China NEV Exports Hit Record 430,000 Units in April, More Than Doubling Year-on-Year

China exported 430,000 new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in April 2026, a year-on-year increase of 110%, according to Chinese industry data reported by electrive and Electrek. Over the first four months of 2026, total Chinese NEV exports reached approximately 1.4 million units — more than double the same period in 2025. Exports accounted for close to one-third of China's NEV wholesale sales in April, up sharply from roughly 20% in April 2025, reflecting a deliberate shift by manufacturers to compensate for weakening domestic demand: domestic NEV sales fell 10.8% year-on-year in the same month. The export surge is partly driven by Chinese automakers building production capacity inside Europe to sidestep trade barriers. BYD is ramping output at its plant in Szeged, Hungary, and has been reported to be considering additional European manufacturing capacity, including facilities formerly operated by Stellantis. XPeng has already produced its first locally assembled P7+ at Magna Steyr's plant in Graz, Austria. Chinese-built EVs now account for approximately 22% of EV sales in Europe in 2026, up from 19% in 2025, even after the European Commission introduced a minimum-price undertaking mechanism in January 2026 to replace the punitive tariff regime imposed in October 2024.