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.