China Electric Car Market Overview
The Chinese government subsidised the purchase of electric vehicles in 2009, however, this subsidy was mostly restricted to public vehicles. In 2013, the subsidy programs were extended to the electric cars considerably benefiting its sales. The 2013-2016 period can be considered as the booming period for the China electric car market when the sales saw a significant growth. Over the next few years, the government has plans to gradually remove the subsidy making electric vehicles as a self-sustained market. Sub-standard products and lack of charging stations are the main challenges of the China electric car market.
Drivers
The Chinese electric car industry is benefited by strong drivers such as government support and rising income levels. Rising per capita income is encouraging people to own private vehicles driving the electric car market in the country. Increasing aspirations among the people to own cars can be met in a sustainable way by electric cars. Moreover, the government has plans to support electric cars to reduce its dependence on the imported fossil fuel.
One of the major advantage that China has over other countries is a developed electric battery manufacturing. There are close to 150 electric vehicle battery manufacturers in China. As battery is the key component of an electric car, a sufficient and developed battery manufacturing capacity in the country would reduce the dependence on imports and sustain the prices of electric cars.
Challenges
Despite the above drivers, the electric cars account for a negligible share in total car sales in the country. Lack of infrastructure in the form of charging stations is the biggest challenge affecting the sales of electric cars in China. The growth of electric cars would be dependent on penetration of charging stations.
The subsidy being offered for the electric vehicles in China could be close to $7,000 depending upon the battery size. The subsidy is received by the company based on the electric car sales. Many companies put sub-standard parts in the car to receive the subsidy. Moreover, companies also inflated their car sales figures to receive the subsidy. Such incidences have put a bad name for the Chinese electric vehicles and affected the consumer perception for electric cars. Now, the government has plans to stop the subsidy in the coming years and support the industry by other measures such as introducing product specifications, standards for Chinese Cooperate Average Fuel Consumption and New Energy Vehicle Credits, new safety rules and so on.
China Electric Car Market - Competitive Landscape
The China electric car market is highly protected with considerable trade restrictions for the foreign players. Hence, domestic players account for majority of electric car sales in the country, with most foreign players restricted to selling premium hybrid cars. Many of the domestic players are based in south China. The key players in the market include Beijing Auto BAIC Motor Corporation, Dongfen, Changan, SAIC Motor Corporation and FAW Group Corporation
Market Segmentation
By Battery Voltage
- Low Voltage
- Medium Voltage
- High Voltage
By Car Type
- Battery Electric Cars
- Hybrid Cars
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars
By Battery Technology
- Sealed Lead Acid
- Li-ion
- Ni-MH
