China’s NEV Exports Hit Record High in July, Redefining Global Competition

In July, China’s automobile exports reached a record 694,000 units. More importantly, new energy vehicles (NEVs) contributed 225,000 units, soaring 120% year-on-year. Against the backdrop of declining traditional fuel vehicle exports, NEVs have become the primary driver of China’s export growth. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), traditional fuel vehicle exports fell 4.3% year-on-year in July, while NEV exports jumped 120%. This contrast marks a completed shift in China’s overseas automotive growth momentum—Chinese electric vehicles are reshaping the global competitive landscape.

BYD Leads the Pack: Nearly 80,000 Units Exported in a Single Month

Among NEV exporters, BYD claimed the top spot with 78,364 units exported in July, accounting for nearly 37% of the total. This performance allowed BYD to surpass Tesla China in overseas markets, becoming the new export champion. From January to April this year, BYD exported 138,000 NEVs, overtaking Tesla China’s 119,000 units.

Breaking Through with Technology: From Certification Follower to Standard Setter

The key breakthrough in China’s NEV exports lies in overcoming barriers in international certification systems. Power batteries have passed the EU’s ECE R100.03 crash safety certification, and intelligent driving systems meet the UN ECE ALKS regulations, shortening EU vehicle certification cycles by 40%. BYD’s Blade Battery, with its superior pack efficiency, helped the ATTO 3 earn a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and achieve sales of over 120,000 units in Europe in 2024. Meanwhile, China’s rapid deployment of ultra-fast charging networks has ushered in the “minutes era” of charging—high-voltage platform models can recharge from 10% to 80% in just 10–15 minutes.

Diversifying Markets: Middle East Rising, Southeast Asia Heating Up

By 2025, the Middle East has emerged as a key growth market for Chinese auto exports. Data from the first half of the year show that countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia rank among China’s top ten complete vehicle export destinations. In Brazil, Chinese NEVs now account for 91.4% of the imported electric vehicle market. Southeast Asia is also becoming a hotbed for Chinese NEV expansion. According to PwC, EV penetration in the passenger vehicle market across six Southeast Asian countries rose from 9% in 2023 to 13% in 2024, and is projected to reach 30% by 2030. BYD, SAIC, and Neta have all established production bases in Thailand and Indonesia, increasing the localization rate to 40%.

Challenges and the Road Ahead: Breaking Through Trade Barriers

Trade barriers in Europe and the U.S. continue to intensify. The EU has imposed a five-year, 40% anti-subsidy tariff on Chinese-made EVs, while the U.S. has raised its NEV tariff rate from 25% to 100%. These measures have significantly increased both the cost and time of Chinese auto exports. In response, Chinese automakers are turning to localized production to overcome these hurdles. BYD is building a plant in Hungary; CATL is investing €7.3 billion in a 100GWh battery plant in Hungary; NIO has set up an intelligent driving R&D center in Berlin. SAIC and Great Wall Motors are also selecting European sites for new plants, effectively bypassing trade barriers and reducing logistics costs.

At the same time, Chinese NEVs are starting to participate in global rule-making. When BYD’s DM hybrid system is adopted by Toyota, and CATL’s battery technology is supplied to Tesla, it signals China’s transformation from the “world’s factory” to a “technology definer.” China’s NEV industry has entered a new stage of both quantity and quality growth. From product output to standard output, from price competition to technology premiums, the globalization of China’s auto industry is rewriting the century-old balance of power in the automotive sector.