Chinese EV makers recover in May but competition remains fierce amid overcapacity woes

Sales of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in China recovered on solid footing in May, as new models fitted with higher-performance batteries and more advanced driver assistance systems drew consumers amid intensified competition.Although top performers last month have shored up EV makers’ confidence in the market, “not all players can benefit from the government incentives because overcapacity remains a big concern”, said Steve Shi, a manager with Juchen Auto Trade, an auto service firm.Zeekr delivered 34,377 units to customers in May, up 8.2 per cent from the previous record set in April. The deliveries represented an 81.8 per cent jump from the same period in 2025.The brand recently launched new models such as a refreshed 009 multipurpose vehicle and a limited edition 001 sedan to lure customers away from rivals like Tesla.Visitors sit inside the Leapmotor D19 SUV during the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China), in Beijing, April 24, 2026. Photo: ReutersLeapmotor reported sales of 81,569 EVs last month, 14.3 per cent higher than its previous record of 71,387 units in April, and 81 per cent higher year on year.