	255800	300
	BYD Han AWD 77kWh	279500	290
	BYD Qin Pro EV	170000	520
	BYD Yuan EV	110000	300
	Chana Eulove EV	158000	315
	Changan Eado EV	325000	160
	Changan New Benni EV	120000	250
	Chery Arrizo 5e	192000	400
	Chery eQ1	130000	200
	Dongfeng Skio ER30	150000	255
	FAW Besturn B30 EV	174000	250
	GAC Aion S	147000	300
	Geely Emgrand EV	218000	400
	Geely Emgrand GSe EV	210000	353
	Great Wall Ora iQ5 EV	189000	400
	Great Wall Ora R1 EV	115000	310
	Hozon Nezha N01	100000	230
	JAC iEV7S	207000	280
	JMC E200	94000	152
	Nio ES6	358000	510
	Nio ES8	448000	355
	SAIC Baojun E100	94000	250
	SAIC MG ZS EV	150000	200
	SAIC Roewe Ei5 EV	214000	420
	Tesla Model 3 SR+ Save with referral code	271550	409
	Tesla Model 3 LR	344050	560
	Tesla Model 3 P	419800	530
	Tesla Model S LR	764900	610
	Tesla Model S P	864900	593
	Tesla Model X LR	780900	507
	Tesla Model X P	880900	487
	Tesla Model Y LR	488000	400
	Tesla Model Y P	535000	375
	Weltmeister EX5	290000	460
	Xpeng G3	228000	365
	Xpeng P7 RWD LR	255000	568
	Xpeng P7 RWD Super-LR	270000	706
	Xpeng P7 4WD P	365000	552

Electric car sales in China

China is undoubtedly the most important electric mobility market in the world. Not only are the Chinese streets flooded with e-bikes and light electric vehicles, since 2009 the Communist Party is also pushing local and foreign manufacturers to develop, produce and sell increasing numbers of electric cars. One of the major incentives are “New Energy Vehicle” subsidies that automotive companies receive per sold electric car.

The results of China’s e-mobility policy are showing. In 2018, the People’s Republic registered about 1 million new electric cars. That’s more than in the American or European market, which registered about 500.000 new electric cars together.

Besides public policy, China’s lead in electric car sales can also be explained by the sheer size of its automotive market. China registers almost 30 million new cars per year, while the US and Europe have an automotive market that’s about half that size.

Manufacturers

Many foreign car manufacturers want to enter the lucrative Chinese market, but the Communist Party doesn’t make it easy. Almost all foreign companies are forced into partnerships with local, often state-owned, enterprises. Moreover, production needs to happen in-country which is enforced with high import duties. This policy assures a much needed knowledge transfer and improves local employment numbers.

Until now, Tesla is almost the only foreign car manufacturer that managed to escape a local partnership. They are however building a major factory in Shanghai which will produce Model 3’s and other Tesla models locally.

Future

Lately, the growth rate of the Chinese economy is decreasing, which already affected new car sales in a negative way.

Furthermore, China announced that it will decrease electric car subsidies in June 2019 and that the EV market will have to mature with less financial support from the government.

We can expect that the current economic downturn will be temporary, and that the Chinese electric car market (and the car market as a whole) will continue to flourish in the medium to long term.