China’s EV Exports Rise 15% Year-on-Year as BYD and NIO Lead Global Shipments
China’s electric vehicle (EV) exports rose 15 percent in the first ten months of 2025, maintaining the country’s position as the world’s largest EV supplier.
Automakers BYD, NIO, and SAIC Motor accounted for the majority of shipments, supported by policy incentives, competitive pricing, and growing demand for affordable clean transportation in Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Industry analysts say the sustained export growth highlights China’s leadership in EV technology, manufacturing scale, and global supply chain integration, even amid rising trade scrutiny in Western markets.
Record Exports and Expanding Global Reach
According to customs data, China exported more than 1.6 million electric vehicles between January and October 2025, up from 1.4 million during the same period last year. The total value of EV exports reached nearly $58 billion, driven by surging sales in Europe and emerging markets.
BYD led the rankings with more than 860,000 vehicles shipped abroad, while NIO, Chery, and SAIC’s MG brand saw strong growth in high-end and mid-range segments.
The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reported that more than 45 percent of all new EVs sold in Europe this year were manufactured by Chinese brands. The EU, Brazil, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates have become key export destinations.
China’s automakers have also begun localizing production, with BYD opening assembly plants in Hungary and Thailand and NIO establishing a battery swap facility network in the Netherlands.
“The overseas expansion of China’s EV manufacturers is reshaping global mobility,” said Cui Dongshu, CPCA secretary-general. “Strong cost control and mature supply chains allow Chinese brands to deliver high quality at scale.”
Policy Support and Industry Ecosystem
China’s continued success in EV exports is underpinned by strong industrial policy coordination.
Under the 15th Five-Year Plan, Beijing has prioritized the development of new energy vehicles (NEVs), lithium battery technologies, and smart transport infrastructure as part of the country’s green transformation strategy.
Government-backed financing, R&D tax incentives, and logistics support have enabled automakers to scale exports while maintaining affordability.
Bloomberg reported that China’s Ministry of Commerce recently expanded its Green Vehicle Export Initiative, offering streamlined customs procedures and digital certification for overseas shipments.
Local governments in Shenzhen and Shanghai have also invested heavily in charging infrastructure and port automation, allowing manufacturers to manage exports more efficiently.
“The combination of national industrial policy and private innovation has created an unbeatable synergy,” said Zhao Hui, a transportation economist at Tsinghua University. “China’s EV sector is not just leading in numbers, it’s leading in technology and logistics integration.”
Global Competition and Regulatory Pressures
Despite record performance, Chinese automakers face increasing regulatory challenges in key export markets.
The European Commission’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs has raised concerns about potential tariffs, though industry experts argue that most Chinese firms remain competitive even with added costs due to vertical supply chain efficiency and advanced battery innovation.
NIO’s CEO William Li said the company “remains committed to global cooperation,” emphasizing joint ventures and local employment as part of its expansion model.
BYD has also begun collaborating with European energy companies to develop vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, strengthening its position as a technology provider rather than a pure exporter.
In Southeast Asia, where competition is intensifying, Chinese brands are also partnering with local governments to establish training centers and component factories to support workforce development.
China’s Global EV Footprint Expands
Analysts expect China’s EV exports to exceed 2 million units by the end of 2026, with market share continuing to grow in both developed and developing economies.
The next stage of expansion will focus on smart mobility ecosystems integrating software, autonomous driving, and battery recycling to create a full circular economy model.
With BYD and NIO setting benchmarks in cost efficiency, design innovation, and global presence, China’s EV sector is no longer just competing on scale it is shaping the global direction of sustainable transportation.
As policymakers and manufacturers worldwide race to meet net-zero targets, China’s all-encompassing EV ecosystem stands as the most comprehensive and technologically advanced model of industrial transformation.
