Author: Linda Ma

China has introduced new restrictions on the export of battery cathode material preparation technologies, including those related to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP), citing growing applications in sensitive sectors and the need to align development with national security objectives. The updated regulations, announced Tuesday by the Ministry of Commerce, were added to the country’s Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export from China and took immediate effect. Exporters must now obtain official licences before transferring such technologies abroad. “Battery cathode material preparation technology is increasingly being used in sensitive fields,” a spokesperson for the…

Li Auto’s second all-electric SUV, the Li i6, has been included in China’s latest list of new energy vehicles (NEVs) eligible for purchase tax exemptions, a key regulatory step ahead of the model’s planned market debut in September. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Li i6 will come with a single battery option rated at 87.3 kWh and weighing either 622.8 or 620.0 kilograms, depending on configuration. The vehicle will offer three range variants under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC): 660 km, 710 km, and 720 km. The five-seat, two-row electric SUV measures…

Nio’s upcoming third-generation ES8 SUV will likely share the same 100-kWh battery pack as its ET9 sedan, potentially enhancing the vehicle’s driving range and market competitiveness, according to regulatory documents released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The new ES8 model, listed under the product number NAL6533BSEVE1, features a 102-kWh battery pack and has been added to the latest list of vehicles eligible for new energy vehicle (NEV) purchase tax exemptions. The battery enables a CLTC-rated range of 635 kilometers. With a curb weight of 2,630 kg and a battery pack weighing 545 kg, the vehicle achieves…

German automaker Volkswagen has reclaimed the top spot among volume brands in the latest innovation study by Germany’s Centre of Automotive Management (CAM), while Chinese manufacturer Nio leads the premium segment. The report highlights a growing concentration of innovation in e-mobility among German and Chinese firms, with Tesla falling behind previous performance. Volkswagen topped the volume brand rankings with an innovation score of 29.4, buoyed by breakthroughs in its ID.3 GTX and ID.7 models. The ID.3 GTX offers a 79 kWh battery with a WLTP range of 604 kilometres and fast-charging capabilities up to 185 kW. Meanwhile, the ID.7 Pro…

Chinese vehicle manufacturer JAC Group and battery producer CATL, along with its subsidiary EVOGO, have completed the first integrated battery swapping test for commercial vehicles using the Choco-SEB platform. The test achieved a full battery exchange in 150 seconds, according to the companies, which plan to expand the technology across China. The new system is designed to deliver fast battery replacement, cost efficiency, and compatibility with a variety of vehicle types. The approach is part of an ongoing collaboration between JAC and CATL, which aims to reduce vehicle downtime and lifecycle costs while supporting broader electric vehicle (EV) adoption in…

Shangjie, the new automotive brand co-developed by Huawei and SAIC Motor (SHA: 600104), has released the first official images of its debut model, the H5, an electric SUV expected to launch in the fall, after teases on Chinese social media earlier this month. The announcement comes days after the brand began its initial promotional campaign on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The newly unveiled images reveal an exterior design that includes a LiDAR sensor mounted on the roof, aligning with similar configurations seen in other Chinese electric vehicle (EV) models. Huawei confirmed that the H5 will come equipped with its…

Mirattery, the battery asset operator affiliated with Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) on Thursday, marking a significant step in expanding China’s battery swap infrastructure. The agreement, signed in Hefei, Anhui province, outlines a broad partnership encompassing equity investment, battery rental operations, user services, co-construction and sharing of battery swap stations, and battery resource recycling. The collaboration also extends to battery technology development, innovation, and business model expansion, according to a statement from Mirattery. Mirattery said the deal aims to establish a new model for upstream-downstream collaboration within the…

Onvo, a sub-brand launched by Nio to target the growing family SUV segment, has officially opened presales for its debut model—the Onvo L90, a full-size three-row electric crossover. Starting at 279,900 yuan (approx. $38,980), the L90 becomes even more competitive under Nio’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) program, which brings the starting price down to 193,900 yuan ($27,000) with a monthly battery rental of 899 yuan (approx. $125). This pricing strategy positions the L90 as a compelling choice in China’s increasingly competitive electric vehicle (EV) market. The Onvo L90 stands out with its spacious and lightweight construction, measuring 5,145 mm…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD has delivered its 90,000th vehicle in Thailand, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of operations at its local factory, the company said on Monday. The milestone vehicle, a Denza D9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) from BYD’s premium sub-brand, was handed over by BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu to Nualphan Lamsam, president of the Football Association of Thailand. The delivery comes as BYD’s Thai factory, its first wholly owned overseas passenger car production site, marks a full year of operations. The plant began production on July 4, 2024, with the first locally built vehicle marking the company’s…

BYD announced that cumulative deliveries of its Smart Driving Edition vehicles have exceeded one million units, underlining its increased focus on software development this year. The milestone, disclosed in a post on the company’s official Weibo account, reflects growing adoption of BYD’s proprietary “God’s Eye” smart driving systems across its product lineup. The company also revealed it is preparing to launch what it describes as its largest over-the-air (OTA) software update to date, aimed at enhancing safety and driver assistance functionality. No additional technical details were provided. In February, BYD introduced Smart Driving Editions across 21 models, including the entry-level…

