KATHMANDU: Almost half of China’s first-time car buyers now want electric vehicles, according to a survey by Bloomberg Intelligence.
The study found 47% of new buyers plan to choose a battery electric vehicle. This is up from 25% in February. The survey was conducted in November and included 1,000 respondents planning to buy a car within 12 months.
Buyers cited better affordability, more model choices, and improved charging. Concerns about driving range and cold-weather battery performance remain, but new technology is easing these fears.
Among existing car owners, 52% said their next car would likely be electric. This was 34% in the earlier survey.
China has reached near price parity between electric and gasoline cars. Advanced tech features are also attracting buyers. Local technology firms such as Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi Corp. are gaining a stronger position in the market.
New-energy vehicles, including EVs and hybrids, are expected to account for more than 50% of China’s new car sales this year. Pure EVs will make up just over 25% of total sales.
Government incentives for EVs are being reduced in China. This has raised concerns about slower sales growth and wider gaps between large cities and smaller towns.
The government plans to expand charging infrastructure. The target is 28 million charging facilities by 2027, more than 50% higher than current levels.
Battery makers are pushing fast-charging technology. BYD claims its latest system can add 400 km of range in five minutes. CATL says its upgraded Shenxing battery can deliver 520 km in the same time.
