Electric divide widens as Chinese OEMs continue to cut prices
A divide in the transition to electric vehicles has emerged as Chinese OEMs continue to accelerate ahead of their Western counterparts in the production of EVs.
This is according to JATO Dynamics’ latest report, ‘EV price gap: A divide in the global automotive industry’, which explores how Chinese automakers have made huge strides forward in their ability to produce competitively priced EVs – sparking a shift in market dynamics.
According to JATO data, while the average retail price of electric cars available in China was 37% and 26% higher than those available in Europe and the US in 2015, this trend has since reversed. In H1 2022, the average retail price of a BEV in China fell to €31,829, while rising to €55,821 in Europe and €63,864 in the US over the same period. A year later and the price gap has further widened, with the average retail price of an electric car available in China now less than half the price seen in both Europe and the USA. In H1 2023, an electric car cost €31,165 in China, €66,864 in Europe, and €68,023 in the US.
Despite efforts by Western OEMs to produce more affordable EVs, these models continue to cost more than their gasoline and diesel equivalents. Today, consumers would need to spend €18,285 and €24,400 to buy an EV in Europe and the US, respectively – this is 92% and 146% more than they would need to pay for the cheapest combustion car available. In comparison, in China the cheapest electric vehicle costs 8% less than the cheapest ICE equivalent.
The affordability of its EV offering has also driven China’s growth in emerging markets, where its OEMs have become the preferred choice among consumers. In H1 2023, Chinese vehicles accounted for the majority of BEV sales in Israel (61%), Russia (91%), and Thailand (79%), and had a market share of more than a quarter in Brazil (27%), Malaysia (28%), Mexico (30%), the Philippines (33%), Chile (27%), and Indonesia (29%).
China’s EVs are not only competing on price, but also in terms of quality and power. Today, China can produce and sell an electric car with 200-300 horsepower (hp) for an average of €30,500/$33,150. For example, BYD offers its Seal – a midsize sedan – with 204 hp on its Elite trim in China for just €24,106/$26,197. In Europe, the closest rival in price is a Renault Twingo Equilibre – a city-car produced in Slovenia – priced at €24,320/$26,430 with just 81 hp.
Alexander Lutz, Managing Director, Polestar Italy, commented: “While brand heritage and quality is important, OEMs must ensure that their EVs are not only high performing, but also sustainable and enjoyable to drive. Focusing on efficiency, in terms of range per/kWh, and full lifecycle emissions is non-negotiable. Neglecting sustainability would compromise the entire electric transition for any OEM.”
A model for every market
In addition to its focus on affordability, China’s success comes as a result of its production across a range of models and different segments. With global ambitions, China’s 170 local car brands have made efforts to ensure they have targeted every segment with models suited to the preferences of consumers across the world. This approach differs to that taken by Western OEMs, which have historically positioned EVs within the premium segments.
By focusing on a range of models across numerous segments, China has not only managed to reduce the average price of its EV offering but has also kept price tags low where others continue to rise. In China, consumers can choose from 235 different EVs, however in Europe and the US, the range is far smaller with 135 and 51 models available respectively in each market.
With annual domestic sales reaching over 25 million units, there is more than enough room for China’s local car brands to produce additional models, unlike in developed economies where markets are generally more mature and therefore saturated.
How is China able to produce EVs so cheaply?
Over the past decade, the Chinese government has provided robust support for the domestic electric vehicle industry through the New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2021 – 2035), with subsidies totalling $57 billion between 2016 and 2022.
Consumers in China have also benefited from significant tax breaks when buying an electric car. Almost all EVs sold in China are exempt from a vehicle purchase tax, making them more affordable for drivers and boosting overall consumer demand and revenue for automakers.
While many European countries do offer some form of financial support to aid the growth of their electric vehicle market, the benefits and incentives on offer differ widely. For instance, in the US, consumers can qualify for a tax credit of $7,500 under the condition that final assembly of the vehicle takes place in the US.
China’s advantage over the US and Europe in the production of cheap electric vehicles can also be attributed to the country’s comparatively low labour costs. While European countries typically have some of the highest labour costs in the world with an hourly minimum wage of around €30, Beijing has the highest hourly minimum wage in China at just RMB 26.4 or US$3.7.
Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics, commented: “As China becomes an increasingly influential player on the global automotive stage, its brands are becoming more visible in countries where, just a few years ago, consumers would not have considered them a viable alternative.
“This is a trend that has been driven by the relative affordability of its models in comparison to those produced by its Western peers, and while the US and the EU have responded to the challenge posed by China through major policy decisions, policy alone will not be enough to address the issue of affordability. Rather, Western OEMs must shift their focus towards the research and development of new technologies and production processes designed specifically for a fully electrified future.”
