Next generation: Battery manufacturer CATL’s booth at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The company unveiled a battery with 1,000km of range during the show. — Reuters
BEIJING: The 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, an A-list event continuing through May 4, is showcasing an unprecedented number of new electric vehicles (EVs), with 278 distinct EV models on display, reflecting the growing dominance of EVs in the auto industry.
CATL, a leading battery manufacturer, launched a new battery at the prestigious auto show, featuring a world-first innovation that offers 1,000km range and supports ultra-fast charging.
This breakthrough allows for a 600-km range in just 10 minutes of charging, achieving a recharge rate of “1km per second.”
A CATL spokesperson said that while the world is turning climate consensus into action, many obstacles remain. Technological inequality persists, and some countries are slowing the pace of the green-energy transition, which creates challenges in advancing a sustainable future for the world.
“Today, we need to unite as never before to tackle these pressing challenges, and I believe an open approach to innovation is the solution,” the spokesperson told Xinhua.
In China, the EV passenger car retail penetration rate exceeded 50% for the first time in the first half of April, indicating that one out of every two cars sold is an EV.
This milestone is particularly significant, considering China’s ambitious goal set in 2020 to exceed a 50% EV penetration rate by 2035, which seemed distant at the time when the penetration rate was only 5.8%.
As sustainable development deepens, the global demand for EV products, services, and technologies has grown significantly, according to a new KPMG report on Chinese new energy enterprises “going global.”
China plays a crucial role in promoting global green and low-carbon development. Its new energy industry has not only achieved remarkable success in the domestic market but is also actively expanding into the international market, enhancing the energy industry’s level of internationalisation, as noted in the report.
“This contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to the realisation of global green-development goals.”
Timur Gul, chief energy technology officer of the International Energy Agency, said carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector account for over one-fifth of total global emissions and are a major source of pollution in urban areas.
The good news is that even under the current policy environment, oil consumption in the transportation sector will reach its peak within this decade, and the key driver of this transition is the electrification of road transport, according to Gul.
He stated that the robust growth of the EV market is pivotal for reaching global climate objectives. He highlighted that for governments worldwide, the EV market presents escalating opportunities.
These extend beyond climate improvement and air pollution reduction to encompass economic growth and the fulfillment of industrial targets.
Aion, an EV brand under China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), has become one of the fastest-growing automotive brands globally. This success is attributed to its comprehensive in-house research and development in the domains of EVs and intelligent connected vehicles.
GAC Aion general manager Gu Huinan emphasised the company’s commitment to bringing high-quality, intelligent and valuable products to the local markets and driving local automotive industry development.
In 2022, Aion’s smart eco-factory achieved zero carbon emissions and was honoured as the Global Lighthouse Network’s sole EV manufacturer member in December 2023.
The GLN was formed when the World Economic Forum teamed up with McKinsey & Co in 2018 to identify the most innovative leaders in manufacturing. — Xinhua
