Foreign EV battery manufacturers cleared to set up in China
Chinese free-trade zones in Shanghai, Guangdong, Tianjin, and Fujian will soon allow foreign companies to establish wholly-owned electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing plants and petrol stations within the zones. Previously, strict limitations were placed on foreign ownership stakes in EV battery manufacturing plants in China. The move is aimed at helping the country bridge the gap between current production output and ever-growing demand resulting from the fight against pollution. The change in regulation, which may be rolled out nationwide in the future, according to analysts, will also intensify competition for local players such as BYD.

Foreign wholly-owned petrol stations will be allowed to operate in four pilot zones after the State Council relaxed rules on foreign direct investment. Photo: Xinhua