China has emerged as one of the world’s top electric vehicle producers, backed by national subsidies and interested consumers. One of the companies is eyeing the Jeju market. Mike Balfour reports.
China’s former leader, Deong Xiaoping, designated the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen as the first Special Economic Zone in 1980 in line with his economic reforms and open door policy.

In the downtown area you can easily find electric sedans, buses and taxies.

Most of them are produced by the BYD Auto, a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen.

From 2000, the company began to supply batteries to phone manufacturers and then diversified to include electric vehicles in 2008.

BYD Auto recorded the highest sales in the world last year.

The E6, the flagship of the auto maker, can drive 400 kilometers per charge, which draws customers’ attention.

This is the outcome of the Chinese government’s efforts to make Shenzhen the number one EV city.

INTERVIEW
Eagle Zhao / Representative, BYD Auto
Buses make up only 10 percent of vehicles in Shenzhen, but they release 65 percent of the CO2 emissions. That’s why China is first replacing buses and taxis with EVs.
<이글 자오 /중국 BYD 한국 마케팅 총괄>
"(전체 차량이 10% 밖에 안되는 대중교통이) 환경을 오염시키는 이산화탄소 배출량의 67%를 차지하기 때문에 버스와 택시를 우선적으로 전기자동차로 보급하고 있습니다"

A local taxi business owns 850 electric taxis.

The business is benefiting from the Chinese government’s EV subsidies.

Charging buildings have been constructed, which is a big help for EVs penetration into the automotive market.

BYD Auto is now planning to expand into Jeju as well as the Korean market.

INTERVIEW
Eagle Zhao / Representative, BYD Auto
Jeju is working on both getting more EVs on island roads and pursuing more renewable energy projects. We believe BYD Auto has a chance to be very successful on the island.
<이글 자오 /중국 BYD 한국 마케팅 총괄>
"제주도가 신재생 에너지 산업과 전기차 보급을 적극적으로 추진하고 있기 때문에 저희 BYD가 제주에서 업무를 진행 할 수 있는 기회도 있을 것 같습니다"

The Chinese government is aiming at putting 5 million EVs on roads by 2020.

[reporter]
Mike Balfour

BYD’s technology and perseverance, along with the national government’s full support are making a difference in China.

Mike Balfour, KCTV