Chinese electronics and electric vehicle maker Xiaomi has successfully registered its SU7 Ultra electric sedan for public road use in Europe, marking a significant step in the company’s preparations for international expansion. The vehicle, bearing the license plate “M SU7088E,” was approved for testing in Munich, Germany, and represents the first legally registered SU7 to operate on public roads in the region. The registration and road test were disclosed through a Weibo post by Lu Weibing, Partner and President of Xiaomi Group. Currently on a business tour across Europe, Lu confirmed the test drive of the licensed vehicle and underscored…

Xpeng has seen a strong market response to the launch of its new G7 SUV, securing more than 10,000 confirmed orders within the first nine minutes of its debut, the company announced on its official Weibo account. The G7, which made its official debut yesterday evening, enters China’s competitive electric vehicle (EV) market with a starting price of RMB 195,800 ($27,330), significantly undercutting Tesla’s Model Y by RMB 67,700, or 25.7%. This launch price also marks a reduction from the RMB 235,800 figure listed during the pre-sale period that began on June 11. Three variants of the G7 are available:…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio said it will reschedule its flagship annual event, Nio Day, from its traditional December slot to the fall, marking the first such change in eight years. The decision is intended to better align with product deliveries and peak fourth-quarter sales. The company confirmed that Nio Day 2025 will take place this fall, a move reached after consulting with members of its user community. According to a post on the Nio App, the event will coincide with the launch of the third-generation ES8, a luxury three-row flagship SUV that recently appeared in the regulatory filing catalog…

Xiaomi is accelerating preparations at its Phase 2 electric vehicle (EV) factory in Beijing with a large-scale hiring campaign, as soaring demand for its newly launched YU7 electric SUV pushes production capacity to its limits, Chinese media reported. The company is recruiting general workers, operators, and truck drivers for the Phase 2 plant, with applicants between 18 and 38 years old preferred, according to local outlet Sina Tech. New employees are expected to work 11-hour shifts under a two-shift system, with a daily wage of RMB 230 ($32). The recruitment comes as Xiaomi faces extended delivery times for the YU7,…

Eve Energy has formally submitted an application for a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, as the Chinese battery manufacturer looks to raise funds for international expansion, particularly in Hungary and Malaysia. CITIC Securities is acting as the sole sponsor for the offering, according to the preliminary prospectus published on Sunday. The company has not yet disclosed the number of shares to be issued or the expected fundraising target. Founded in 2001 and listed on China’s ChiNext board in 2009, Eve Energy has become one of the country’s major battery suppliers, serving customers such as Xiaomi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, GAC…

Xiaomi is facing delivery delays for its first electric SUV, the YU7, after demand outpaced the company’s current production capacity. The overwhelming response has resulted in wait times of up to one year for some variants, underlining both the market’s enthusiasm and the challenges of ramping up automotive output. The YU7 launch drew more than 200,000 pre-orders within three minutes, with around 120,000 secured through non-refundable deposits. That figure continued to climb rapidly, reaching 289,000 total pre-orders in the first hour. Within 18 hours, Xiaomi recorded over 240,000 locked-in orders — exceeding the company’s annual production capacity. See also: Everything You…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD will assume direct control over distribution of its electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Australia from July 2025, ending its partnership with national distributor EV Direct a year ahead of schedule. The strategic shift aims to streamline operations, broaden retail access, and support growing demand for new-energy vehicles across the country. Under the new arrangement, BYD Australia will oversee national distribution, while the retail network will be managed by a newly formed entity, EV Dealer Group (EVDG), which includes the current EV Direct management team. Eagers Automotive, one of Australia’s largest dealership groups, will remain…

A source familiar with BYD’s operations said the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer has maintained stable production capacity and growing sales, countering recent reports that the automaker had slowed output and delayed expansion efforts. “BYD’s sales have grown steadily, and production capacity has remained stable,” the person told CnEVPost on Wednesday, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. The remarks come after a Reuters report, citing two unnamed sources, said BYD had reduced work shifts at some factories in China and delayed plans for new production lines, citing signs of slowing momentum in the domestic market. The…

Nio’s small EV sub-brand Firefly has launched its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) purchase plan ahead of schedule, offering significant price reductions for its Firefly EV model as it faces mounting sales pressure. Originally slated for an August 1 debut, the BaaS plan was rolled out early on Wednesday. Under the scheme, the Firefly EV’s starting price drops to RMB 79,800 ($11,120), down 33.39% from its original RMB 119,800 price, which included the battery. A higher-end variant sees a similar reduction, falling from RMB 125,800 to RMB 85,800, a 31.80% cut. To offset the lower upfront cost, customers under the BaaS scheme will…

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi (1810.HK) has intensified its push into the electric vehicle market by launching its second EV, the YU7 SUV, with a starting price of 253,500 yuan ($35,364) — undercutting Tesla’s Model Y by almost 4% in China. Xiaomi unveiled pricing for the YU7 on Thursday, with higher-end variants YU7 Pro and YU7 Max priced at 279,900 yuan and 329,900 yuan, respectively. The Model Y, which was China’s top-selling SUV in May, currently starts at 263,500 yuan. Xiaomi began taking orders at 10 p.m. local time, and reported more than 200,000 bookings within the first three minutes. “The…