China Dominates Global EV and Clean Energy Race as US Falters
July 10, 2025
China has established itself as the global leader in electric vehicle (EV) technology, surpassing the US in scale, innovation, and quality, with domestic companies like BYD and NIO capturing over half of the market.
China's investments in renewables, energy storage, nuclear power, and grid development have tripled since 2015, making it the dominant force in clean energy and outspending the rest of the world in nuclear energy.
The country has made significant strides in renewable capacity, installing nearly 900 gigawatts of solar power by the end of 2024 and adding 198 GW in just the first five months of 2025, surpassing California's entire grid capacity.
Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD and NIO develop advanced, affordable vehicles rapidly, with models such as the BYD Seagull costing around $8,000, a stark contrast to the US average EV price of over $57,000.
Costs for renewable energy technologies in China are decreasing, with lithium-ion battery prices dropping from $137 per kilowatt-hour in 2020 to under $60 in 2025, bolstering their manufacturing resilience.
China controls 70-90% of the global lithium-ion battery supply chain through companies like CATL and BYD, and holds a strong position in rare earth minerals critical for clean energy technologies.
China's government has played a pivotal role through policies, subsidies, and infrastructure investments, fostering rapid EV growth and renewable capacity expansion, unlike the US which has seen less consistent policy support.
In contrast, the US has reduced support for solar and wind energy via new tax and spending bills, delaying or canceling over 80% of planned capacity additions amid rising energy demand.
If the US does not reverse its current strategy, it risks falling behind in the EV race, which it initially helped to start, potentially losing its leadership in clean energy and manufacturing sectors.
Experts warn that the US is losing its dominance in key energy sectors due to policy shifts, while China continues to lead in global energy development, including nuclear power, with plans for 34 gigawatts of new reactors.
China ranks second only to the US in nuclear power generation and plans to significantly outpace other nations with new reactors, further cementing its energy leadership.
The global shift toward EV adoption is strong, with countries like Norway and the UK setting ambitious targets for electric vehicle integration, highlighting the worldwide momentum.
Summary based on 3 sources
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Sources

MIT Technology Review • Jul 9, 2025
China’s energy dominance in three charts
The National • Jul 7, 2025
China, not the US, is dominating clean energy output
Supercar Blondie • Jul 8, 2025
Why China’s car technology is miles ahead of America’s for EVs and how it will only get further apart – Supercar Blondie