China Unveils 5-Year Roadmap to Become World Auto Power by 2030

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, alongside eight other departments, has released the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry," laying out a comprehensive roadmap to transform the country into a leading global automaker by 2030.

Issued on September 11, 2026, the plan positions intelligent connected new-energy vehicles — encompassing battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell models — as the core driver of the sector's transformation and a defining pillar of China's modern industrial strategy.

2030 Targets

The plan sets ambitious quantitative goals for 2030. New-energy passenger vehicles are expected to account for 70% of all passenger car sales, while NEV commercial vehicles should reach a 40% share. Vehicles equipped with autonomous driving functions will move from demonstration to large-scale commercial application.

On efficiency metrics, average fuel consumption for passenger cars must fall to 3.3 litres per 100 km, and average energy consumption for pure electric passenger cars should reach approximately 11.5 kWh per 100 km. Full-speed highway driving, urban expressways, and selected city roads will support high-level automated driving.

Productivity gains are also targeted: total factor labour productivity is expected to rise 15% over 2025 levels. The plan calls for cultivating several Chinese automakers that can break into the global sales top ten, alongside dozens of parts suppliers reaching the global top hundred.

Technology Priorities

The five-pillar framework focuses first on accelerating breakthroughs in key technologies — energy storage, intelligent chassis, connected systems, vehicle integration, and foundational materials and chips. Specific R&D priorities include next-generation batteries with improved safety and low-temperature performance, hub-motor and by-wire chassis components, and AI-native vehicle architectures.

Material science is also highlighted, with targets for ultra-high-strength steel, aluminium and magnesium alloys, fibre-reinforced composites, and advanced semiconductors. The plan emphasises developing domestic operating systems, automotive-grade chips, and functional software to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

Digitalisation, Infrastructure and Global Standards

The roadmap calls for accelerating AI adoption across design, manufacturing, sales, and after-sales operations, plus building a national "vehicle-road-cloud" integrated testing and application ecosystem. Charging and swapping infrastructure must be expanded rapidly, with emphasis on high-power fast chargers and rural coverage gaps.

China also plans to strengthen its voice in international standard-setting through deeper engagement with the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and to pursue carbon peaking in the auto sector before 2030.

Governance and Market Discipline

The plan introduces tighter oversight on capacity expansion, requiring stricter conditions for new independent NEV manufacturers and encouraging M&A among struggling firms. Market regulators will crack down on anti-competitive behaviour, illegal subsidies, and misleading industry data releases to protect a fair competitive environment.