Hidden cost of China’s electric car boom, record-breaking week for sales: 7 EV reads

We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. The hidden cost of China’s electric car boom: a spiralling roadworks billChina’s rapid transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has been widely hailed as an economic success story. But it is also creating a serious headache for the country’s local governments, which are tasked with maintaining one of the world’s largest road networks.2. EVs capture two-thirds of China’s car market in record-breaking weekVisitors inspect a BYD Seagull at this year’s Auto China in Beijing. electric vehicles accounted for a record 66.7 per cent of new car sales in mainland China during the first week of June. Photo: ReutersEVs accounted for a record 66.7 per cent of new car sales in mainland China during the first week of June, the latest sign that the country’s battery-powered carmakers are benefiting from the global energy crisis.3. China’s CATL bets big on sodium-ion batteries amid lithium volatilityChina’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), the world’s top lithium-ion battery maker, plans a major boost in production of sodium-based cells, a move that will help it navigate volatility in material prices while affecting both the EV and grid-storage sectors.4. Trump likes Canada’s Chinese EV deal, Carney says after chat caught on hot micCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to US President Donald Trump during the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on Tuesday. Photo: dpaUS President Donald Trump is happy with Canada’s arrangement to allow a capped number of Chinese EVs to be imported at a low-tariff rate, Prime Minister Mark Carney said.5. Chinese EV makers debut right-hand drive models for Southeast Asian pushChina’s EV makers are using Hong Kong’s annual auto expo this week to signal their ambitions in the Southeast Asian market, with some brands rolling out right-hand drive models for the region’s roads.6. Motorsport becomes new battleground as Geely and BYD look to sharpen imageThe WSBK pits modified versions of road-legal production motorcycles against each other across three classes – WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSPB. Photo: XinhuaBillionaire Li Shufu, owner and chairman of Geely Auto, China’s second-largest carmaker, plans to bring the Superbike World Championship (WSBK) to the country, banking on the success of a home-grown motorcycle brand in competition.7. Hong Kong emerging as the proving ground for China’s global smart-car ambitionsAt least 14 new smart vehicles – including both right- and left-hand-drive models – are making their debut at the International Automobile and Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong this week, as Chinese carmakers use the city to gauge overseas demand and showcase their latest technologies.Further Reading