In a surge of record-breaking exports, China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is rapidly expanding its global footprint, with Southeast Asia emerging as a key market. Recent data from Ember highlights a significant rise in the demand for Chinese EVs across the region.
According to Ember, China exported an impressive $9.2 billion worth of electric vehicles in May, marking a 49% increase from the previous year. This surpasses the previous record of $9.1 billion set in April.
In terms of volume, about 448,000 electric passenger vehicles were exported from China in May, comprising approximately 279,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 169,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This is a stark contrast to 2020 when monthly EV exports were below $1 billion.
This growth underscores China’s dominance in the EV sector, with Chinese manufacturers scaling production to meet increasing international demand.
Within Southeast Asia, Chinese EV exports to ASEAN countries reached a milestone of $1.2 billion in May. This surge is driven by regional governments’ initiatives to electrify transportation, with Thailand leading by importing over 36,000 vehicles, followed closely by the Philippines with shipments exceeding 33,000 vehicles.
Cambodia and Laos have also shown a rise in imports, supported by government incentives, enhanced charging infrastructure, and local assembly promotion. Recent policy changes in Cambodia have eliminated customs duties on BEVs and reduced tariffs on PHEVs from 35% to 7%. Meanwhile, BEVs continue to dominate imports in Cambodia, though PHEVs are gaining traction.
Moreover, Laos has implemented measures such as reducing EV registration and service fees and mandating that transportation fleets include at least 10% EVs by the end of 2026. Additionally, the country has temporarily halted imports of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles until the end of the year to decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
Rising fuel prices, exacerbated by the Middle East conflict, are accelerating the transition to electric transportation. Lam Pham, Ember’s energy analyst for Asia, stated, “The current energy crisis has reinforced the value of electrification as a pathway to greater energy security, reduced fuel import exposure, and long-term transport cost savings.”
Highlighting a broader trend, Euan Graham, Ember’s senior electricity and data analyst, noted, “Southeast Asia is fast becoming one of the most dynamic destinations for electric vehicles, and China is supplying that demand at scale and speed.”
Read more: Global EV sales hit 1.8 million in May as Europe races ahead
Original Story at electrek.co