At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on August 26, Xin Guobin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, acknowledged that while new energy vehicles have become a hallmark of China's manufacturing prowess, the sector is currently confronting a series of significant challenges that require urgent attention.
Xin highlighted that irrational competitive practices remain a prominent concern. He pointed out that certain "aggressive" innovative designs have been incorporated into vehicles without undergoing sufficient experimental validation, and there have been incidents related to product quality and autonomous driving safety that have drawn public scrutiny. These issues, he stressed, are unavoidable and must be prioritized for resolution during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period.
To address these challenges, the Ministry has formulated the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry." This plan employs a multi-pronged approach involving planning guidance, inter-departmental coordination, and policy support to foster sustained, high-quality industry growth.
According to Xin, the Ministry will refine the industry's governance framework by advancing group-based management reforms for automotive enterprise production qualifications and optimizing the industrial layout. Additionally, stricter access reviews for product innovation designs and enhanced testing and validation management will be implemented, with a firm prohibition on introducing products into the market that have not undergone thorough verification. Efforts will also be intensified to supervise production consistency, safeguard consumer rights, and further standardize the competitive order within the industry.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China's new energy vehicle industry experienced remarkable growth, with annual sales surging from 1.367 million to 16.49 million units. The share of new energy vehicles in total new car sales correspondingly climbed from 5.4% to 47.9%. Technological advancements in vehicle integration, power batteries, and LiDAR have positioned China among the global leaders, with the country accounting for over 70% of worldwide production of new energy vehicles, power batteries, and key materials.
The international influence of the industry has also expanded, with products now exported to more than 100 countries and regions, and a cohort of highly competitive leading enterprises has emerged. Looking ahead to the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Xin emphasized the need to further elevate product supply quality. This will involve supporting key companies in intensifying technological research and development to enhance the low-temperature adaptability and durability of power batteries, as well as to improve the safety and reliability of autonomous driving systems.
Furthermore, the Ministry will prudently and steadily advance pilot programs for the market access and on-road operation of intelligent connected vehicles, including the "vehicle-road-cloud integration" trials, to deliver greener and more intelligent new energy vehicle products to consumers. Upholding product quality standards remains a fundamental responsibility towards consumers.
In addition to these measures, the Ministry aims to optimize the supporting usage environment by launching initiatives such as vehicle trade-in programs, new energy vehicle promotions in rural areas, and pilot projects to address gaps in county-level charging and swapping infrastructure. The goal is to achieve comprehensive coverage of charging stations at the county level and charging piles at the township level, acknowledging that rural areas currently have deficiencies in this regard.
The Ministry will also establish and refine management systems for vehicle modifications, enhance insurance policies for new energy vehicles, and reduce maintenance costs. These steps are designed to alleviate consumer concerns, thereby boosting their willingness to purchase and confidence in using new energy vehicles.