People visit the booth of Li Auto during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]
China's green transport transition is moving toward a more diversified energy mix, with battery electric vehicles being complemented by alternative fuels such as methanol, particularly in commercial and long-haul applications.
Future mobility systems should be understood as an integrated energy and transport network rather than a stand-alone automotive transformation, said Chan Ching-Chuen, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, at a recent industry forum.
China's rapid adoption of electric vehicles over the past decade has laid a strong foundation for transport decarbonization, but structural challenges remain in commercial transport, heavy-duty logistics and regions with complex operating conditions.
New energy vehicles accounted for over 50 percent of China's overall vehicle market in the first five months of this year, while penetration in the commercial vehicle segment stood at 28.2 percent, according to Zhang Yongwei, president of the China EV100 think tank.
