Beijing has excluded electric vehicles from its list of strategic industries in the 2026–2030 five-year development plan, marking their first omission in over a decade as the sector struggles with oversupply. New energy vehicles (NEVs), including EVs, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell cars, had been classified as strategic emerging industries in the previous three plans to enhance industrial competitiveness. However, the 15th five-year plan, unveiled by Xinhua News Agency, shifts focus toward “quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen energy, and nuclear fusion” as new growth drivers. Automobiles were instead mentioned alongside housing, with authorities calling for the easing of purchase restrictions to spur consumption. The full plan is expected to be released at China’s parliamentary meeting in March.
