Chinese leading electric car manufacturer BYD received direct state subsidies of approximately EUR 220 million in 2020, rising to EUR 2.1 billion in 2022. In terms of business revenues, direct subsidies increased from 1.1 percent in 2020 to 3.5 percent in 2022. This is the result of an investigaton by Germany’s Kiel Institute For The World Economy.
Additionally, BYD receives significantly more purchase premiums for electric cars in China compared to other domestic manufacturers like GAC or foreign companies producing locally, such as Tesla or VW’s joint ventures, the study says.
However, the figures clearly understate the true scale and scope of green technology subsidies in China, ss BYD also benefits from subsidies to battery producers through lower input prices, as well as subsidies to buyers of battery electric vehicles, thus stimulating demand.
China’s massive state subsidies are not limited to EV cars. According to a very conservative estimate, industrial subsidies in China amounted to around EUR 221 billion or 1.73% of Chinese GDP in 2019.
The authors urge the European Union to engage in negotiations with the Beijing government amidst the recently initiated anti-subsidy proceeding against imports of electric vehicles from China, aiming to persuade China to withdraw subsidies particularly harmful to the EU. Given China’s current macroeconomic weakness, its relative strength in green technology sectors, and its tensions with the US, the authors see a realistic chance of successful negotiations.
Next week, German chancellor is visiting China, accompanied by an induszry delegation.
BYD is the one which is ‘alive’ as they live heavily on state subsidies (their subsidies have at least ten-fold since 2020).
this just sounds fantastic to me. every country that makes EV’s should be heavily subsidizing them. You’re making capitalism look worse and worse, are you gonna go after American libraries for not being profitable enough and needing state funding?
