EV100 Forum: China’s vision for new energy vehicle industry

On March 16th, at the China Electric Vehicle People Forum (EV100 2024), Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology Shan Zhongde presented on the industry. His opening statement outlined how China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in the field of new energy vehicles (NEVs). However, most of his address focused on the fact that development still faces difficulties and challenges.

In the presentation, Mr. Shan reiterated that domestic efforts are needed to strengthen the development of automotive chips and basic software and continuously improve the adaptability, safety, and charging convenience of NEVs. Mr. Shan pointed out that the opportunities for the development of the new energy vehicle industry outweigh the challenges, and the favorable conditions outweigh the unfavorable factors, filling the industry’s future with confidence.

Shan Zhongde introduced that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will strengthen interdepartmental coordination, improve policy measures, and enhance innovation development, system competitiveness, and open cooperation capabilities. It will accelerate the development of intelligent and connected new energy vehicles as new productive forces from four aspects to empower the development of the new energy vehicle industry.

First, they will adhere to “innovation-driven development.” They will strengthen the leading technological role of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, enhance talent gathering, and support leading companies in the supply chain in establishing an innovative system that coordinates technological research, platform support, and demonstration applications. Efforts will be made to address weaknesses, extend advantages, forge new strengths, accelerate the technological research and industrialization of next-generation power batteries, automotive chips, operating systems, and autonomous driving, and enhance the industry’s and supply chains’ resilience and competitiveness.

Second, they will improve the policy system and continuously optimize industrial structure and ecology. They will further strengthen industrial planning and investment guidance, curb blind investment and