China plans for new energy vehicles to account for 70% of new domestic passenger car sales and 40% of new commercial vehicle sales by 2030, as the country seeks to accelerate electrification, autonomous driving, industrial efficiency and the green transition of its automotive sector.
Key Overview
- China targets 70% EV penetration in new passenger car sales by 2030.
- New energy commercial vehicles are targeted to reach 40% of new sales.
- Autonomous driving vehicles are expected to enter large-scale use.
- Passenger vehicle fuel consumption is targeted at 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres.
- Battery electric passenger vehicle electricity consumption is targeted at around 11.5 kWh per 100 kilometres.
- The plan calls for stronger battery safety, charging, AI, V2G and vehicle efficiency development.
- Chinese automotive brands are expected to strengthen their global position and influence over international standards.
China Sets 70% EV Sales Target for 2030
China has announced plans for electric vehicles (EVs) to account for 70% of new domestic passenger car sales by 2030, while new energy vehicles are targeted to represent 40% of new commercial vehicle sales.
The targets are contained in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) new “15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry.” The programme was co-signed by eight other ministries, including the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Commerce.
The plan also commits to deploying vehicles “with autonomous capabilities,” although it does not set a specific target for autonomous vehicle deployment.
China’s 2030 passenger EV target is only marginally above current penetration levels. Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed a record 65.2% passenger EV penetration in China. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence data also showed EV penetration exceeding 60% for four consecutive months as of August.
According to the plan, new energy passenger and commercial vehicles will account for 70% and 40% of total new vehicle sales in their respective segments by 2030, while vehicles equipped with autonomous driving functions will enter large-scale use.
Focus on Vehicle Efficiency and Autonomous Driving
Beyond sales targets, China’s five-year plan sets out technology and efficiency goals for the automotive industry.
Average fuel consumption of passenger vehicles is expected to reach 3.3 liters per 100 kilometers, while average electricity consumption for battery electric passenger vehicles is targeted at around 11.5 kWh per 100 kilometers.
The plan also calls for highly automated driving to be realized on expressways, urban express roads and selected urban roads.
Digital and intelligent development across the automotive industry is expected to reach a relatively high level, with labour productivity per employee rising 15 percent from the 2025 level.
A number of vehicle manufacturers are also expected to rank among the world’s top 10 by sales, while suppliers are targeted to rank among the world’s top 100 auto parts companies.
China Targets More Sustainable EV Industry
The plan also addresses the sustainability and structure of China’s rapidly growing new energy vehicle industry.
It calls for stronger capacity monitoring and controls, strict conditions for projects establishing new standalone NEV manufacturers and tighter management of battery production capacity.
China will also step up mergers, restructuring and cross-regional consolidation among automakers, using market-based and legal mechanisms to phase out outdated and inefficient capacity and improve overall utilization.
Competition oversight is another priority. The plan calls for stronger antitrust, unfair competition and pricing enforcement, alongside curbs on improper local efforts to attract investment through unauthorized subsidies, tax breaks and preferential land policies.
The document also calls for better oversight of industry data disclosures and corporate payments, action against improper market intervention and faster development of a unified national market.
Other areas highlighted include automotive chips, critical basic materials, operating systems, industrial software, battery safety, charging rates, low-temperature performance, AI, smart homes and robots, vehicle efficiency, V2G, heavy-duty electric trucks and labour productivity.
Context is everything. Stay ahead of shifting trends with today’s market updates, and uncover emerging opportunities using the Serrari Group Market Index and Marketplace. Then, take control of your own financial future by exploring our Money & Life Reset Transformation Blueprint ™ to build stronger habits, create better systems, and design a path toward lasting wealth.
EV Growth Could Accelerate Ahead of 2030
The 70% EV target could potentially be reached earlier than planned, according to analysts, as higher oil and fuel prices accelerate the shift toward electric vehicles.
EVs and hybrids accounted for 65% of China’s total passenger car sales in August, according to data from the local Passenger Car Association cited by Bloomberg.
The ambitious EV targets are also expected to continue eroding road fuel demand in China, which has been falling for the second consecutive year. The decline has been steeper this year amid the energy price shock following the start of the war in Iran.
Chinese state refiners are preparing for continued declines as road fuel demand plateaus and falls.
Sinopec, the world’s top refiner by capacity, expects Chinese oil demand to decline by 8.9% in 2026 from a year earlier amid demand destruction from higher oil prices and accelerating EV adoption.
Gasoline demand is expected to fall 8.7%, while diesel consumption is projected to decline 11.4%, according to Sinopec Economics & Development Research Institute.
Outlook
China’s latest five-year automotive plan sets a 70% target for new passenger EV sales and a 40% target for new energy commercial vehicle sales by 2030. With passenger EV penetration already at 65.2%, the target is relatively close to current levels, while rising energy prices could further accelerate adoption.
At the same time, China is focusing on autonomous driving, battery safety, charging, vehicle efficiency, industrial productivity, supply chains and the wider green transition of the automotive industry.
FAQs
1. What EV sales target has China set for 2030?
China aims for new energy vehicles to account for 70% of new domestic passenger car sales by 2030.
2. What is China’s commercial vehicle EV target?
China targets new energy vehicles to represent 40% of new commercial vehicle sales by 2030.
3. What are China’s vehicle efficiency targets?
The plan targets average passenger vehicle fuel consumption of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres and average battery-electric passenger vehicle electricity consumption of around 11.5 kWh per 100 kilometres.
4. What other technologies are covered by China’s new EV plan?
The plan covers autonomous driving, automotive chips, battery safety, charging rates, AI, industrial software, V2G, heavy-duty electric trucks, vehicle efficiency, smart homes and robots, among other areas.
Sources: EV Infrastructure News, Global Times, CleanTechnica, Yahoo Finance
Your financial future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build.
The real question is: when do you begin?
Move beyond simply staying informed.
Navigate the markets with clarity—track trends through the Serrari Group Market Index, uncover opportunities in the Serrari Marketplace, and build practical knowledge with our Curated Wealth Builder Platform.
Stay connected to what truly matters.
Get daily insights on macro trends and financial movements across Kenya, Africa, and global markets—delivered through the Serrari Newsletter.
Growth opens doors.
Advance your career through professional programs including ACCA, HESI A2, ATI TEAS 7 , HESI EXIT , NCLEX – RN and NCLEX – PN, Financial Literacy!🌟—designed to move you forward with confidence.
See where money is flowing—clearly and in real time.
Track Money Market Funds, Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds, Green Bonds, and Fixed Deposits, alongside global and African indexes, key economic indicators, and the evolving Crypto and stablecoin landscape—all within Serrari’s Market Index.
