ROI-China tightens clean tech grip with growing EV export reach: Maguire

By Gavin Maguire

LITTLETON, Colorado, Feb 6 (Reuters) - China's unmatched status as the global leader in clean energy technologies is perhaps best underscored by the massive reach of its EV exports, which hit nearly $70 billion in 2025 and spanned well over 150 countries and territories.

The electric vehicle industry is a major pillar of China's manufacturing economy, with millions of workers employed across the supply chains tied to clean cars and their components.

EVs account for over half of all new cars sold in China, but as domestic demand slows the country's EV sector looks set to become more reliant on international markets for growth - even in the face of trade tensions with target countries.

Here's a breakdown of the largest and fastest-growing markets for China's EV exports, and why its growing presence in key emerging economies looks set to further strengthen its hold over the entire gamut of clean energy technologies.

CHARGING TO RECORD HIGHS

China's total production of so-called New Energy Vehicles topped 16 million units in 2025, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), while EV exports hit a record 2.6 million units.

The value of those exports was $69.6 billion, according to data from think tank Ember, which was $21 billion or 43% more than recorded in 2024.

A total of 66 different countries recorded $100 million or more in Chinese EV imports in 2025, which was 27% more countries than above that import threshold in 2024.

The top overall importer was Belgium, which snapped up $6.6 billion of China-made EVs last year, followed by the United Kingdom ($5.9 billion) and the United Arab Emirates ($3.5 billion).

A total of 22 different countries or territories spent at least $1 billion on Chinese EV imports last year, which is up from 15 the year before.

WIDENING REACH

That growing number of big-spending nations is important for China, as there is a risk of a slowdown in purchases within wealthier countries following the recent boom.

Indeed, a slowdown in top region Europe is almost guaranteed following three straight years of Chinese EV imports topping $20 billion and the imposition of countervailing duties on the top Chinese EV makers since 2024.

And sales into North America have already fallen by nearly half from their 2023 peak following the quadrupling of U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs under U.S. President Joe Biden in 2024.

To offset the risk of further sales slides into key markets, China's EV makers have been steadily widening their target area to well beyond the world's wealthiest economies.

Indeed, in percentage terms, the region which posted the largest annual rise in Chinese EV import orders last year was Africa, which recorded a 189% jump in sales to $1.55 billion.

The Middle East posted a 92% or $3.5 billion gain to a total of $7.4 billion, while sales into both Asia and Oceania grew by more than 50% in 2025.

GROWING THE CLEAN FOOTPRINT

With EV export receipts at well over $1 billion in every major region, China's EV exporters are not only well placed to keep expanding sales but will now be able to also grow their business offerings into the after market and services sectors.

And these services extend well beyond the used car segment into battery systems, grid management components and even heating and cooling equipment.

As sales of EVs grow steadily across most countries, demand for appropriate charging infrastructure also expands and creates an urgency among policymakers and utilities to ensure local power grids are fit for service.

This in turn helps China's world-leading grid management and clean energy technology offerings secure a presence in building out those energy systems.

The steady growth in Chinese EVs on the roads then boosts consumer comfort levels with other China-made clean tech, including residential solar arrays, battery storage systems and air conditioners.

More than a dozen African nations imported $10 million or more in Chinese EVs last year, alongside 22 countries in Asia and 11 countries across the Middle East.

With EV adoption still accelerating as these economies boost grid coverage and electricity output, China's EV makers and clean energy vendors look well placed to enjoy further growth - even if consumers in Europe and North America tap the brakes.

The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.

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