Strengthening Collaborative Efforts for Green Transformation at NEV Congress

The recently concluded 2025 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) held from September 27 to 29 in Haikou, Hainan province, focused on the accelerating growth of new energy vehicles (NEVs) on a global scale. Hildegard Müller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), expressed strong confidence that the NEV market would see continued dynamic growth not only in China but also worldwide. In an interview, she underscored the increasing global demand for NEVs, particularly with China leading the sales figures.

In the first half of 2025 alone, global NEV sales soared past 9.7 million units, marking a 31.3% increase year-on-year. China contributed significantly to this surge by selling over 6.9 million units, which is a remarkable 40.3% jump compared to the previous year, leading to a market penetration rate of approximately 44.3%. This highlights a substantial shift towards more sustainable vehicle options.

However, industry experts warned that the sustained growth of the NEV market hinges on overcoming a series of challenges, primarily infrastructure-related. Müller emphasized the critical need for robust infrastructure to support this growth, which includes improved charging facilities, efficient power grids, and reduced electricity costs for charging. Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, reiterated this point by calling attention to the essential infrastructure that needs to be deployed, including distributed energy power generation and hydrogen refueling stations along major highways.

The conference introduced the NEV50@2035 initiative, a consensus reached during the first WNEVC in 2019, targeting a 50% share of the global NEV market by 2035. The discussions at the congress pointed towards a multifaceted approach to technology adoption—integrating electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell EVs as part of the future landscape of the NEV industry. This viewpoint aligns with the observation that relying solely on a single technological pathway could hamper the overall transformation of the industry.

Müller also highlighted regional variations in energy resources and infrastructure, stressing that different markets will require tailored technological solutions. Wang Xiaoqiu, chairman of SAIC Motor Corporation, added that fuel cell vehicles offer substantial benefits, especially in specific application scenarios such as long-distance transportation and commercial use, given their efficiency and lower environmental impact.

The innovation of battery technology remains another significant area that needs attention, according to Wan. He recommended strategies aimed at enhancing the development of high-energy liquid-state batteries and called for comprehensive regulations surrounding battery production, recycling, and usage to establish a sustainable closed-loop system throughout the product lifecycle.

As the NEV sector continues to evolve, collaboration across borders is vital. Müller urged against trade protectionism, calling for the automotive industry to work together under the multilateral trading system to eliminate trade barriers and foster a fair global market environment. She noted the historical partnership between Germany and China in the automotive space and how this cooperation is evolving to include the NEV sector and technology advancements such as autonomous driving.

Joint ventures like the partnership between Volkswagen and JAC Automobile in Anhui and Geely Auto's R&D center near Frankfurt highlight this collaborative spirit. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz's recent partnership with Bytedance for an intelligent driver assistance system illustrates the potential for productive cooperation between German and Chinese firms.

As both nations navigate these complex changes, industry leaders expressed a strong desire for shared efforts in addressing challenges posed by technology and market shifts. Xiong Jijun, China's Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, affirmed the ministry's commitment to enhancing international cooperation and aligning standards to create a conducive global environment for the NEV industry.

In conclusion, the discussions at the WNEVC point to a promising future for NEVs, driven by collaboration, technological diversity, and strong infrastructure development. This proactive approach is essential not just for the automotive industry but for positioning industrial and ecological advancements in alignment with global sustainable development goals.