Summary of national-level policies for the special vehicle industry; Summary of local-level policies for the special vehicle industry; Interpretation of national development goals for the special vehicle industry

1. Policy Timeline

The policy evolution of China’s special vehicle industry centers on industrial upgrading, low-carbon transition, intelligence and digitalization. It reflects the country’s emphasis on industrial upgrading, environmental protection and technological advancement. With continuous policy improvement and industrial development, the special vehicle sector is expected to achieve greater progress in intelligent and green transformation. Below are the key milestones of policy development for the special vehicle industry:

2. Summary and Interpretation of National-level Special Vehicle Industry Policies

—— Summary of National-level Special Vehicle Industry Policies

Since 2015, policies for China’s special vehicle industry have been released at an increasing frequency. Under the overarching goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, the State Council issued Made in China 2025, directing the special vehicle industry toward low-carbon development. The Intelligent Manufacturing Development Plan (2016-2020), issued in 2016, highlighted that the sector should pursue intelligent and digital development. Alongside wider adoption of new energy vehicles, the central government successively rolled out the Opinions on Comprehensively Promoting the Development of Green Transportation, the Three-Year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky Defense Battle, and the Implementation Plan for Promoting the Renewal and Upgrade of Key Consumer Goods and Facilitating Resource Recycling (2019-2020), all stressing the importance of new energy special vehicles. In 2020, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers together with the China Society of Automotive Engineers released the 14th Five-Year Special Development Plan for the Special Vehicle Industry, outlining the future trend of intelligence and digitalization for special vehicles. In 2021, the State Council issued the Comprehensive Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction in the 14th Five-Year Period, requiring a higher proportion of new energy vehicles for urban public transit, taxis, logistics and sanitation sweepers. Public institutions are prioritized to phase out old vehicles and purchase energy-saving and new-energy vehicles. In 2023, the State Council released the Guiding Opinions on Further Building a High-Quality Charging Infrastructure System. It proposes accelerating the construction of dedicated charging stations at parking hubs to meet charging demands of special vehicles such as public transit, taxis, road passenger transport and logistics vehicles.

—— Interpretation of the Catalogue for the Guidance of Industrial Structure Adjustment (2019 Version)

On August 27, 2019, the National Development and Reform Commission reviewed and approved the Catalogue for the Guidance of Industrial Structure Adjustment (2019 Version), which came into force on January 1, 2020. The catalogue encourages new energy vehicles, their key components, and steel for energy-saving and new-energy vehicles, offering guidance for the development of new energy special vehicles.

—— Interpretation of the Classification of Strategic Emerging Industries (2018)

On October 12, 2018, the National Bureau of Statistics issued the Classification of Strategic Emerging Industries (2018), effective upon release. Under this classification, high-pressure hydrogen cylinders for new energy vehicles, castings for automobiles and new energy vehicles, and high-precision copper alloys for new energy vehicles are listed as key products and services in the manufacturing sector of strategic emerging industries, marking priority directions for new energy vehicle development.

—— Interpretation of National Development Goals for the Special Vehicle Industry

The 14th Five-Year Special Development Plan for the Special Vehicle Industry, released in November 2020, focuses on high-quality development of the sector. It aims to drive technological progress and product upgrading. Leveraging China’s complete automotive industrial system and growing comprehensive strength, the plan centers on digitalization and intelligence. Under the new industrial development landscape, it defines key directions and pathways to achieve sound, sustainable and high-quality growth for the special vehicle industry.

3. Summary and Interpretation of Provincial and Municipal Policies

—— Summary of Special Vehicle Industry Policies across 31 Provincial-level Regions

According to the 14th Five-Year Special Development Plan for the Special Vehicle Industry published by CAAM in November 2020, the core guideline for China’s special vehicle industry during the 14th Five-Year period is to pursue high-quality development across the whole industrial chain, and build special vehicle industrial clusters with complete supply chains, diversified product lines, vibrant markets, strong competitiveness and distinctive cluster features. Major provincial regions have rolled out their respective development plans for local special vehicle sectors. Beijing, Guangdong, Hunan and other provinces and municipalities prioritize the promotion and application of new energy special vehicles, while other regions have also launched relevant arrangements:

—— Interpretation of Development Goals for the Special Vehicle Industry in 31 Provincial-level Regions

Currently, development goals for the special vehicle industry across China’s provinces and municipalities mainly focus on accelerating the development of new energy special vehicles and supporting charging infrastructure construction.