Global shift toward electric mobility: World Electric Vehicle Congress 2026 opens in Haikou
The transition to electric mobility is becoming a defining trend in the global automotive industry, bringing technological innovation increasingly into focus alongside sustainable development, supply-chain security and international cooperation. Against this backdrop, Haikou is hosting discussions on the next stage of growth for the global electric vehicle sector.
The World Electric Vehicle Congress 2026 opened Tuesday in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. The event, held at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, has brought together global automakers, leading research institutions and industry representatives.
Participants are discussing technological innovation, supply-chain security and the growing role of artificial intelligence in vehicles. The congress is also focused on goals including achieving a 50-percent share for electric vehicles in the global automotive market by 2035, driving industry growth through innovation and strengthening international partnerships, particularly in connection with the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
This year's program includes a main forum, 10 thematic sessions, three closed-door presentations and six parallel events.
Guo Shougang, director general of the First Department of Machinery Industry under China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said the global electric vehicle market is experiencing rapid growth. The latest data show that electric vehicles now account for more than 25 percent of global vehicle sales.
"We must respect the objective laws of the automotive industry, under which greater efficiency is achieved through the global division of labor and cooperation. We oppose protectionism and unilateral actions, and we should jointly build fair, non-discriminatory and predictable trade rules, while safeguarding an open, stable and mutually beneficial economic and trade order," Guo said.
Zhou Hua, deputy director general of the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, said the event brings together global automakers, testing institutions and research resources, creating a platform for international joint research and development as well as comparative testing.
Industry representatives also highlighted Hainan's role in China's transition toward cleaner transportation. The province is advancing clean-energy projects and developing green transportation as part of its efforts to build a clean-energy island, while showcasing new industry platforms at the congress.
"Electric vehicle penetration in the province remains high: three quarters of new vehicles sold in August were electric vehicles. Demand for green transportation is strong, and electric vehicles are now a major driver of vehicle sales growth. The province has more than 310,000 charging stations and more than 110 battery-swapping stations," said Yu Huan, deputy head of the Electric Vehicle Development and Supervision Division of the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Hainan Province.
The three-day congress will open to the public on Thursday. As reported by CCTV+, the event is bringing together international expertise and industry resources to explore the future of electric mobility and expand global cooperation in the sector.
