Concerns rise over possible Chinese domination of electric vehicle market

Necessity may very well drive China to the front of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Given China's status as the world's largest automotive market, we have to believe that the country's automakers are chomping at the bit to capture both a larger share of their home market and to reach out to additional markets soon. If we assume that China's automotive growth will continue, then we must also assume that pollution levels throughout the country will skyrocket until the government steps in to take action, something it is already doing. With strong incentives in place to promote cleaner vehicles and stiff fines imposed on pollution, China is ripe for an EV invasion.

Chinese automakers have scrambled to produce EVs as quickly as possible. The country's push towards cleaner transportation has helped drive advancements in vehicle technology. As China's government strongly pushes for the adoption of EVs, both automakers and suppliers have swung into action. The urgency for cleaner transportation has pushed Chinese automakers to the forefront in EV technology. As retired Volkswagen chairman Carl Hahn told Automotive News Europe, the confluence of events will help the country "leapfrog its competitors in the traditional automotive industry." Hahn added that given China's economic might, the country could easily dominate the EV industry. It is not an idea that sits well with others, but it may become a reality soon.

[Source: Automotive News Europe – sub. req.]