On September 17, a news from the industry came out:

All railway bureau group companies and China Railway Special Cargo Company:

Since October 1st, the statistics of new energy vehicle shipments have been carried out. At present, the National Railway Group has no restrictions on the transportation of new energy vehicles, whether it is using JSQ vehicles or containers, whether it is domestic transportation or international combined transportation. All bureaus are requested to do a good job in transportation organization.

In addition, the entire train of JSQ vehicles has been included in the statistics of China-Europe freight trains and can be used for the export plan of China-Europe freight trains.

National Railway Group Corporation

September 17, 2022

Subsequently, some freight forwarding companies began to release the promotion of new energy vehicles on the China-Europe train transportation.

It can be said that this decision responds to the warm expectations of the market in the past two years.

According to public reports, this voice first came from a proposal brought by Li Shufu, chairman of Geely Holding Group at the two sessions in early 2021. Li Shufu called for the appropriate revision of railway transportation standards, so that electric vehicles and lithium battery parts can be transported efficiently, safely and economically through railways in compliance with laws and regulations. Management regulations; new energy vehicle transportation trains will be opened in a timely manner as needed to meet the "going global" of China's new energy vehicles and the growing market demand in Europe.

By the end of June 2022, there were 310 million vehicles in the country, of which 10.01 million were new energy vehicles, accounting for 3.23% of the total number of vehicles. From January to August 2022, 340,000 new energy vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 97.4%; new energy vehicle sales accounted for 22.9% of all vehicle sales.

As soon as the news of the China Railway Group came out, many industry professionals shared their views with the exploration of the new Silk Road.

Brian, manager of Dachser, a German logistics company, said that the growth rate of Chinese OEMs entering overseas markets is astonishing, and Europe is one of the most concerned markets for new energy OEMs. Earlier this year, Xiaopeng Motors announced its official entry into Europe. In August, both BYD and Great Wall Motors announced the entry of new energy vehicles into Europe. In addition, SAIC, Dongfeng, FAW, Geely and other brands are also making efforts in Europe.

He said: "This decision shows that the National Standardization Administration and the railway industry supervision and management department of the State Council attach great importance to the export of new energy vehicles. At the same time, it proves that the work of various departments is very efficient. We are very happy to see the policy implemented so quickly."

Mr. Zhang, a sales manager of a logistics company, said: "In terms of economy, stability, energy conservation and environmental protection, new energy vehicles are very suitable for railway transportation. With the rapid development of China's new energy vehicle industry in recent years, if railways can be used The transportation of new energy vehicles is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for my country's railway transportation industry."

Regarding the market size of new energy vehicle railway transportation, Brian predicts that the annual capacity of railways will reach 60,000 units in the next 3 years. If this number is converted into the China-Europe train, it will be 350 trains (container transportation). The factors he considered include:

1. The compound annual growth rate of export new energy vehicles is more than 10%;

2. The price range of new energy vehicles is relatively large, and 1/3 of the exported vehicles are transported by trains;

3. Considering the variety of models, each 40-foot container is estimated to be loaded with 3.5 units.

Brian said: "New energy vehicles will become another main product after notebook computers and white goods. I believe that each train platform will also rely on its own advantages to strengthen cooperation with new energy OEMs, and we will see more The China-Europe Railway Express special train for new energy vehicles.”

Mr. Chen, the business director who is engaged in the operation of the train, believes: "There is a huge market space for new energy vehicles to replace and update fuel vehicles. Moreover, the logistics demand of new energy vehicles is higher than that of small products such as laptops and mobile phones. The incomparable scale will provide large-scale logistics for the release of domestic and international railway transportation capacity."

Manager Liu of another freight forwarding company believes that this is good for the "Belt and Road" and the China-Europe train market, as well as China's new energy vehicle industry. Manager Liu predicts that the company will have more than 20 new energy vehicle export trains by the end of the year. 

Sun Zongguo, deputy dean of the Logistics Research Institute of the China Transportation Association in Beijing, said that the country's liberalization of railway transportation of new energy vehicles is a requirement to give full play to the advantages of railways to reduce costs and increase efficiency, develop green transportation, stabilize the economy, promote consumption, and promote foreign trade to resist risks. It is also an innovation. Requirements of the logistics organization.