The new round of new-energy vehicle development is shifting from a phase of uncertainty and instability to one characterized by substantial, real-world investment. Recently, FAW, SAIC, and Germany’s Volkswagen Group signed a joint statement committing to jointly develop new-energy vehicles in the Chinese market. Volkswagen Group plans to launch more than 15 new electric vehicle models by 2018 and will begin domestic production of many of these models starting in 2016. This collaboration is part of Volkswagen Group’s joint venture, which, from 2014 to 2018, will see an unprecedented level of investment in China’s automotive industry.

Also in Germany, Brilliance and BMW have signed a major order worth up to 1.8 billion euros. The collaborative projects include new technologies, new products, and capacity expansion investments that the joint venture will introduce over the next decade. The cooperation will also focus on comprehensive collaboration in areas such as new-energy vehicles. In the "Global Strategic Alliance Cooperation Agreement" signed between Dongfeng and Peugeot Citroën, there is also a clear commitment to strengthening cooperation globally in core areas of new energy, including the development of new-energy vehicle technologies and the creation of new-energy vehicle models.

In addition, last month Wanxiang Group invested 18 million U.S. dollars to acquire Fisker’s U.S. factory, officially entering the new-energy vehicle industry. Meanwhile, Nanjing Jinlong’s new-energy vehicle project, with an investment of 2 billion yuan in Wuhan, is also being vigorously advanced.

Compared to the previous round of new-energy vehicle development, this round has seen even greater investment enthusiasm and a stronger focus on international cooperation. The longstanding and challenging issue of charging infrastructure has now been addressed with a clearly defined construction timetable. It is reported that over the next two years, nationwide investment in charging infrastructure will exceed 60 billion yuan.