China's NEV Exports to Central Asia Surge 62% in May
In May 2026, China's new energy vehicle exports to Central Asia jumped 62% YoY to a record high. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan led the growth, driven by policy incentives and surging market demand.
In May 2026, China's new energy vehicle exports to Central Asia jumped 62% YoY to a record high. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan led the growth, driven by policy incentives and surging market demand.
The Kazakh government officially extended zero import duties on electric vehicles through end-2028, alongside a charging infrastructure subsidy program. This policy will directly reduce Chinese EV prices in Kazakhstan by 15-20%, potentially pushing annual imports past 200,000 units.
Kyrgyzstan Customs issued new regulations dramatically simplifying Chinese car import clearance, compressing average clearance from 7 days to 3 days, eliminating duplicate inspections, and implementing digital "single document" processing. Estimated annual logistics cost savings: ~$20 million.
Li Auto L7 EREV officially launched in Russia with 1,250km combined WLTC range and 210km EV range. A dedicated thermal management system was developed for Russia's -40°C extreme cold, making Li Auto the first large-scale Chinese EREV brand in the market.
In May 2026, Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, received its first batch of Chinese-made pure electric buses. These vehicles will enter urban bus line operations, marking a concrete step in the electrification of public transport across Central Asia and opening a new channel for Chinese NEV commercial vehicle exports.
The Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV achieved 3,086 orders in its first week in Russia, setting a record for Chinese PHEV single-week orders. Cold-climate adaptation and long range became key selling points.
China's Ministry of Commerce released draft facilitation measures for used car exports to Central Asia, proposing simplified export licensing, unified inspection standards, and mutual recognition mechanisms with destination countries. This signals the transition from "wild growth" to institutional standardization.