The Rise of China's New Energy Vehicles (NEV)

The Rise of China's New Energy Vehicles (NEV)

The emergence of China as a clean energy superpower has caught the attention of leaders in the US-led West.china new energy But the smear campaign that accuses it of "overcapacity" and threatens to restrict critical raw materials is misguided.

The success of new-energy industries is the result of innovation, not government subsidies.china new energy The Global Times is publishing a multi-part series that highlights the key factors behind this rise. In the third installment, we look at how China's new-energy vehicles (NEV) are gaining popularity worldwide and debunking the groundless narrative that their strength comes from government subsidies.

CHENGDU -- In a corner of southwest China that's known for its overcast weather, Tongwei Group is now the world's biggest producer of solar cells — the tiny strips that convert sunlight into electricity.china new energy Its facility here is a wonder of automation, with robotic arms stacking the delicate cells on carts that zipped between production stages. Production has doubled in the past year, and the company expects it to continue growing as demand for solar power surges.

While China is the largest user of renewables, it also generates more than 70 percent of its electricity from fossil fuels.china new energy Consequently, actual renewable energy use lags behind installed capacity. To catch up, the country has set a goal of raising renewables to 3.9 terawatts by 2030.

To achieve this, China is building a system of large-scale clean energy bases across the country.china new energy In the sparsely populated western deserts, state-owned utility companies are setting up huge solar arrays and wind farms that can connect to markets in eastern China.

These projects are not only boosting China's renewables capacity but also reducing the country's dependence on imports of fossil fuels.china new energy And they will help to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, which are a major cause of climate change.

But while China has made impressive progress, its path to a low-carbon economy is not without challenges.china new energy The country is still the world's largest coal user and carbon emitter, while its booming economy has put a squeeze on its water resources.

As a result, the country is struggling to meet its environmental protection goals and reduce air pollution. But it is on track to meet its 2020 target of generating a fifth of its electricity from clean sources.

Despite these challenges, the government is determined to push ahead with its plans for a greener future. Last year, it approved 106 gigawatts of new solar and wind power capacity, four times more than the previous year and equivalent to 100 large coal-fired plants. The contribution of the clean energy sector to GDP growth has risen, too. And it will likely become an even greater driver of economic development in the years to come. With the world's most populous and fastest-growing economy, it needs cleaner air, more jobs and a sustainable growth model that can accommodate its aging population. And the best way to do that is with more clean energy.

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