China's NEV Exports to Central Asia Surge 62% in May

1. Record Export Numbers

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), total NEV exports to the five Central Asian countries reached 48,000 units in May 2026, up 62% YoY and 18% MoM. This marks an all-time monthly high for Chinese NEV exports to the region.

Country breakdown: - Kazakhstan: 19,000 units (39.6% share), +71% YoY - Uzbekistan: 16,000 units (33.3% share), +58% YoY - Kyrgyzstan: 6,000 units (12.5% share), +45% YoY - Tajikistan: 4,000 units (8.3% share), +52% YoY - Turkmenistan: 3,000 units (6.3% share), +38% YoY

2. Growth Drivers

On the policy front, Kazakhstan extended zero import duties on EVs through 2028, while Uzbekistan offers 5-year tax exemptions for locally assembled NEVs. On the market side, Central Asia's vehicle ownership exceeded 5.5 million in 2025, growing at 9% annually.

By product mix, PHEVs account for 47%, BEVs 41%, and EREVs 12%. Hybrid models are more popular in Central Asia due to harsh winter conditions.

3. Brand Landscape

BYD, Chery, and Changan rank as the top three exporters, collectively holding 68% market share. BYD leverages its Uzbekistan factory's localized production, with monthly capacity surpassing 5,000 units. Chery maintains strong sales through its Russia+Central Asia dual-track strategy. Changan Deepal opened its first 4S store in Kazakhstan, accelerating channel expansion.

4. Infrastructure Catch-Up

Charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly. Almaty and Astana added 120 new fast-charging stations, while Tashkent built Central Asia's largest charging complex with 80 fast chargers. However, charger density remains less than 1/10 of China's, representing a key bottleneck for pure-electric adoption.

5. Outlook

With Central Asian governments doubling down on energy transition policies and Chinese OEMs ramping up local production, full-year 2026 NEV exports to Central Asia could exceed 500,000 units. For export enterprises, capturing the policy window and building after-sales networks will be critical to sustaining market leadership. EX1000.COM continues tracking Central Asian automotive trade dynamics, providing data support and channel connections for outbound companies.