Electric Cars

China's clean technology export sector achieved an unprecedented milestone in August 2025, recording a staggering $20 billion. This remarkable surge is predominantly attributed to the escalating global demand for electric vehicles and advanced battery systems, solidifying China's position as the world's leading exporter of electrotechnology. The robust performance in these key areas signals a significant transformation in international trade dynamics, with a pronounced shift towards sustainable energy solutions.

Analysis of recent data reveals a substantial increase in exports of electric vehicles, which saw a 26% rise from January to August compared to the previous year. Concurrently, battery exports experienced a 23% growth during the same period. While other clean energy sectors, such as grid technology and wind power, also demonstrated moderate expansion, the exponential growth in EVs and batteries stands out, now accounting for more than double the value of China's solar PV exports. This remarkable expansion is occurring despite a general trend of decreasing technology prices, particularly in the solar panel market.

The declining costs of clean energy technologies have been a critical factor in their widespread adoption across diverse geographical regions. For instance, solar panel prices have plummeted by over 80% in the last decade, making them more accessible and stimulating global demand. In August alone, China exported an impressive 46 gigawatts of solar PV, surpassing Australia's total installed solar capacity. However, the monetary value of these exports remains significantly lower than its peak in March 2023, reflecting the impact of reduced pricing.

A notable aspect of this export boom is the increasing penetration into non-OECD markets. Over half of the growth in China's EV exports this year originated from outside the OECD bloc, with the ASEAN region emerging as a crucial growth driver. EV exports to ASEAN countries witnessed a substantial 75% increase in the first eight months of 2025, largely propelled by Indonesia. The Indonesian market experienced the most significant surge in Chinese EV imports globally, ascending to become the world's ninth-largest EV market. In August 2025, battery electric vehicles constituted 14% of new car sales in Indonesia, a notable increase from 9% a year prior.

The African continent is also rapidly embracing Chinese clean technology. From January to August, EV exports to Africa nearly tripled year-over-year, albeit from a low initial base. Morocco led this growth, while Nigeria's imports surged sixfold. Furthermore, Latin America and the Caribbean observed an 11% increase in imports, and the Middle East saw a 72% rise, underscoring a global embrace of Chinese clean energy innovations.

Domestically, China's commitment to clean technology adoption is even more pronounced. Electric vehicles comprised 52% of new car sales in August, and in the first half of 2025, China installed over twice the number of solar panels compared to the rest of the world combined. This rapid internal adoption is attributed to consistent policy support that is actively transforming the nation's economy and energy infrastructure towards electrified technologies, as highlighted in Ember's recent China Energy Transition Review.

Euan Graham, an analyst at Ember, emphasized the surging global demand for clean technologies, driven by their benefits such as low-cost power and more affordable vehicles. He noted that Chinese electrotechnology is forming the foundation of the new energy system, with continuous cost reductions fostering accelerated growth, particularly in developing economies. This trend indicates a profound and lasting shift in the global energy landscape, with China at its forefront.

Owners of early MEB-based Volkswagen Group electric vehicles, including models such as the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID. Buzz, Skoda Enyaq, and Cupra Born, have long faced challenges with slow charging in cold climates due to the absence of battery preconditioning. Despite these vehicles possessing the necessary hardware, the feature was not activated in their initial software versions. Now, an inventive solution crafted by a security engineer offers a pathway for these drivers to manually preheat their vehicle's battery, enhancing the efficiency of fast charging, especially during winter months. This cost-effective, do-it-yourself modification involves integrating a small circuit board into the car's battery management system, providing a practical workaround to a significant limitation and promising a better charging experience for numerous EV users.

This innovative workaround addresses a critical gap for many early adopters of Volkswagen Group's electric vehicles. While newer models feature integrated battery preconditioning, the lack of this function in older MEB platform cars has resulted in extended charging times in colder conditions. The development of a DIY circuit board offers a viable, albeit non-factory-approved, method to activate the existing battery heating hardware. This intervention is particularly timely as the colder season approaches, potentially transforming the ownership experience for thousands of EV drivers by enabling faster and more reliable charging, thereby mitigating one of the primary frustrations associated with EV use in diverse climates.

A DIY Fix for Volkswagen EV Battery Preconditioning

Many early models of Volkswagen Group electric vehicles, specifically those built on the MEB platform between 2021 and early 2024, do not come equipped with an activated battery preconditioning feature. This oversight leads to significantly longer charging durations in cold weather, as the battery's performance is restricted when it is not at its optimal operating temperature. Despite the vehicles possessing the necessary components, the software simply lacks the functionality for drivers to manually initiate the preheating process. This issue affects popular models including the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID. Buzz, Skoda Enyaq, and Cupra Born, impacting the convenience and practicality of fast charging in colder climates for a substantial number of owners. The presence of hardware without corresponding software functionality highlights a key area where user-driven innovation can provide timely solutions.

A notable solution to this problem has emerged from the efforts of a security engineer, who devised a DIY modification. This involves a custom-built circuit board that connects directly to the vehicle's battery management system (BMS) harness, typically situated behind the glovebox. The board, which costs approximately $40 to $50 in parts, needs to be programmed using a separate USB dongle. Once installed, it allows owners to activate the battery heater and coolant pump, preparing the battery for efficient DC fast charging. While this method requires some technical effort and involves minor modifications to the vehicle's electrical system, it provides a practical way for affected EV owners to circumvent the factory-imposed limitation and improve their cold-weather charging experience. It's important to note that such modifications might affect vehicle warranties, though the creator suggests that the car's built-in safety mechanisms prevent damage.

The Evolution and Impact of the Preconditioning Mod

The initial iteration of the battery preconditioning solution, while effective, does present a few limitations. To power the circuit board that controls the battery heater and coolant pump, a USB-C cable connected to an external USB power source is required. This setup, while functional, lacks the modern integration expected in contemporary vehicles. Furthermore, the first version does not offer any real-time feedback on the battery's temperature or the preconditioning status, leaving users without direct insights into the system's operation. Despite these minor inconveniences, the mod has been welcomed by many owners who previously struggled with slow charging speeds in cold conditions, providing a valuable interim solution until more official or integrated options become available. This practical fix significantly improves the usability of these EVs during colder seasons.

Looking ahead, the developer is actively working on a more advanced version of the system. This upcoming iteration aims to offer a more refined user experience by incorporating a smartphone application. The app would enable users to wirelessly control the battery heater and monitor vital information such as battery temperature and heating progress, thereby addressing the feedback limitations of the first version. However, the distribution of parts for this second version, which involves custom-made circuit boards, poses a challenge due to its more complex manufacturing requirements. Despite the current hurdles, the continuous development of this preconditioning solution underscores the community's drive to enhance EV performance and owner satisfaction, demonstrating how innovative approaches can bridge gaps in manufacturer offerings and contribute to the broader electric vehicle ecosystem.