China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with four government bodies, has unveiled a comprehensive nationwide campaign aimed at increasing the uptake of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in rural areas. Running from May to December 2024, the initiative seeks to bridge the existing NEV consumption gap in these regions, promoting green and safe travel while contributing to the construction of beautiful villages and rural revitalization.
The campaign features an impressive catalog of 99 NEV models from leading auto manufacturers, including state-owned giants like China First Automobile Group, innovative companies such as Xpeng, and prominent players like BYD. This diverse lineup encompasses a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and multipurpose vehicles, catering to various sectors and consumer needs.
Over the eight-month period, a series of activities will be organized, including exhibitions, test drives, and other consumer experiences. These events aim to enrich market offerings and provide rural consumers with a variety of choices, fostering greater acceptance and adoption of NEVs.
A key component of the initiative is the enhancement of support services in rural areas. This includes the expansion of charging infrastructure, battery swap facilities, insurance services, claims processing, credit options, and after-sales maintenance. By addressing current infrastructure shortcomings, the program ensures that rural residents have the necessary support to make the transition to NEVs seamless and reliable.
The campaign also introduces policies to encourage NEV adoption, such as vehicle trade-in incentives and improvements to county-level infrastructure. The focus will be on county-level cities that currently have low NEV uptake rates but exhibit high growth potential, ensuring that the initiative targets areas where it can have the most significant impact.
Participation from NEV manufacturers, sales companies, financial institutions, charging and swapping infrastructure providers, and after-sales services enterprises is highly encouraged. These entities are urged to develop promotional plans aligned with the initiative's goals and to establish comprehensive after-sales service systems to support rural consumers effectively.
The campaign will leverage both on-site and online activities, utilizing the power of e-commerce and internet platforms to complement physical events with virtual ones. This includes online exhibitions and live interactions, ensuring that the initiative reaches a broad audience across various channels.
April saw a significant surge in China's production and domestic sales of NEVs. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) indicated that NEV production reached 870,000 units and sales hit 850,000 units last month, marking increases of 35.9 percent and 33.5 percent year-on-year, respectively. In 2023, China's production and sales of vehicles each surpassed 30 million units, with NEV production and sales exceeding 9.58 million and 9.49 million units, respectively. This performance has positioned China as the global leader in NEV production and sales for the ninth consecutive year.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
