Analysis of the Impact of the 12th China EV 100 Forum on 2026 EV Industry Investment Opportunities and Policy Directions

Based on currently available information, I analyze the potential impact of the 12th China EV 100 Forum on the 2026 EV industry investment opportunities and policy directions:

According to the report released by the China EV 100 Forum, China’s new energy vehicle market is still in a stage of rapid development [2]. It is expected that new energy vehicle sales (including exports) will reach 16.5 million units in 2025, with a growth rate of around 30%, and domestic market penetration rate will exceed 55%. By 2030, China’s new energy vehicle market penetration rate will further rise to over 70% [2].

Zhang Yongwei, Secretary-General of the China EV 100 Forum, stated that by 2025, two-thirds of newly sold cars in mainland China will be equipped with L2-level or higher autonomous driving capabilities [1]. Approximately 15 million new cars will be equipped with preliminary autonomous driving technology, including models priced below 100,000 RMB [1].

At the 2025 EV 100 Forum, Wan Gang, Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, suggested accelerating the large-scale road access of L3-level autonomous driving vehicles [3]. This indicates that the policy level will focus on supporting the commercialization process of high-level autonomous driving, including establishing product access testing standards for high-level autonomous driving intelligent connected vehicles based on functional classification, and formulating and revising relevant traffic safety laws and regulations [3].

Policies will focus on integrating the construction needs of smart connected infrastructure into urban renewal and construction-related plans, promoting efficient coordination between digital infrastructure such as 5G communication, roadside perception, and high-precision maps and digital construction in related fields [3].

According to Cinda Securities’ forecast, China’s lithium battery market demand will reach 2332 GWh by 2026, an increase of 108.6% compared to the 2023 market demand [2]. The continuous expansion of the new energy vehicle consumer market will accelerate the release of market demand for core components such as batteries [2].

Intelligence has become a new competitive battlefield for automakers [1]. The accelerated commercialization of L3-level autonomous driving will bring broad market space for smart car-related enterprises [3]. It is recommended to pay attention to investment opportunities in the smart driving field promoted by L3 commercialization, FSD entry into China, etc. [3].

Policy benefits are frequent: the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council plans to restructure whole-vehicle central enterprises to increase industrial concentration; the Ministry of Commerce further promotes car trade-in to help expand the new energy vehicle market [3]. All these bring development opportunities for new energy vehicle enterprises.

Major technological innovation achievements of China’s new energy vehicles continue to emerge; frontier technology fields such as smart driving and solid-state batteries are accelerating transformation and realizing large-scale application [2]. A survey by consulting firm AlixPartners shows that the average R&D cycle of Chinese electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid models is 1.6 years, far better than the average 5.4 years of European and American traditional car companies [2].

Chinese electric vehicle enterprises are accelerating their international layout. For example, BYD has launched the Denza luxury brand in Australia and plans to expand globally in Europe, Asia and South America [4][6]. This internationalization trend brings overseas market opportunities for related industry chain enterprises.

Chinese enterprises maintain a leading position in battery technology. BYD recently extended its electric vehicle battery warranty to 8 years/250,000 km, surpassing Tesla’s standards [5], which reflects the strength of Chinese enterprises in technological innovation and consumer confidence building.

1. Policy Beneficiary Stocks
   : Focus on enterprises with technical advantages in L3-level autonomous driving, smart connected infrastructure construction and other fields
2. Battery Industry Chain
   : Related enterprises benefiting from new energy vehicle sales growth and battery demand expansion
3. Technologically Leading Enterprises
   : Companies with breakthroughs in frontier technology fields such as smart driving and solid-state batteries

1. Enterprises with International Layout
   : Whole-vehicle and component enterprises with overseas market expansion capabilities
2. Technological Innovation Enterprises
   : Companies with advantages in R&D efficiency and technological innovation
3. Industry Chain Integration Enterprises
   : Enterprises that can optimize the industry chain through technical cooperation and mergers and acquisitions

Investors need to pay attention to factors such as policy fluctuation risk, raw material price increase risk, and terminal demand lower than expected risk [3]. At the same time, with intensified competition, enterprises’ profitability may face pressure; it is necessary to pay attention to enterprises’ cost control and technological innovation capabilities.

[1] China Foreign Investment Report 2025 - https://cif.mofcom.gov.cn/cif/html/upload/20251110093026894_中国外商投资报告2025.pdf

[2] Tariff Restructures Supply Chain, Smart Driving Accelerates Commercialization - https://pdf.dfcfw.com/pdf/H3_AP202504071652752051_1.pdf

[3] Tariff Restructures Supply Chain, Smart Driving Accelerates Commercialization - https://pdf.dfcfw.com/pdf/H3_AP202504071652752051_1.pdf

[4] BYD dealers to service Denza prestige 4WDs in ‘select’ rural areas - https://www.drive.com.au/news/byd-dealers-to-service-denza-prestige-4wds-in-select-rural-areas/

[5] BYD increases EV battery warranty to 8 years/250,000 km, surpassing Tesla’s standards - https://electrek.co/2025/12/15/byd-increases-ev-battery-warranty-to-8-years-250000-km-surpassing-teslas/

[6] Denza to prove itself in Australia as first step in global expansion - https://www.drive.com.au/news/denza-to-prove-itself-in-australia-as-first-step-in-global-expansion/