New electric vehicles — including both battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles — make up nearly half of new car sales in China. Compared to slowing EV sales in Europe and the U.S. the Chinese market is booming. 

So what’s going on?

In this episode, Shayle talks to TP Huang, who writes a Substack about EVs, clean energy, and other tech focused on China. (Editor's note: TP Huang is a pseudonym, used for family reasons.) Shayle and TP cover topics like:

• How EVs became extremely cost competitive with internal combustion engines in China where EV prices dip as low as $10,000 USD
• Chinese consumer preferences for vehicles packed with features ranging from voice commands to fridges
• The ubiquity and interoperability of fast charging, plus battery swapping
• The rapid pace of electrification in heavy-duty trucking 
• Chinese exports to Europe, Southeast Asia, and elsewhere (although not the U.S.)

Recommended Resources:

TP Huang: What's going in the Chinese automotive market

CNN: A brutal elimination round is reshaping the world’s biggest market for electric cars

Bloomberg: Why Europe Is Raising Tariffs on China’s Cheap EVs

Make sure to listen to our new podcast, Political Climate – an insider’s view on the most pressing policy questions in energy and climate. Tune in every other Friday for the latest takes from hosts Julia Pyper, Emily Domenech, and Brandon Hurlbut. Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Be sure to also check out Living Planet, a weekly show from Deutsche Welle that brings you the stories, facts, and debates on the key environmental issues affecting our planet. Tune in to Living Planet every Friday on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.