Global automakers, experts call for cooperation on NEVs

HAIKOU - Major global automakers and experts have called for more intensive cooperation in the field of new energy vehicles (NEVs) to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.

Speaking at the 3rd World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC), the international participants said since China is the biggest auto market in the world, they are willing to work with Chinese partners to fight against climate change for a clean, beautiful world.

Themed "Comprehensively promoting marketization, accelerating cross-industry integration, jointly achieving carbon neutrality," the three-day event was held in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, from Sept 15 to 17.

John Edwards, British Trade Commissioner for China, said he encourages more Chinese companies to explore collaboration opportunities with the UK and help shape the battery and new energy vehicle market.

"Both China and the UK have detailed plans for zero-emission vehicles. I firmly believe, through exchanges and cooperation such as in this event, we can accelerate innovation, and foster a successful environment to meet our zero-emission vehicle objectives," Edwards said.

As a company that has operated in the Chinese market for decades, BMW expressed its support for the green transition in China.

The German automaker said it will provide more zero-emission vehicles for the Chinese market and expand the scale of public charging stations by collaborating with Chinese companies. BMW is forging cooperation with Chinese tech giants to help startups in tech innovation, BMW chief of development Frank Weber said in a video speech.

Global auto-system supplier ZF has set up nearly 50 manufacturing companies and four R&D centers in more than 20 cities in China.

Holger Klein, member of the board of management of ZF Group, said the company will continue to enhance its innovation and development capabilities and promote digital manufacturing for the Chinese NEV market, and contribute to China's sustainable development and next generation mobility.

Noting that China is the largest electric vehicle market, Hans Georg Engel, senior executive vice president of Daimler Greater China Ltd., said the company will set up an R&D center in Beijing with over 1,000 engineers and will continue to invest in China to make its research capabilities more remarkable.

To be specific, Daimler will focus on the research and development of electric cars and battery technologies to provide customized products to meet the demand of Chinese consumers, he added.

German automaker Volkswagen plans to build 17,000 high-power charging piles in China before 2025 and 32,000 by 2030, according to Liu Yunfeng, vice CEO of Volkswagen Group China, noting that achieving carbon neutrality requires effort from every country across the world.

Liu's remarks were echoed by Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO of the Global Environment Facility, who urged intensive cooperation in terms of technologies and markets to help the development of the NEV industry in developing countries.