China's NEV sales outnumber fuel passenger cars in July, experts expect continued growth

Retail sales for new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China continue to rise, with official data for July showing sales exceeding the 50-percent penetration mark, for the first time surpassing the sale of conventional passenger vehicles.

New energy vehicles are gaining more recognition among consumers in China. About 878,000 units of such vehicles were sold last month, surging 36.9 percent year on year, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

In Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, an electric vehicle dealership is frequently packed with customers. Apart from experiencing the features of new car models, visitors can even get some exercise, have a sip of coffee, and enjoy an artistic masterpiece in the dealership's multi-level building.

The bustling environment in the complex is a sign that Chinese customers are taking electric vehicles more seriously as an option.

"I've been driving gas-powered cars for the past seven or eight years, but now it seems like NEVs are really stepping up their game. There are also promotions online, and there are many running on the streets. So I want to consider changing to an NEV. First off, I'm drawn to the high-tech features. Then there's the comfort level when you're sitting in them. Plus, of course, they're energy-efficient, which is a big plus," said Gu Lei, a car buyer.

The proportion of new energy vehicle sales among the country's total vehicle sales came in at 51.1 percent in July, up 15 percentage points from the same period last year. This means that for the first time, new energy vehicles are selling more than conventional gasoline automobiles in the country.

Creative concepts at brick-and-mortar dealerships, bringing new energy vehicles closer to consumers, are one of the key forces behind the boost in sales.

"Since our project launched in 2022, we have basically achieved a satisfactory state of operation. We've seen a customer referral rate that's climbed to between 15 and 20 percent, which is really amazing. Our project has earned the trust of many customers and the endorsement of major manufacturers," said Hu Liangli, project director of Ganghong Auto EV World.

In addition to the variety of choices and the growing acceptance of new energy vehicles, industry insiders said continuous technological upgrades and competitive prices are driving their rapid growth in China.

"The entire ecosystem as well as the government built up a very good environment for applying the new energy vehicle, [and] for the energy storage, for example, battery swapping, battery charging. All the infrastructure made this happen. And of course, the industry itself, our OEMs, our supply chains also support such fast growth compared to the other markets around the world," said Zhang Junyi, former partner at consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

Experts anticipate continued growth in the new energy vehicle market, with Chinese brands poised to lead both domestically and on the global stage. Joint venture car manufacturers are aligned closely with Chinese consumer demand, crafting models that are designed and produced in China while catering not only to the domestic market but also global consumers.

China's NEV sales outnumber fuel passenger cars in July, experts expect continued growth

To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, the charcoal sparks dance, an intangible cultural heritage of China, provided a visual feast for visitors at a scenic spot in east China's Anhui Province As night fell at the Qiyunshan scenic spot in Xiuning County on Saturday, a charcoal sparks dance performance illuminated the sky. As the performers waved bamboo poles adorned with spark-emitting cages, sparks transformed into countless golden flowers.

"I've seen it on TV before. It's even more amazing and enjoyable to see on site. I highly recommend it," said Shen Lusha, a tourist.

The charcoal sparks dance is a traditional folk dance originating from central China's Hunan Province. The performers place red-hot charcoal fuel into a small iron wire cage, which is then tied to the tip of a bamboo pole with a rope. Then they swing the bamboo pole, triggering the wire lantern to move. In the night, the dance creates a mesmerizing display, with changing movements and flying sparks.

"The dimmer the light, the better it will be," said Wang Tongzhang, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage.

The dance not only won acclaim from the audience offline, but also gained the attention of tens of millions of online viewers on the short video platforms.

"Dancing requires a lot of efforts. Once you start, you have to keep going. The bigger the movements, the larger the sparks. So if you begin dancing, you can't pause. Sometimes, the charcoal sparks may even fall on my head and burn my hair. Through my videos, I hope people can see and understand this traditional culture," said Shi Haifeng, a short video maker.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday this year, Qiyunshan scenic spot has created an immersive tourism experience with focus on intangible cultural heritage performances, aiming to attract first-time visitors to return.

"While enjoying the beautiful scenery of Qiyun Mountain, tourists can also immerse themselves in intangible cultural heritage skills. During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, it is expected that the number of tourists will exceed 100,000," said Tao Ru, manager of the cultural tourism department of the Qiyunshan Management Committee.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in China is a festival in honor of the moon and harvest, as well as an occasion for family and friend reunions to eat mooncakes and appreciate the moon. It falls on the fifteenth day of the eight month in the traditional Chinese calendar.

This year's festival falls on Sept 17, with the public holiday running from Sunday to Tuesday.

Dazzling charcoal sparks dance provides visual fest for visitors in China's Anhui