Maguire: China tightens its grip on clean tech with EV export growth.

China's position as a global leader in clean technology is best illustrated by its massive EV exports. These will reach nearly $70 billion dollars in 2025, and span well?over 150 different countries and territories.

Electric vehicles are a major part of China's manufacturing industry, and millions of people work in the various supply chains that support clean cars.

Over half of new cars in China are EVs. But as domestic demand declines, the country's EV industry is likely to be more dependent on foreign markets. This will happen despite trade tensions between China and the target countries.

This article will provide a breakdown of China's fastest-growing markets and the reasons why the country's growing presence in emerging economies is likely to strengthen its grip on clean energy technologies.

Charges Reach Record Highs

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China's total production of New Energy Vehicles will reach 16 million units by 2025. Meanwhile, EV exports have reached a record-breaking 2.6 million units.

According to Ember's data, the value of these exports was $69.6 Billion, or $21 Billion, or 43% higher than in 2024.

In 2025, 66 countries imported Chinese EVs worth $100 million or higher. This is 27% more than in 2024.

Belgium was the top importer of electric vehicles made in China, acquiring $6.6 billion worth last year. The United Kingdom (which spent $5.9 billion on EVs) and?the United Arab Emirates (which spent $3 billion) were next.

Last year, 22 countries and territories imported Chinese electric vehicles worth at least $1 billion. This is an increase from the 15 countries that did so in 2011.

WIDENING REACH

The growing number of wealthy nations that are willing to spend big is crucial for China.

In fact, a decline in the top region of Europe is almost certain after three years straight where Chinese EV imports have exceeded $20 billion.

Sales in North America are already down by almost half compared to their peak of 2023 following the quadrupling U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese EVs by U.S. president Joe Biden, starting in 2024.

China's EV manufacturers have steadily expanded their target market to include countries far beyond the richest economies of the world.

In fact, Africa was the region that saw the biggest annual increase in Chinese EV orders in the last year, with a jump of 189% in sales, to $1.55 Billion.

Middle East sales grew 92%, or $3.5 billion to $7.4 billion. Sales into Asia and Oceania increased by over 50%.

Growing the Clean Footprint

China's EV Exporters will be able to expand their sales by a large margin, and also grow their offerings in the services and after-market sectors.

These services go beyond used cars to include battery systems, grid-management components and heating and cooling equipment.

The demand for charging infrastructure is increasing as EV sales continue to grow in most countries. This creates an urgent need for policymakers and utilities alike to make sure that local power grids can be used.

In turn, this helps China's leading grid management and clean energy technology offerings secure a place in the building of these energy systems.

As the number of Chinese electric vehicles on the road increases, so does consumer comfort with other clean tech products made in China, such as residential solar panels, battery storage systems, and air conditioners.

Last year, 22 Asian countries and 11 Middle Eastern countries imported Chinese EVs worth $10 million or higher.

China's EV manufacturers and clean energy vendors are well positioned to continue growing, even if Europeans and Americans slow down.

These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for.

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(source: Reuters)