The World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) opened in Haikou on September 22 and will run through September 24. Themed "Transformation & Upgrading, Resilient Growth," the congress is co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology, the People's Government of Hainan Province, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The event brings together global automakers, major supply-chain companies, and leading tech firms to discuss NEV development strategies and explore new international cooperation models for the transition to low-carbon, intelligent mobility.

The congress features a main forum, 10 themed forums, three closed-session meetings, and six concurrent conferences. Aiming to establish itself as a global hub for intelligent connected NEV manufacturing and international services, Hainan has arranged a “1+3” series of events, highlighting industrial practices following the launch of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).

The main forum, “Global Development and the Hainan Free Trade Port — Electrification, Intelligent Transformation, and a Gateway for Automotive Global Expansion,” was held on the morning of September 22. Focusing on the opportunities arising from Hainan FTP policies, the forum examined how the FTP’s institutional advantages can benefit the global automotive industry and encourage closer collaboration between Chinese and international firms in areas such as technology R&D and standards development.

Three themed forums focus on expert advice, industrial development, and urban applications. These include the 2026 Plenary Meeting of the Third Hainan International Expert Advisory Committee on the New Energy Vehicle Industry, the Hainan Intelligent Connected and Special-Purpose Vehicle Manufacturing Development Forum, and the New Energy Vehicle Urban Development Forum.

A new energy vehicle technology and science exhibition is taking place alongside the congress.

More than 20 companies in the global new energy vehicle industry are showcasing their complete vehicles and value-chain innovations, including batteries, electric motors, and electronic control systems, as well as intelligent driving, smart cockpits, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. The exhibition is free and open to the public upon registration.

Hainan continues to lead China in new energy vehicle adoption. Between January and August 2026, NEVs accounted for 66.14% of all new vehicle registrations in the province, the highest among China’s provincial-level regions. The province now has 596,300 NEVs on the road, representing 25.74% of its total vehicle fleet, about 90% above the national average.

During the congress, several major industrial platforms will be officially launched, and a number of key projects in vehicle manufacturing, export vehicle testing, and intelligent connected vehicles are expected to be signed, further supporting the growth of Hainan’s automotive industry.