Maguire: China tightens its grip on clean tech with growing exports of EVs.

China's position as the world leader in clean technology is best illustrated by its EV exports. These will reach nearly $70 billion dollars in 2025, and span over 150 countries.

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? and their components.

Over half of new cars in China are EVs. But as the domestic market slows, China's EV industry is likely to become more dependent on foreign markets. This will be true even if trade tensions arise with other countries.

This article will provide a breakdown of China's fastest-growing EV markets and explain 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 reached $69.6 billion. This is $21 billion more or 43% higher than what was recorded in 2024.

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

Belgium was the largest importer of electric vehicles, acquiring $6.6 billion worth in China last year. The United Kingdom (5,9 billion dollars) and United Arab Emirates ($3.5 billion) were the next two biggest buyers.

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 a lot is important for China. There is a danger of a slowdown of purchases in the wealthier countries after the recent boom.

In fact, a decline in the top region of Europe is almost certain after three years of EV imports from China exceeding $20 billion.

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

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 in 2025.

Growing the Clean Footprint

China's EV Exporters will be able, with EV exports exceeding $1 billion in all major regions, to not only continue to expand sales but also to grow their business offering into 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 a sense of urgency for policymakers and utilities alike, who are now working harder than ever to make sure that local power grids can be used.

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

As the number of Chinese electric vehicles on the road increases, consumers will be more comfortable 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)