China Sets 2030 Clean Car and Autonomous Vehicle Targets Under New Plan

Nine Chinese government ministries, led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, have jointly released the 15th Five-Year Plan for the intelligent connected new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. The blueprint targets that by 2030, NEVs will account for 70% of new domestic passenger car sales and 40% of new commercial vehicle sales. It also outlines targets for large-scale deployment of highly automated driving on highways and urban expressways, aims to cultivate multiple domestic carmakers in the global top ten by sales, and introduces measures to rein in capacity while revamping auto insurance.

The plan establishes quantitative baselines for the next phase of China's automotive industrial policy through 2030. By extending high penetration targets from passenger cars to commercial vehicles and formalizing goals for autonomous driving rollout, the guidelines will direct state resources, supply chain realignments, and regulatory approvals across vehicle manufacturing, software integration, and charging infrastructure.

Nine Chinese government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, have unveiled the development plan for intelligent connected new energy vehicles covering the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030, state media reported on September 11. Under the framework, China aims to consolidate its full industrial supply chain and establish itself among the world's leading automotive manufacturing powers by 2030. The strategy establishes specific domestic sales benchmarks: new energy vehicles—comprising battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell models—are projected to reach 70% of new passenger vehicle sales and 40% of new commercial vehicle sales in the domestic market by 2030. The blueprint sets efficiency benchmarks for passenger vehicles, calling for an average fuel consumption of 3.3 liters per 100 kilometers for internal combustion models and an average power consumption of approximately 11.5 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers for pure electric passenger cars. The sector as a whole is tasked with achieving carbon peaking prior to 2030 while lifting labor productivity by 15% compared to 2025 levels. On the technological front, the plan targets the commercial rollout of vehicles with automated driving capabilities. Highly autonomous driving systems are expected to operate across highways, urban expressways, and designated surface streets, with the policy specifying that such systems must demonstrate safety performance substantially superior to human drivers. Industrial consolidation remains a core priority. The ministries aim to foster several domestic vehicle manufacturers that rank among the top ten globally by sales volume, alongside multiple Chinese parts suppliers within the global top one hundred. Amid ongoing price competition and margin compression across the sector, the guidelines mandate capacity monitoring and early-warning mechanisms to curb disorderly expansion and preserve market order. Beyond production, the plan outlines measures to expand the broader automotive ecosystem. Regulators intend to accelerate the rollout of fast-charging networks, address rural charging deficits, and support connections between connected vehicles, smart robotics, wearable devices, and smart home appliances. The policy also calls for targeted reforms in vehicle circulation and consumer protection, including efforts to reduce repair costs, promote vehicle customization and rentals, and optimize baseline commercial insurance pricing for new energy vehicles.