The Moroccan government has announced an ambitious plan that will see the North African country become one of the world's most competitive hubs for electric car manufacturing.
The country's car industry is already on track to double the output of electric cars over the next two years, as it eyes a production target of 100,000 units annually.
Authorities in Morocco have said the country is developing one of the most integrated electric platforms in the world, serving not only future giant factories but also exporting electric vehicles throughout Europe and across the region.
The North African country auto sector is set to achieve a record in exports through sales worth around 15 billion U.S. dollars this year compared to 11.7 billion U.S. dollars recorded in 2022.
Officials said the ambitious vision for Morocco's electric car sector will boost its economy.
"We're expecting more growth in this sector as manufacturers have planned to achieve the objective of creating 100,000 to 120,000 new jobs, in addition to 10 billion (U.S.) dollars in revenues. The shift to car manufacturing is underway. It will boost the added value of the electric car design and industrial integration," said Ryad Mezzour, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade.
Auto experts say Morocco has strong potential in renewable energies, offering low-cost electricity production for electric vehicles.
"There's a huge demand in Morocco for electric and hybrid vehicles. Morocco is a leader in Africa in renewable energies as well as in ecological and environmental projects. The Moroccan market offers 100 percent electric cars with top features and international standards," said Youssef Hantouti, a car dealership manager.
The North African country is seeking to advance the ongoing transformation of its electric car industry, as it aims to transition to 100 percent by 2030 and which will be powered by an integrated industrial system.
"Morocco's project is to achieve the transformation of the electric car industry by supporting the industry's transformation in the first phase by 2026. The second phase will be dedicated to facilitating export and creating several modern industrial zones in the country by 2030," said Noureddine Barka, a Moroccan economist.
Morocco vows to develop electric car manufacturing
The popularity of China's new energy products in the global market stems from their trailblazing innovation and market adaptation in catering to the consumer needs, rather than driven by government subsidies, which embodies the market principle of survival of the fittest, said He Yadong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, on Thursday.
Chinese companies have been assiduous in research and development in the new energy sector more than two decades. Through fierce market competition, they have formed unique advantages, He told a regular press conference, nothing that China's new energy market is fully competitive, which results in the "survival of the fittest" and the continuous emergence of high-quality enterprises and products.
With regard to industrial subsidy policies, the spokesperson said such practices originated from the West, and are widely adopted by countries all over the world.
China's industrial subsidy policies abide by the WTO rules and adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination, he continued, adding that all enterprises operating in China can enjoy the same benefits.
"By contrast, the United States and Europe have significantly hiked subsidies in recent years, applying massive exclusive and discriminatory practices, and set up numerous obstacles to block Chinese products from entering relevant markets. These are typical protectionist practices in breach of the basic principles of the WTO," the spokesperson said.
He also said that China's new energy products are a contribution, rather than a threat to the world," adding that the country's high-quality new energy products have enriched the global supply, promoted the green and low-carbon process, and helped achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
It is estimated that each new energy vehicle cuts carbon emissions by around 1.66 tonnes per year. China exported 1.2 million new energy vehicles in 2023, which will help reduce carbon emissions by about two million tonnes annually.
The development of China's new energy industry has promoted the widespread application and industrialization of green, digital, artificial intelligence and other technologies, and spawned new technologies, adding new momentum of growth to the global economy.
Popularity of China's new energy products stems from trailblazing innovation, market adaptation: spokesperson
